PIAA Class 2A Title Game Preview: Southern Columbia

Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

Dave Fegley | December 4, 2025

PIAA District 4
League: PHAC
Head Coach: Jim Roth

OVERVIEW

Southern Columbia in a state final? It has become an annual tradition for followers in Catawissa, Elysburg, and Numidia. Not last year though. The Tigers were sent packing in the district semifinals to eventual state champion Troy and finished with a 7-5 record. That win total was the least amount in the program since the 1980’s. This year, SCA lost its opener but has bounced back with 14 consecutive wins. A 15th in a row would result in a 15th PIAA gold to add to their already Pennsylvania record.

The Tigers face a familiar opponent. They will take on District 10 champion Farrell on Friday afternoon. History is on the side of the Steelers as they defeated Southern in the 1995 and 1996 PIAA Class 1A finals. Both games were close as Southern came out on the short end both times by a combined eight points.

The ’95 in which the Tigers lost 6-0, current Farrell head coach Anthony Pegues was the quarterback for the Steelers.

“I guess that means I am getting old,” said Southern head coach Jim Roth with a laugh. “It is a full-circle type of moment that 30 years later we are playing Farrell for the first time since and I am going up against the same guy in a different role.”

Pegues’ son Andrew is now the quarterback. He will be in for a challenge as Southern’s defense has played its best ball in the postseason. In the five playoff wins, Southern has held its opponents to on average 27 points below its season average.

Southern’s offense has also done its part as the Tigers average 40.9 points per game.

How they got to the title game:

2025 Southern Columbia Schedule 

Key Players: 

RB Brayden Andrews: The senior has saved his best season for his last one in a Tiger uniform. He is averaging over 9 yards per carry and approaching 1,500 for the season to go with 21 TDs on the ground.

DB Kaden Zachman: As the safety for the Tigers, Zachman is in the middle of the secondary. He leads the team with 5 interceptions.

OL/DL Jaden Carter: He is the biggest lineman that Southern has. He has shown his potential, and a dominant performance would help his college recruiting entering his senior season.

TE Jace Malakoski: The junior has proved to be the best receiving tight end in the program since the 1990’s. He will see time on the defensive line as well.

DL: Chase Williams: The leader on the team in sacks will once again want to provide heavy pressure against Farrell’s passing game.

K/P Preston Shadle: In games like this, special teams come into play. Shadle has executed his extra points at a high rate and needs to get his punts off quickly against a quick rush.

Look Out For:

FB Joey Williams: With just under 140 rushing yards on the Cumberland Valley turf, he will give Southern its second ever trio of 1,000-yard rushers in a season.

OL Braylin Smith: He has the size and skill to get it done. He will be the most important lineman on the field for Southern as the right tackle. Farrell brings pressure, and the way they set up their shifts, the sophomore will need his best performance.

LB Talon Piatt: He leads the Tigers with 97 tackles on the year. He has also come in on crucial short-yardage downs to move the sticks on offense when needed.

Keys to Winning (Offense):

Junior quarterback Ayden Hockenbroch has been efficient through the air. He hasn’t thrown an interception since August when he tossed three in the season-opening loss. With his added running ability in the playoffs, the Tigers need to continue to execute with their running game. Eliminating negative plays will be crucial as Southern has had penalty issues during the season. Moving the chains in a methodical fashion has worked all year, so the Tigers are hoping to do the same in the finale.

Keys to Winning (Defense):

Don’t allow anyone behind the secondary. If the Steelers are able to run the ball and score, more power to them. The Tigers don’t want to give up any deep passes. The run defense will have its toughest challenge since the opener for sure as Farrell’s top runner Juelz Johnson is looking to break his school’s single season rushing record. Defensive coordinator Andy Mills wants his defense to keep playing like they have been. “We were needed to clean some things up in the first half but were much better in the third and fourth quarters,” Mills said on Friday after beating Lansdale Catholic.

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