Southern Columbia Tigers Celebrate 50th Anniversary
Written by: Dave Fegley on Tuesday, October 1st, 2013. Follow Dave Fegley on Twitter.
Brief History:
In 1963, the small-school known as “Southern Columbia” started a varsity football team. After struggling for a couple of decades, including a bunch of long losing streaks, the Tigers hired Jim Roth as the Head Coach in the early 1980’s. Now, after fifty seasons on the gridiron, this high school dynasty has more state titles than any other team in PA history with six (state record five in a row spanning from 2002-2006). SCA has also completely dominated District IV by winning 21 of the last 22 championships. The Tigers have also gone on to win 13 Eastern Championships since 1994. On top of all the success, Southern takes great pride in the history of the program. To help celebrate this 50 year milestone, a list of the top 50 players in program history has been compiled with an additional list of honorable mention players chosen. Some football coaches and other members of the SCA community were asked to help decide on this list. Due to a lack of stats from the first two decades, this list is basically compiled from the “Roth Era” with a lot of consideration taken from players statistics and awards they won while also helping their respective teams win championships. The breakdown for the top 50 player slots were as followed: 5 Quarterbacks, 5 Running Backs, 5 Wide Receiver/Tight Ends, 10 Offensive Lineman, 5 Defensive Lineman, 5 Linebackers, 5 Defensive Backs, & 10 Off/Def Specialists.
Based on Statistics, Team Success, & Awards
Note: 1960’s & 1970’s Stats Aren’t Available
Top 50 Tigers
QB (5):
-Dan Latorre (2002-2004)
-3 State Championships
-2 Time All-State Selection (2004 Small School Player of the Year)
-Only QB to rush for over 1,000 yards in a Single Season: 1,044 yds in 2004
-3rd Most Career Passing Yards in School History: 3,462 yds
-Matt Kaskie (1998-2000)
-Most Career Passing Yards in School History: 4,086 yds
-Most Career Touchdown Passes in School History: 37
-Most Career Completions in School History: 221
-Most Single Season Passing Yards in School History: 2,146 yds in 2000
-Brad Osevala (1993-1995)
-1 State Championship
-2nd Most Career Touchdown Passes in School History: 35
-2nd Most Career Passing Yards in School History: 3,606 yds
-3rd Most Single Season Passing Yards in School History: 1,807 yds in 1995
-Brad Fegley (2011)
-Only QB in State History not to throw an interception for an entire 16 game season
-Most Single Season Completions in School History: 111 in 2011
-Best Career Completion Percentage in School History: 60%
-4th Most Single Season Passing Yards in School History: 1,770 yds in 2011
-Ted Heitzman (2004-2007)
-3 State Championships
-5th Most Career Completions in School History: 189
-5th Most Passing Yards in School History: 3,143 yds
-5th Most Passing Touchdowns in School History: 30
RB (5):
-Henry Hynoski (2003-2006)
-4 State Championships (#27 Jersey- Retired)
-3 Time All-State Selection (2006 Small School Player of the Year)
-Member of the Big 33
-Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 7,165 yds (9th in State History)
-Most Career Rushing Touchdowns in School History: 112
-2nd Most Single Season Rushing Yards in School History: 2,407 yds in 2006
-10th Most Rushing Yards in a Game in State History: 419 yds
-Super Bowl Champion with the New York Giants
-Jerry Marks (1984-1987)
-1st Team All-State Selection (#21 Jersey- Retired)
-Most Career Carries in School History: 1,071
-2nd Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 7,075 yds (11th in State History)
-2nd Most Career Rushing Touchdowns in School History: 93
-4th Most Single Season Rushing Yards in School History: 2,028 yds in 1986
-Ricco Rosini (1994-1997)
-1997 Small School Player of the Year
-Most Single Season Rushing Yards in School History: 2,479 yds in 1997
-Highest Career Rushing Yards per Carry in School History: 10.1 avg
-3rd Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 6,413 yds (18th in State History)
-3rd Most Career Rushing Touchdowns in School History: 85
-Most Career Tackles in School History: 320
-Jay Drumheller (1981-1983)
-1983 All-State Honorable Mention
-4th Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 4,111
-5th Most Single Season Rushing Yards in School History: 1,965 yds in 1983
-Brandon Traugh (2001-2003)
-2 State Championships
-4th Most Career Rushing Touchdowns in School History: 50
-Most Career Receptions for any RB in School History: 46
WR/TE (5):
-Colby Snyder (2004-2007)
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Most Career Receptions in School History: 78
-2nd Most Career Receiving Yards in School History: 1,336 yds
-2nd Most Career Receiving Touchdowns in School History: 13
– Sean Connaghan (1998-2000)
-2nd Team All-State Selection
-Most Career Receiving Yards in School History: 1,363 yds
-3rd Most Career Receiving Touchdowns in School History: 11
-4th Most Career Receptions in School History: 55
-Matt Murdock (2000-2002)
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Most Single Season Receptions in School History: 48 in 2002
-2nd Most Career Receptions in School History: 68
-3rd Most Career Receiving Yards in School History: 1,205 yds
-Andy Helwig (1995)
-2nd Team All-State Selection
-Most Single Season Receiving Touchdowns in School History: 14 in 1995
-Most Single Season Receiving Yards in School History: 1,095 yds in 1995
-Ardie Kissinger (1994)
-1st Team All-State Selection
-2nd Most Single Season Receiving Yards in School History: 1,049 yds in 1994
-4th Most Single Season Receptions in School History: 42 in 1994
OL (10):
-Josh Marks (2003-2006)
-4 State Championships
-3 Time All-State Selection
-Mark Scisly (1993-1996)
-1 State Championship
-3 Time All-State Selection
-Layne Rarig (1991-1993)
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Marc Osevala (1997-1999)
-2 Time All-State Selection
-Bill Freeman (1981-1983)
-1983 All-State Honorable Mention
-Josh Hoagland (2001-2003)
-2 State Championships
-2 Time All-State Selection
-Kevin Beishline (2002-2004)
-3 State Championships
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Ian Fullmer (2003-2005)
-3 State Championships
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Chad Romig (2000-2002)
-1 State Championship
-2Time All-State Selection
-Chase Fraley (2006-2008)
-1 State Championship
-2nd Team All-State Selection
DL (5):
-Brad Sones (1999-2001)
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Most Career Sacks in School History: 29
-Most Career Hurries in School History: 47
-Matt Moore (2009-2011)
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Most Career Tackles by a DL in School History: 225
-Mike Fox (1999-2001)
-2nd Team All-State Selection
-2nd Most Career Sacks in School History: 23
-2nd Most Career Hurries in School History: 36
-Justin Knoebel (2004-2007)
-3 State Championships
-2 Time All-State Selection
-Steve Mayernick (1994-1996)
-1 State Championship
-2 Time All-State Selection
LB (5):
-Bob Admire (2002-2004)
-3 State Championships
-1st Team All-State Selection
-2nd Most Career Tackles in School History: 314
-3rd Most Career Hurries in School History: 32
-Eric Steffen (1996-1998)
-2nd Team All-State Selection
-Most Single Season Tackles in School History: 147
-3rd Most Career Tackles in School History: 275
-Ryan Slater (2001-2003)
-2 State Championships
-1st Team All-State Selection
-5th Most Career Tackles in School History: 258
-Harvey Fetterolf (1991-1993)
-4th Most Career Tackles in School History: 267
-Vince Butaitis (1983-1985)
-2 Time All-State Selection
DB (5):
-Justin Barnes (1992-1994)
-1 State Championship
-2nd Team All-State Selection
-Most Single Season Interceptions in School History: 11 in 1994
-2nd Most Single Pass Breakups in School History: 18 in 1994
-Kyle Connaghan (2003-2005)
-3 State Championships
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Most Single Season Tackles by a DB in School History: 79 in 2004
-Most Kick Return Yards in School History: 858
-Tom Admire (2004-2006)
-3 State Championships
-1st Team All-State Selection
-2nd Most Career Pass Breakups in School History: 30
-4th Most Career Interceptions in School History: 13
-Keith Day (2009-2011)
-Most Career Tackles by a DB in School History: 192
-3rd Most Career Interceptions in School History: 14
-4th Most Career Pass Breakups in School History: 28
-Greg Miller (1987-1990)
-2nd Most Career Interceptions in School History: 15
O/D SPEC (10):
-Butch Romanoski (1991-1994)
-1 State Championship
-1st Team All-State Selection
-6th Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 3,238yds
-Doug Woodruff (2001-2003)
-2 State Championships
-1st Team All-State Selection
-Most Single Season Sacks in School History: 13 in 2003
-Shaun Gaul (1996-1999)
-2nd Team All-State Selection
-5th Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 3,596 yds
-Scott Bloom (1995-1997)
-2nd Team All-State Selection
–8th Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 2,650 yds
-James Anoia (1988-1991)
-2 Time All-State Selection
-Greg Haladay (1982-1984)
-1984 All-State Honorable Mention
-Nich Gallinot (2004-2006)
-3 State Championships
-2nd Team All-State Selection
-Steve Roth (2006-2008)
-1 State Championship
-2nd Team All-State Selection
-7th Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 2,879 yds
-BJ Snyder (2006-2009)
-1 State Championship
– Most Career PATs in School History: 234
–Most Career Field Goals in School History: 12
-Dave Michaels (1989-1992)
-2 Time All-State Selection
–9th Most Career Rushing Yards in School History: 2,645 yds
Honorable Mention:
-Rob Kerris (2000-2002)
-Nick Slater (1996-1998)
-Ed Levan (1986-1988)
-Troy Heath (1986-1988)
-Nate Roadarmel (1991-1994)
-Jake Morton (2008-2010)
-John Mayernick (1991-1993)
-Steve Tehansky (1983-1985)
-Brad Witcoskie (2006-2009)
-John Fulmer (1981-1983)
-Adam Feudale (2011-2013)
-Scott Cecco (1986-1988)
-Joe Murphy (1994-1996)
-Kirk Peiffer (2001-2003)
-Jake Becker (2009-2012)
-Jeff Lowry (1997-1999)
-Randy Payeski (1987-1989)
-Ken Schetroma (2006-2008)
-Cody Jones (2004-2006)
-Cody Pavlick (2011-2013)
-Mike Fedash (1995-1997)
-Kasey McBride (2000-2002)
-Tyler Levan (2009-2011)
-Matt Crowl (1981-1983)
-Nate Schicchitano (2000-2001)
-Edwin Jankowski (1981-1983)
-Ben Meiser (1996-1998)
-Tom Schetroma (2008-2011)
-Andy Hornberger (1997-1999)
-Tyler Wilson (2005-2007)
-Brad Feese (1987-1989)
-Jon Fetterman (1992-1994)
-Tyrell Thomas (2009-2011)
-Bobby Jones (1990-1992)
-Luke Rarig (2011-2013)
-Ken Ruckle (1996-1998)
-Aaron Yoder (2006-2008)
-Ryan Cherwinski (2010-2012)
-Jake Townsend (2008-2010)
-Josh Tripp (2010-2013)
-Tyler Weaver (1996-1998)
-Matt Brobst (2000-2002)
*A special thanks to former & current SCA Football coaches in helping compile this list of the top Tigers through 50 years.
Top 10 Games
1) 1994 PIAA State Championship
SCA 49 – Western Beaver 6
The Tigers first ever trip to the State Championship was golden. The Tigers won handily at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona. Butch Romanoski bulled his way over Golden Beaver defenders on his way to 107 yards and a touchdown for the day. Backfield mates Nate Roadarmel & Ricco Rosini each ran for two touchdowns as well. Through the air, Brad Osevala connected with Ardie Kissinger three times for 166 yards and a score. The Tigers defense also shut down the Beavers by not allowing them to score more than once the entire game.
2) 2006 PIAA State Championship
SCA 56 – West Middlsex 14
The argument can be made that this was the best team in program history (obviously this can be debated). The Tigers capped off their 16-0 season with their fifth straight & sixth overall state championship. The game could have been called at the half with the Tigers putting up 42 points in the opening half which put the game into a mercy rule after two quarters. In all, six different players scored that day for the black and gold. In his final game as a Tiger, Henry Hynoski capped off an incredible career with 11 carries for 126 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers were just as dominant that day through the air. Junior quarterback Ted Heitzman had 172 passing yards and two touchdowns.
3) 02’, 03’, ’04, ’05 State Championship
SCA 31 – Rochester 6
After losing six state championship games in seven years, including three to Rochester, the Tigers went on to defeat the Rams through the air for their second state title overall and their first one at Hershey Park Stadium. QB Mark Wojtowicz threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns & ran for another score of his own. Matt Murdock and Kale Roth were both on the receiving end of those TD passes. Fullback Ryan Slater ran for a touchdown. The Tigers defense dominated all day long.
SCA 49 – Bishop Carroll 20
The Tigers won their “Back-to-Back” state championship in a snowstorm. Before the game started the field was covered in snow, but the Tigers left a lot of positive imprints by the time the game was over. SCA ran all over the Huskies defense for over 400 yards on the day. Halfback Brandon Traugh ran for nearly half of those yards (185 to be exact) and found the end-zone three times on the day.
SCA 35 – Rochester 0
This game put to rest two different arguments for that year. The Tigers defense proved they were the best in the entire state at arguably any level by not giving up a single point against the best team the west had to offer. Senior Dan Latorre also proved he was the best player in the state. He ran all over the Rams from his quarterback position. At the end of the day, he rushed for 150 yards and four scores to finish off the Tigers “Three Peat.”
SCA 50 – Duquesne 19
The Tigers were faced with a tough Duke team that had a lot of talent including a few Division 1 caliber players. That didn’t faze the Tigers a bit as they went on to dominate the game by scoring 50 points. The Tigers Division 1 player, Henry Hynoski, outscored the Dukes on his own by rushing for 271 yards and four touchdowns as the Tigers won their fourth straight championship in Chocolate Town, USA.
4) 2004 State Playoff Game
SCA 76 – Pius X 47
First of all, no this was not the score of a basketball game. It was the final score of a state playoff game in high school football. As the scoreboard indicated, touchdowns were scored on pretty much every possession of the entire game. Henry Hynoski and Kyle Connaghan combined for ten rushing touchdowns. The 76 put up by the Tigers tied the school record for most scored in a single game. Speaking of records, here is a list of some more that happened that night at Selinsgrove High school:
-772: team rushing yards (SCA)- A NATIONAL RECORD AT THE TIME!
-808: total offensive yards (SCA)- STATE RECORD
-123: combined points- PIAA playoff record
-76: single team points (SCA)- PIAA playoff record
-1,265: total offensive yards combined- PIAA playoff record
-419: Henry Hynoski’s rushing yards- PIAA playoff record
5) 2006 Regular Season Game
SCA 54 – Mount Carmel 0
The most intriguing game each season is when the Tigers take on the Red Tornadoes because the argument can be made that since the early 1990’s, these have been the two best teams in the entire Keystone State. Many fans know that these two rivals are separated by “Route 54” and it just so happens that on a Friday night in 2006 the Tigers scored 54 points and the Tornadoes didn’t put up a single point. This was the worst loss in the long history of Mount Carmel football and to make matters worse, the Tigers started taking out starters before the first half even ended. The Tigers were led by all-state fullback Henry Hynoski who ran through the Big Red defense. The Tigers defense also forced a bunch of turnovers to get the shutout.
6) 2011 Regular Season Game
SCA 29 – Lewisburg 28
This game was played at Bucknell University’s Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium and it will probably go down as the best game to ever be played there in both college & high school. Late in the 4th quarter the Green Dragons were leading by a touchdown and were about to ice the game on a long run. However, DB Joe Kleman forced a fumble and it was recovered by the Tigers. Senior quarterback Brad Fegley led the Tigers down the field through the air. With 50 seconds remaining, Tiger fullback Tyler Levan scored the game tying touchdown and then the Tigers went for two and Levan converted that as well. The Green Dragons made the game even more exciting in the final minute by driving down the field and just missed a field goal as time expired giving the Tigers a one-point instant classic victory.
7) 1991 District IV Championship
SCA 32 – Canton 14
This was the Tigers first District IV Championship in school history. Under the command of Head Coach Jim Roth, the team would go on to win a state record of 16 consecutive district titles. They have won all but one title every year since then.
8) 1963 Regular Season Game
SCA 13 – Northwest 6
In 1962, the Tigers played a JV exhibition season and only won one out of the eight games that they played. In the first year of varsity football (1963), the Tigers defeated the Rangers in the second week to pick up the first win in school history. The Tigers were coached by Pat Mondock and he was assisted by Roy Sanders & Charlie Nesbitt.
9) 1981 Regular Season Game
SCA 21 – Hughesville 0
Southern came into the game with a 26-game losing streak. Rain, thunder, and lightening delayed this Thursday evening contest, but it was Southern that stormed Tiger Stadium on both sides of the ball with their coach Andy Ulicny determined to get a win. Jim Dargan recovered a fumble in the Spartans red zone to set up a rushing TD by Jay Drumheller for the first score of the game, and the team’s first points of the season. The defense held Hughesville to zero yards rushing all night in the shutout. The victory was so huge that the district immediately called off school the next day.
10) 1970 Regular Season Game
SCA 3 – Hughesville 0
If you love defense, this was the game you would have wanted to go to. If you love offense, this game probably wasn’t as intriguing for you, but you could still make the case that a game decided by three points is very exciting. Those three points were enough for the Tigers to pick up a win & are the least amount of points the team has ever scored in a win for the programs storied history.
Tiger Game Facts:
430- Number of Wins in School History
347- Number of Wins by Head Coach Jim Roth
76- The most points scored in a single game (1969 & 2004)
33- The most wins the Tigers have against a single team (Bloomsburg)
21- The most losses the Tigers have against a single team (Danville)
-Record against Ironmen: 23-21
32- The longest winning streak in school history (1993-1995)
25- Number of League Titles
21- Number of District Titles
13- Number of Eastern Titles
6- Number of State Titles
27- Number of teams SCA has a winning record against (min. 5 games)
-Bishop Hafey, Bloomsburg, Canton, Cardinal Brennan, Central, Danville, Freeland, Hughesville, Jim Thorpe, Lackawanna Trail, Lewisburg, Line Mountain, Lourdes, Loyalsock, Montgomery, Mount Carmel, Muncy, North Penn, Northwest, Pius X, Shamokin, South Williamsport, Steel-High, Tri-Valley, Vo-Tech, Warrior Run, Weatherly
4- Number of teams SCA has a losing record against (min. 5 games)
-Jersey Shore, Milton, Rochester, Selinsgrove
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October 3rd, 2013 at 9:45 am
I think SCA Alum had a great idea! A banquet would work out well…should definitely consider it
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:03 am
2012 Regular Season Game
SCA 29 – Lewisburg 28
It was actually in the 2011 season.
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:02 pm
I thought of a great idea while reading this. The football alumni association should have a banquet/picnic to celebrate the 50 years and honor the 50 players selected. I remember reading in the newspaper a few years ago when Shamokin did something similar for their basketball program and that went over really well it sounded. Maybe charge an entrance fee to go towards a meal/drinks, player plaques, & have like a video or dj or something. Good way for the best players to meet each other since some of them weren’t even alive when the earlier guys were playing. I think this would be a huge success and could be a way to raise more money for the ticket booth project at the stadium!
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:32 pm
I like this read…great piece of reading for the SoCo community to reflect on the great players and games…also a lot of family members: Connaghan, Slater, Osevala, Admire, Schetroma, & probably some more. Good water in elysburg & catawissa!
October 2nd, 2013 at 2:47 pm
I was just looking at this list and was thinking of how each player that made this list was unique in a way that made them so incredibly valuable…Imagine a team that had Latorre’s speed & Fegley’s decision-making at the QB spot, then have a bruising back like Hynoski & Marks’ speed. Then they could have a target out wide with Connaghan’s size, Snyder’s hands, & Kissinger’s speed. Add in some of the stud linemen to block up front. Can you imagine how many points an offensive tandom like that would put up?!!! That 76 pts as the high score wouldn’t hold up for a game. They’d score that per half if tey wanted to!
I also have been to three games this season. The schedule is very weak, but it isn’t our fault. I think this years team can win the 7th state title, especially with how weak Single-A is this year, also don’t have to worry about Boyd out west for Clairton anymore (thank god). Roth has a great staff together and they have accomplished it all!
October 2nd, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Loving that a special team player made the top 50…a great kicker is hard to find at the high school level. Only change I would probably make is swap Heitzman & N. Slater at the final QB spot…other than that I am fine with the picks
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Great article. Great memories. Great history. Proud to be a part of the Tiger tradition and the local area.
October 2nd, 2013 at 10:42 am
There are a lot of great players on the list…they all lead the teams to different titles. That Pius game that we scored 76 was unbelievable to watch. National record too!
October 1st, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Fantastic article for a fantastic team!!!
Go Tigers!
October 1st, 2013 at 9:09 pm
This is some good stuff! Agree with the selections, too bad there isn’t more info to get some 60’s & 70’s players in the mix…technology can probably be blamed for this. Now a days they have internet, twitter, facebook, tv, papers, etc.
In the earlier days you were happy to find just a single picture, yet alone stats and all the other items. Nice work Dave!
October 1st, 2013 at 8:08 pm
This is incredible information. Can’t even imagine the amount of time and effort that was put into creating this. No one can really argue this list because each of the 50 players chosen had incredible careers when they played for the Tigers. I have been following Southern football religiously for about the last 30 years and I can remember all of these players. This is a neat idea to showcase the milestone anniversary. Also, good idea to ask for some other opinions like the coaches because no one knows the players better than they do.
Hoping for another 50 years of success in the future!!!
October 1st, 2013 at 6:31 pm
the only thing i’d change is placing mark scisly ahead of josh marks. Just because i think Marks was lazy and just used his size. His technique wasn’t as good as Scisly’s. Plus Scisly was a better student in the classroom. Also, that Justin Barnes kid, why is he on the list? lol. jk. He is no doubt #1 DB. Last, holy cow about the honroable mention list. Mine as well list everyone who played at Southern. For a second I thought I saw my name on the list and i didn’t even play. lol. Still a great story about SCA and it’s 50 years.