Southern Secures 21-14 Win Over Mifflinburg

Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News

Dave Fegley | October 4, 2025

Tigers Take Care Of Business 

There was one game in Pennsylvania that was undoubtedly the most intriguing in the state, and that game took place in Union County on Friday. Southern Columbia won 21-14 over Mifflinburg.

Ultimately, the state’s 2A No. 4 ranked Tigers executed down the stretch to beat the No. 8 team in 3A for redemption after last season’s loss when the Wildcats scored twice in the final minute of the game.

“We didn’t want to allow them to make a late comeback like they did last year,” said SCA’s Blaise Kissinger. “All week in practice, we worked on being good in pass coverage. Our run defense is really good, so we knew that we would have to stop their pass because we figured that they would be throwing a lot.”

Kissinger and Caius Morrow combined to break up the final offensive play that the Wildcats ran which at the time wasn’t anywhere near a guarantee with the remaining time on the clock.

Morrow was extra motivated entering the game after last year giving up the game-winning conversion when Mifflinburg went for two in the closing minute instead of tying the game.

“Last year, we didn’t do what we needed to in the last minute. I personally allowed the two-pointer that won them the game. That provided me with motivation to make an impact against Mifflinburg this year,” Morrow said.

The visitors had a crucial decision to make late in their game at Mifflinburg. The Tigers were in front 21-14, and they decided to go for it on fourth down from the Wildcats’ 38.

With 36 seconds to play, senior halfback Caden Hopper picked up 18 yards. As the remaining seconds ran off the clock, the Tigers ended the night in the victory formation

“I know when I get the ball I have to do my job. That’s really all I was worried about. Five yards is five yards and that is what I needed. I knew what I had to do and didn’t want to do too much. I just tried to put our team in the best position to win,” said Hopper who also had an interception on defense.

The matchup, that featured two ranked teams in Pennsylvania, ultimately was won in the trenches for the Tigers. The Wildcats converted on their share of long plays, but it was Southern’s defensive front that put constant pressure on Mifflinburg quarterback Chad Martin

“I really think our defensive front won us this game. The pressure on the quarterback was crucial with the amount of times that we got to him. (Chad) Martin got his yardage throughout the game with his legs and some long passes, but overall, we were able to contain him and that’s the reason we held them to 14 points,” Tiger coach Jim Roth said.

Southern recorded six sacks in the win, and on the other 20 times that Martin dropped back to pass he was forced out of the pocked on over half of them.

“We stressed all week that if we can dominate in the trenches we are going to win. Every game is ultimately won in the trenches. It’s about taking care of business up front,” said SCA two-way lineman John Quinton who registered one of those sacks.

The Tigers came up clutch in the early going. After the Wildcats completed two third down passes, Southern completed a goal-line stand. That trend continued multiple other times throughout the PHAC Division 2 battle as the Tigers bent at times but didn’t break often.

“Overall, we didn’t finish most of our drives on offense. We missed that one early drive where we had a couple of chances at it, and they stuffed us at the one to end the drive,” said Mifflinburg coach Cody Botts.

Mifflinburg led 7-0 after the first quarter, thanks to a 30-yard touchdown catch by Cole Reibsome, but the Tigers responded.

Brayden Andrews scored on a two-yard carry for the lone TD of the second quarter to make the score 7-7 at halftime.

Ayden Hockenbroch gave Southern a lead in the third minute of the third quarter. The Tiger quarterback used his legs to scamper 22 yards. The extra point failed which kept the score at 13-7.

Five minutes later, Seth Hartman scored on his first carry of the game (28 yards) and the Wildcats had a successful extra point to take a 14-13 lead. Earlier in that drive, Mifflinburg converted a fourth down when Jackson Griffith reeled in a catch off a deflection intended for another Wildcat receiver.

The lone TD in the final quarter came via a 48-yard run by Andrews. Hockenbroch then kept it himself for the two-point conversion to make the score 21-14 with 6:31 left.

“I am going to put that run all on my line. Caden Hopper came in and did his thing. That’s why he was named the player of the game. He came in and did everything that he could with running and blocking out of the backfield,” Andrews said.

On Mifflinburg’s final offensive possession, the Tigers denied the Wildcats a first down with a pass breakup from the combination of Kissinger and Morrow in a situation much like last year where the Wildcats came from behind to win.

“The kids stepped up and made the plays when they needed to. We knew this was going to be our toughest challenge since the opener, and the kids did what they needed to do. I am proud of the effort,” said Roth.

That possession came after it appeared Southern was going to go up two scores before Mifflinburg’s Jackson Marr stripped the ball from Grady Garcia inside of the 10 and returned it to midfield with 4:22 left in the game.

“We had a chance at that point, but we didn’t get the job done,” said Botts.

After winning handily over Danville last week, which was another opponent the Tigers lost to in 2024, it was all about getting revenge over the Wildcats.

“That’s been something we have been talking about all week. When we lost to them last year, I had like the sickest taste in my mouth afterwards. It was an awful feeling, so to come onto their field and win is all that matters,” said Andrews.

Mifflinburg’s lone remaining divisional game is next Friday at winless Central Columbia as the Wildcats dropped to 5-2 on the season.

“There is lots to learn from this game, and we will see how the kids respond. We wanted this. I wanted this as a coach to win the league title for our program, but there is still a lot more to accomplish out there this season and hopefully our group can turn this loss into motivation as we move ahead,” Botts said.

Southern (6-1) is at Montoursville (6-1) for their last game in the division. If the Tigers win, they capture the division crown outright. With a loss, the Tigers will still share the title.

“This is a big win, and we are looking forward to next week. That will be a small goal for us. In our program the ultimatel goal each year is to win another state championship for the program, so we are trying to just improve each week,” said Quinton.

Although Mifflinburg outgained Southern, 363-299, it was the way the Tigers responded when dealt with adversity in high-pressure situations.

“I think the players responded because we preached all week of how vital the pass rush was going to be. They broke some tackles when we went in with proper tackling techniques because they had some big runners. That happens and you live with it,” said Roth. “We didn’t allow their quarterback to get into his comfort zone where he could just sit back in the pocket and scan the field. This was a big win.”

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