Southern Stops Skid
Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News
Dave Fegley | October 12, 2024
Tigers Top Warriors 19-16
Nearly every team on the planet has had a three-game losing streak over the past four decades. Not Southern Columbia. The Tigers last lost three games in a row in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was starting his presidential run, which was at the end of a 26-game skid that started in 1978.
On Friday, Jim Roth’s group was faced with a challenge where the Tigers were in a position to lose three games in a row. Led by the defense, and some timely throws from quarterback Ayden Hockenbroch, Southern didn’t allow for Montoursville to keep the losing streak alive as the host Tigers won 19-16.
“If we want to make a run in the playoffs, this was a huge game for seeding purposes and getting momentum, and I think this could be more important for momentum as we try to close out the regular season on a positive note these next two upcoming weeks,” Southern coach Jim Roth said.
The Tigers (4-4) controlled the time of possession throughout the game, but it wasn’t until the final minute of the first half that they were able to break a scoreless tie. Hockenbroch connected with Brayden Andrews on a third down pass covering 39 yards to get into Montoursville (5-3) territory.
“I know that when I get an opportunity to throw, I can trust my guys to make plays,” said Hockenbroch.
Grady Garcia then caught an 18-yard pass on a third down later in the drive. Two plays later, Caden Hopper scored from three yards out with just 17 seconds remaining in the half.
“We struggled up front at times on offense, but Ayden (Hockenbroch) came through with some big plays in our passing game and the guys made some key catches,” Roth said. “Hopper is a bigger back and has shown that he can make those tough yardage type of plays when we need him to.”
Montoursville kicked a 26-yard field goal to start the third quarter, after missing a 23-yarder early in the second quarter, to cut the Tiger lead to 7-3.
On the ensuing kickoff, Andrews returned it to Montoursville’s 35 and later caught a 10-yard pass on fourth down to extend Southern’s lead to 13-3 with 4:46 to play in the quarter.
“We knew what we had to do. We expected them to come out firing after halftime. After they kicked that field goal, we had to go down there to score to regain the momentum,” said Andrews.
After the Tigers forced the Warriors to a three-and-out, Hockenbroch hit Blaise Kissinger in stride for a 58-yard touchdown to make the score 19-3 near the end of the third quarter.
“Two plays before that, I ran a backside route and was open. I wasn’t the first read on the play, but I knew I could get open if we ran something similar later in the drive,” Kissinger said. “Ayden threw a perfect pass on a crossing pattern, and I was able to get behind the coverage for the touchdown.”
Montoursville made things interesting in the closing minutes. Hayden Harvey went in untouched from 16 yards out to make the score 19-9 with 6:54 to play. Harvey then caught a pass in the flat and went 51 yards down his sideline for another score.
As Southern’s lead was trimmed to 19-16 with 1:33 remaining, Nate Gallagher recovered the onside kick for the Tigers. He recovered one earlier in the quarter as well.
Andrews picked up a pair of first downs on his final two carries to close out the win.
“I have to get credit to the line on that one and also my fullback. Number 4 (Talon Piatt) popped the middle linebacker that was coming towards me,” said Andrews who topped the 100-yard rushing mark for a third straight week.
Southern next takes on Bloomsburg, and Montoursville will have Lewisburg next week.
“We closed the game out when we needed to. Now we move forward and try to get better each day,” said Andrews who has rushed for 469 yards over the past three games.
The Tigers have only punted one time in the last two weeks despite losing last week and being riddled with penalties at crucial moments.
“It wasn’t easy. We had to overcome a number of penalties. We have to do a better job in that area, but there were some penalties that were questionable after we looked at them from different angles on our iPads. Either way, this was a nice win and the defense deserves credit despite a couple of breakdowns late,” Roth said. “Montoursville’s offense has had success most of the year, and our guys stepped up to the challenge. We were more physical in this game than we had been in a while.”
Southern Columbia 19, Montoursville 16
MTV — SCA
First Downs: 10 — 15
Rushes-yds: 22-139 — 49-199
Passing yds: 132 — 161
Total yds: 271 — 360
Passing (C-A-I): 5-14-0 — 9-16-0
Penalties: 2-30 — 12-98
Fumbles-lost: 1-1 — 0-0
Montoursville (5-3): 0-0-3-13 — 16
Southern (4-4): 0-7-12-0 — 19
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter
None.
2nd Quarter
S- Caden Hopper 3 run (Preston Shadle kick), 0:17.
3rd Quarter
M- Gavin Hawley 26 field goal, 8:14.
S- Brayden Andrews 10 catch from Ayden Hockenbroch (kick blocked), 4:46.
S- Blaise Kissinger 58 catch from Hockenbroch (two-point failed), 1:02.
4th Quarter
M- Hayden Harvey 16 run (two-point failed), 6:54.
M- Harvey 51 catch from Jimmy Mussina (Hawley kick), 1:33.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Southern: Brayden Andrews 18-113; Talon Piatt 11-26; Ayden Hockenbroch 6-25; Grady Garcia 12-24; Caden Hopper 2-11, TD. Montoursville: Christian Banks 16-88; Hayden Harvey 5-48, TD: Elijah Eck 1-3.
PASSING — Southern: Ayden Hockenbroch 9-16-0, 161 yds, 2 TDs. Montoursville: Jimmy Mussina 5-13-0, 132 yds, TD; Elijah Eck 0-1-0.
RECEIVING — Southern: Blaise Kissinger 3-81, TD; Brayden Andrews 3-43, TD; Jace Malakoski 2-19; Grady Garcia 1-18. Montoursville: Michael Reeder 2-66; Hayden Harvey 1-51, TD; Carlos Tira 1-8; Todd Crawford 7.
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