FLEMING AND GARCIA MAKE STATE HISTORY
Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News
Dave Fegley | September 28, 2019
By: Dave Fegley (9–28-19)
Tigers Mangle Mounties 76-6
It doesn’t seem possible that Southern Columbia’s football program can accomplish much more than they already have. The Tigers have held the state record for the most PIAA Championships for over a decade now. Two weeks ago, SCA broke the state record for consecutive regular season victories. They have a senior class that is about as dominant as the United States economy. In their most recent win, their dynamic senior offensive duo made history in a way that has never been done before in our nation’s history while the offense exploded for 10 touchdowns in the opening half.
Southern Columbia’s Julian Fleming and Gaige Garcia each accomplished something during Friday’s win that is about as rare as getting struck by lightning while cashing in a winning Powerball ticket. The senior duo broke three Pennsylvania state records, all in the first half, at Tiger Stadium during a shellacking by the nine-time PIAA Champions. “Both Julian and Gaige are highly competitive, and they play as hard as they can no matter who the opponent is. That is a big reason that they are now at the top of the state’s scoring list. In Julian’s case he now has the most yards as well,” said Tiger head coach Jim Roth. “The most impressive thing for these milestones is that they have accomplished these feats with limited playing time in their careers.”
Fleming, who is the top-rated high school wide receiver in the country, broke two state records against South Williamsport. The Ohio State-bound speedster broke the PA records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for a career. Garcia, who will continue his football and wrestling career at Michigan, broke the state record for career rushing touchdowns. “To be able to break a state record in the same game that one of my best friends also made state history is incredible”, said Garcia who broke the state record for career total touchdowns and career total point earlier in the month. “Julian is like a brother to me. We’ve been playing together since midget football so to share the night together is pretty cool.”
The chances of having a state leader in any major category on the gridiron are extremely slim to begin with. To have two different players, on the same team, in the same graduating class, during the same game, break multiple major all-time records in the Keystone State is beyond comprehension. “It just shows how complete our team is. Everyone that goes out on the field is giving 100% effort on each play. A lot of credit has to go to the linemen that have blocked for Gaige and I during our careers. They don’t get the headlines, but they are a big part in this,” said Fleming.
During the first half, Roth’s Tigers looked as scary as they ever have. “We had as many big plays as I can remember in a half. To score eight times on just thirteen offensive plays, and then a defensive touchdown, I don’t ever remember any of our teams putting together a half like that,” Roth said. At halftime, with the starting defense continuing their shutout streak, the state’s top-ranked team held a commanding 69-0 lead and the senior-duo had their records in hand.
Fleming started off the scoring onslaught early with a 26-yard connection from Preston Zachman. Then, with 9:16 remaining in the opening quarter, Fleming caught a 46-yard hitch pattern and blew past South Williamsport’s defense for his second touchdown. On the play, Fleming remarkably broke both the yardage and touchdown records at the same time. “It was crazy and is something I will be able to look back on. It will mean a lot in a couple of years to look back and see all the other great names of players from Pennsylvania that are on the list,” said Fleming.
To put the Tigers in front 21-0, Zachman recovered a fumble from his linebacker position and returned it 17 yards. Garcia scored his first touchdown with 5:09 left in the opening quarter on a 41-yard dash. His younger brother Gavin put the Tigers in front 35-0 when he took a carry 19 yards to pay dirt. The older Garcia scored the final touchdown of the opening quarter with under a minute remaining on a 54-yard sprint moving SCA in front 42-0.
Gaige Garcia’s record-breaking touchdown came with 9:22 left in the half. He broke off a 70-yard run. “It is a dream come true. Moments like this are why you put so much time and effort into the game of football,” Garcia said. That third trip of his to endzone moved the two-time defending PIAA Champions in front 49-0. The one stat that the Mounties held an advantage on was first downs because the Tigers didn’t have time for the chains to be moved due to their scoring compilation on seemingly every offensive play.
Gavin Garcia extended the lead on a 65-yard touchdown run. Ty Roadarmel got into the scoring column with a one-yard touchdown run followed by a 39-yard score. With 4:14 left in the first half, the defending HSFA Small School National Champions were in front 68-0. From that point, the starters got to rest for the remainder of the game. “Imagine the stats these guys would have if they played in the second half of most games,” said Roth. “Plus they are hoping that they still have 10 more games to add to these totals.”
In the second half, each team scored in the third quarter. South Williamsport’s starting unit was able to take advantage and scored on Southern’s reserves with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter on a Zack Miller run. It was the first touchdown that the Tigers have allowed on the season. “Well our starters will still be motivated to not give up any points. That will carry with them until a team is able to score on them,” Roth said. Braden Heim scored SCA’s lone touchdown of the second half late in the third.
With neither team scoring in the final quarter, the Tigers tied a school record for point scored in the 76-6 Mercy Rule victory. The win moved Southern’s streak to 77-consecutive regular season victories, dating back to 2011, which is yet another state record. Fleming now sits at 62 receiving touchdowns and 4,474 yards. Garcia has accumulated 121 touchdowns on the ground. The Tigers (6-0) will travel to Jersey Shore next week and the Mounties (4-2) will head home to take on Central Columbia.
South Williamsport: 0 0 6 0 — 6
Southern Columbia: 42 27 7 0 — 76
SW SCA
First downs 12 9
Rushes-yards 27-81 17-493
Passing yards 65 72
Total yards 146 565
Passing (C-A-I); 10-27-0 2-3-0
Penalties 2-10 4-45
Fumbles/lost 3-2 1-0
SCORING PLAYS
1ST QTR:
H — Julian Fleming, 26-yard pass from Preston Zachman (Ethan Haupt kick)
H — Julian Fleming, 46-yard pass from Preston Zachman (Ethan Haupt kick)
H — Preston Zachman, 17-yard fumble recovery (Ethan Haupt kick)
H — Gaige Garcia, 41-yard run (Ethan Haupt kick)
H — Gavin Garcia, 19-yard run (Ethan Haupt kick)
H — Gaige Garcia, 54-yard run (Ethan Haupt kick)
2ND QTR:
H — Gaige Garcia, 70-yard run (Ethan Haupt kick)
H — Gavin Garcia, 65-yard run (Ethan Haupt kick)
H — Ty Roadarmel, 1-yard run (Missed PAT)
H — Ty Roadarmel, 39-yard run (Ethan Haupt kick)
3RD QTR:
A — Zack Miller, 20-yard run (Missed PAT)
H — Braden Heim, 62-yard run (Ethan Haupt kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT — Zack Miller 14-59, TD; Lane Lusk 7-33; Luke Winner 3-3; Gannon Guerrisky 1-(-3); Landon Lorson 2-(-11). SOUTHERN COLUMBIA — Gaige Garcia 6-235, 3 TDs; Gavin Garcia 3-98, 2 TD’s; Ty Roadarmel 2-40, 2 TD’s; Braden Heim 2-62, TD; Wes Barnes 2-36; Trevor Yorks 1-21; Ashton Helwig 1-1.
PASSING: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT — Landon Lorson 10-27-0, 65 yds. SOUTHERN COLUMBIA — Preston Zachman 2-3-0, 72 yds, 2 TD’s.
RECEIVING: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT — Austin Nash 5-38; Zack Miller 3-20; Grant Bachman 1-4; Cam Greenaway 1-3. SOUTHERN COLUMBIA — Julian Fleming 2-72, 2 TD’s.
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