SCA Tigers Run Past Jersey Shore

Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News

Dave Fegley | October 24, 2026

Southern Columbia controlled game in 56-20 win

Southern Columbia continued to showcase the formula that has made them relevant for so long, using a powerful ground game and a relentless defensive run stopping unit to pull away from Jersey Shore in a 56-20 victory.

The Tigers rushed for 382 yards and seven touchdowns Friday, controlling the line of scrimmage while turning three Jersey Shore fumbles into additional opportunities to extend their advantage.

Southern (8-1) established control early, scoring twice in the opening quarter before adding three more touchdowns in the second to take a commanding 35-7 halftime lead.

In the preseason, this game was expected to be one of the most intriguing ones across the state for Week 9, but the Bulldogs have suffered their share of injuries.

“Southern showed us what consistency is, which is something we have struggled to find at times this year. Injuries have certainly hurt us for sure,” Jersey Shore coach Tom Gravish said following his team’s loss to the state’s top-ranked team in Class 2A. “They are a class act. They do it the right way, and they deserve the recognition that they get. I think this area around District 4 is proud of what they have done.”

Grady Garcia helped set the tone, opening the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run before Ayden Hockenbroch added a 4-yard score late in the first quarter.

Garcia broke loose for a 51-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, answering Jersey Shore’s first touchdown and restoring the Tigers’ two-touchdown cushion. That score was set up by Chase Williams recovering a fumble as the Bulldogs tried to catch Southern off-guard.

“To get all three cylinders working is where we are really starting to peak. Offense, defense, and special teams are all clicking,” said Williams.

Hockenbroch followed with a 15-yard touchdown run before connecting with Jace Malakoski on a 27-yard scoring pass to cap Southern’s first-half surge.

Garcia finished with 184 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, providing the Tigers with another dominant performance on the ground.

“Offensively, I felt we played very well overall. There were some moments where we didn’t execute on running plays, but you have to realize that Jersey Shore is a tough bunch even with some of their key guys injured,” said Southern coach Jim Roth.

Gavin Brown added nine carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Joey Williams rushed for 73 yards and a score on 11 attempts. Hockenbroch accounted for three touchdowns, rushing for two while throwing for another.

Brown, who is trying on a weekly basis to get more confident with his brace after an ACL tear last wrestling season, opened the second half scoring with a 27-yard touchdown run, extending Southern’s lead to 42-7.

“I am just continuing to get more comfortable and trying to get faster and back to a point where I can contribute the best that I can,” Brown said.

Jersey Shore (4-5) continued to battle offensively, finding success through the air despite struggling to establish a consistent ground game.

Nolen Pauling completed 11 of 18 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, with Carter Rhinehart and Dalton Rehrig providing explosive plays for the Bulldogs.

Rhinehart hauled in seven receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns, while Rehrig finished with 71 yards and a score on his lone reception.

“It certainly wasn’t our best game in pass coverage even though we won by a good margin,” Roth said. “They were without one of their top receivers, but No. 3 (Rhinehart) gave us issues in covering him. He was faster than he looked on film, and that could be because he was also injured at a point this year. Pass defense is something we need to get more confident in now.”

The Bulldogs showed their offensive passing game during the third quarter, scoring twice, but Southern continued to answer.

“We will push forward to the next game. We have been dealt with so many injuries where we just keep losing kids, so hopefully we can get more guys healthy moving forward,” Gravish said.

Joey Williams scored on a 14-yard run following Brown’s touchdown, and Orion Wojtowicz added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring for the winning side.

The Tigers didn’t turn the ball over which was another positive as the left Thompson Street Stadium. Penalties have been a talking point amongst the Tiger coaches, but they only committed one in the win.

“It is always nice to go out and play a clean game where turnovers and penalties don’t hurt you,” said Roth.

Southern’s efficiency and ability to control possession proved difficult for the Bulldogs to overcome, as the Tigers continued to demonstrate the balance and physicality that have defined their season. Southern is a win away from getting the top seed in the District 4 playoffs in 2A.

“We took that one hard loss from Mount Carmel, but we have bounced back and can still get that first round bye if we take care of business next week,” Southern defensive tackle Jaden Carter said.

The Bulldogs host Central Mountain to conclude the regular season. The Tigers will travel to Selinsgrove before the playoffs kick off.

“I want to go out and take care of business over there in Selinsgrove,” SCA lineman Cameron Traugh said. “They are having kind of a rough year this year, so we need to go out and play our game and move on into the playoffs and keeping playing until Week 16.”

Southern Columbia 56, Jersey Shore 20

SC — JS

First Downs: 21 — 10

Rushes-yds: 51-382 — 23-48

Passing yds: 80 — 256

Total yds: 462 — 304

Passing (C-A-I): 4-7-0 — 11-18-0

Penalties: 1-10 — 4-35

Fumbles-lost: 0-0 — 3-3

Southern Col. (8-1): 14-21-14-7 — 56

Jersey Shore (4-5): 0-7-13-0 — 20

1st Quarter

SC– Grady Garcia 3 run (Lincoln Billig kick), 8:10.

SC– Ayden Hockenbroch 4 run (Billig kick), 0:52.

2nd Quarter

JS– Carter Rhinehart 23 pass from Nolen Pauling (Carter Rhinehart kick), 6:40.

SC– Garcia 51 run (Billig kick), 6:29.

SC– Hockenbroch 15 run (Billig kick), 3:23.

SC– Jace Malakoski 27 pass from Hockenbroch (Billig kick), 1:17.

3rd Quarter

SC– Gavin Brown 27 run (Billig kick), 7:06.

JS– Dalton Rehrig 71 pass from Pauling (Rhinehart kick), 4:05.

SC– Joey Williams 14 run (Billig kick), 2:54.

JS– Rhinehart 77 pass from Pauling (missed kick), 1:33.

4th Quarter

SC– Orion Wojtowicz 1 run (Billig kick), 5:33.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Southern: Grady Garcia 19-184, 2 TDs; Joey Williams 11-73, TD; Gavin Brown 9-62, TD; Ayden Hockenbroch 3-32, 2 TDs; Kane Cecco 1-9; Orion Wojtowicz 3-8, TD; Lincoln Barnette 1-7; Gavin Trometter 2-6; Jacoby Karlovich 1-2; Ryan Ruckle 1-(-1).

Jersey Shore: Nolen Pauling 8-43; Zeke Sechrist 8-23; Zion Sechrist 2-5; Jackson Hensler 1-5; JJ Jennings 2-3; Team 2-(-31).

PASSING — Southern: Ayden Hockenbroch 4-7-0, 80 yds, TD.

Jersey Shore: Nolen Pauling 11-18-0, 256 yds, 3 TDs.

RECEIVING —

Southern: Blaise Kissinger 2-46; Jace Malakoski 2-34, TD.

Jersey Shore: Carter Rhinehart 7-142, 2 TDs; Dalton Rehrig 1-71, TD; Conner Yingling 1-19; Khani McCray 1-12; Zeke Sechrist 1-12.

Photos By: Noah Hockenbroch