Old Forge stuns Southern Columbia
Written by: Dave Fegley on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013. Follow Dave Fegley on Twitter.
By: Dave Fegley (Twitter: @DFegs9)
Legendary college football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant used to say that “defense wins championships” and if he was still alive today, he would have liked what he saw from both Old Forge and Southern Columbia in their state playoff matchup. The Tigers came into the state playoffs scoring at least 44 points in each game this season and averaged over 50 per game. They looked like they were going to keep that trend going after the first quarter when they lead 14-0, but they would not score another point the remainder of the night thanks to an outstanding effort by the Old Forge defense. “We were just outplayed up front basically. We didn’t run the ball with any kind of consistency or break off any big plays,” Southern head coach Jim Roth said. The Blue Devils defense shut down the Tigers offense for the final three quarters, and the offense was able to muster three touchdowns of their own to beat Southern 19-14 which gave Old Forge their first ever win against Southern Columbia who won the first three matchups in 1988, 2006, and 2011. “Our team has battled through a lot of adversity all year and we have been in close games all year. The kids are just very resilient and I’m proud of them,” said Old Forge head coach Michael Schuback.
Friday night’s game at Kemp Memorial Stadium in Shamokin, showcased arguably the two best Single-A teams in the state, but unfortunately the way the bracket is setup, they had to face off in the round of 16. The game also showcased some of the top players from the east including Old Forge’s senior running back Brandon Yescavage who scored all three of his team’s touchdowns on his way to a 211 yard night. “We love being the underdog because it makes us practice harder and come out mentally tougher than the opponent,” said Yescavage who came into the game with over 2,000 yards on the season. On the other side of the ball Matt Trotta stepped up and had a huge game from his outside linebacker position coming up with key tackles down the stretch for the Blue Devils. “Trotta set the edge for us fantastically tonight against their run game especially with some of our guys getting banged up early,” Schuback said. Southern Columbia also had great play from players on both sides of the ball starting with their star fullback, Adam Feudale, who finished with 111 yards and a touchdown in his final career game. Cody Pavlick had another outstanding game in his final game in a Tiger uniform as well. He entered the game with 303 career tackles which is third best in school history and had 125 tackles entering on the season which is the second most in a single season. Against Old Forge, he unofficially had seven tackles in the first half alone for the Tiger defense.
The guttiest performance has got to go to a player on the losing end however. Tiger senior running back Nate Hunter finished the game with six carries for 34 yards and the game’s first touchdown. Not bad, especially for playing on one leg. He tore his ACL in last week’s District IV final, but was determined to play the rest of the year. “I got an MRI earlier in the week on Monday and the doctor told me I tore the same ACL that I did last year. They gave me the okay if I felt I could go, and I wanted to keep playing to help my team out the best I could. I was fortunate to be able to play with all of my buddies one last time as a Southern Tiger,” said Hunter. “I had so much tape on my knee that I didn’t really feel anything at the beginning of the game and the touchdown I scored helped me mentally to feel I could play a full game, but the final hit I took was enough to put me out of the game in the second quarter.”
Hunter’s touchdown from four yards out put the Tigers up 7-0 with 7:34 left in the first quarter. Then, Feudale scored on a nine yard run to make it 14-0 after one quarter. The second quarter was when Yescavage took over and shifted the momentum to Old Forge’s side. He made the score 14-7 on an 80 yard dart down the sidelines at the 9:43 mark of the second quarter. Then he scored again with 17 seconds remaining in the first half on a three yard plunge, but a missed extra point had his team trailing 14-13 at the half. He was running so well that Old Forge didn’t even attempt their first pass until there were two minutes left in the second quarter.
In the third quarter both defenses came up with stops on each possession, and didn’t allow any points which sent the game into the final quarter still 14-13. “The biggest thing was them shutting us down offensively for the final three quarters,” said Roth. The score remained that way until Yescavage scored the game winning touchdown from 50 yards out with 6:01 left in the game giving his team a 19-14 lead. “Southern has always had a great defense and they are a state power, but I think we just out-powered them today,” Yescavage stated.
After a touchback, SCA had to drive 80 yards for a score if they wanted to win the ball game. Quarterback Nick Becker was only 5 for 16 passing entering the final drive, but he completed two huge fourth down passes under pressure to Luke Rarig and Blake Marks putting the ball inside the Blue Devil red zone giving his offense a chance to win the game. Old Forge prevailed on the third and final fourth down from the 14 yard line by forcing an incomplete pass which sealed the victory for the District II champs.
Southern Columbia ends the year with a 12-1 record, and won a remarkable 22nd district title in the last 23 seasons. “It’s not the outcome we wanted, but it was a great season and I was able to play for great coaches. I’ll have a lot of memories, and I will certainly miss it,” said Hunter. The Tigers graduate over half of their starters leaving some major voids to fill heading into next fall.
Old Forge now moves on to the Eastern Semi-Final against District III champion Schuylkill Haven next Friday night at a site to be determined. The Blue Devils will probably be favored to win the east now with the victory over the Tigers and they will probably even be favored to win a state gold. “We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing every week this year. We need preparation and determination and I think we will come out with the wins,” said Yescavage.
SCA: 14-0-0-0 = 14
OF: 0-13-0-6 = 19
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA (12-1)
RUSHING:
Adam Feudale 27-111, TD; Nate Hunter 6-34, TD; Blake Marks 10-52; Matt Lupold 3-2, Nick Becker 1-(-2)
PASSING:
Nick Becker 8-22-0, 106 yds
RECEIVING:
Luke Rarig 3-39; Zach Tillett 1-34; Blake Marks 3-26; Adam Feudale 1-7
1st DOWNS: 19
PENALTIES: 4-35
OLD FORGE (12-1)
RUSHING:
Brandon Yescavage 24-211, 3 TDs; Shane Schuback 4-38; Jorden Sekol 3-10; Jake Manetti 4-(-4)
PASSING:
Jake Manetti 4-8-1, 59 yds
RECEIVING:
Shane Schuback 3-45; Brandon Vahey 1-14
1st DOWNS: 12
PENALTIES: 10-70
Final Old Forge stats courtesy of Damien Scoblink (Press Enterprise)
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November 29th, 2013 at 10:48 pm
As an SCA fan, need to apologize for the eye gouging during the game. That is not Tiger football and is not how true Tigers conduct themselves on the field. That was a disgusting display that in no way reflects how we play football here at SCA. Good luck Old Forge on your road to Hershey.
November 26th, 2013 at 10:07 pm
WELL SAID Mike!
November 25th, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Why is there so much bashing of schools on here? I’m a Riverside grad and fan and have had the experience to see my teams play Old Forge, Dunmore and Southern Columbia. Every fan base out there has those arrogant classless fans, Riverside included, but these schools also have a lot of great fans too. All four of these schools have great tradition and a lot to be proud of. I love the fact when Riverside has the opportunity to play Southern Columbia. They have an outstanding tradition and to be able to say that we beat them in the past means a lot. To be the best, you have to beat the best and Southern is that. As much as Riverside and Old Forge hate each other, we have a mutual respect for one another and wish each one well when at this point in a season. Best of Luck Devils on your quest and know we are rooting for you! Congrats to Southern Columbia on another great year!
November 25th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
@Tiger2
I wish you the very best this holiday season too. May you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year after that. God bless you.
November 25th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
I’m not going to call your friend a liar Johnny, but I highly doubt that an official of a high school game in state playoffs would be allowed to officiate a game that involves said high school. I had a teammate in high school whose dad was a baseball umpire and he wasn’t allowed to ump any game that involved our school. Again, not going to say someone is just stirring the pot up but I don’t think a SCA teacher was an official in that game. Maybe that person got poor information.
November 25th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Revtweak, I agree and apologize. You are correct, it is usually a few who ruin it for the rest. There are bad fans everywhere. Have a Happy Holiday!
November 25th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Ok…as the name states…I’m and OF guy…so we will get that of of the way. I was at the game…I’ll refrain from commenting on the officiating other than to say that OF had double the number of penalties and double the yardage called against them…look at the box score. Not to mention some non calls etc…OF got a cpl breaks along the way too…but I’m not going to agree that it evened out..the crew was terrible all around..and an embarasment to the PIAA and their uniforms (Can anyone confirm that one of them was a teacher at SCA? I heard this from a fairly reliable source.)
I can also tell you that no one posting these negative things about SCA is from OF. There’s a great amount of respect or the Tigers up here and the reason you saw the fans storm the field was in part due to that. So many people told these kids they couldn’t beat SCA…they have too much depth… No one goes 2 ways… Too much offensive firepower blah blah blah. I think everyone just let lose when it was finally over. Kids are kids….and that win was major monkey off this programs back.
Its been 20+ years since OF has had a team like this…(before there was a real state playoff system) OF has plenty of EC titles in the trophy case (from when the EC meant something) but has not been able to put together a real state contender until the last few yrs. For a school that regularly graduates 65-75 students a year…getting a squad together that is capable of playing at that level tends to be fairly rare. No doubt that SCA is the measuring stick in the east… That will be the case for some time….it’s not like any other A team is close to racking up 6 titles. In the mean time…expect to see major celebrations on the rare I occasions that your Tigers lose a game…it’s the ultimate expression of respect for a team that so few are able to compete with…let alone get a win.
November 25th, 2013 at 10:31 am
The bottom line is this, SCA has had the better program in terms of history. That showed on Friday night by the fan reaction at the end of the game. Do you think if SCA would have won that their fans would have stormed the field? Old Forge fans stormed the field like they won the Super Bowl which is kinda embarrassing because it shows that the program hasn’t won too many big games in the history. SCA has won so many of them that it’s almost like a no big deal mentality
November 25th, 2013 at 9:08 am
@Tiger2
I didn’t see or hear of any of that. If it is true, then it is shameful that it happened. Maybe a couple of wild kids from the student section or something, because the rest of us – the actual fans – showed respect. If that actually did happen, and I’m taking your word on it that you wouldn’t lie, then I apologize for them and hope their parents set them straight.
To label an entire fanbase though, is a bit extreme. I know that not all Southern Columbia fans are as arrogant and as rude as the ones I’ve ran into from time to time, heckling our own fans saying that we’re going to get run over, but it’s the few who are that end up ruining it for the rest. And even though that in turn reflects badly on your school, community, etc., I know it isn’t representative of it as a whole. I hope you understand the same in true of us or anyone else.
So know that it is the same on this end. There’s 90% that’s there to support their kids, and 10% there to ruin the experience. That applies to EVERY school. I know I always make a conscious effort to treat other teams’ fans courteously and with kindness, because I want that to reflect on us as a whole in a positive light. That’s why your comments bothered me.
November 24th, 2013 at 11:43 pm
Revtweak,
Record straight.. If nothing happened, then that nothing should bother you! Evidentaly you didn’t see, or hear, your fans taunting the Southern players/cheerleaders after the game last year outside their locker room. It wasn’t the players, it was the fans on your buses (your players were very gracious). There was no honor or respect as you say, it was “rubbing it in”, and it was wrong!
If you took that as “insulting a community” then I apologize. But it was your kids (again not the players)who were doing the insulting, which does reflect on your school, community, etc. as you say.
November 24th, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Sounds like these refs are the same crew that did the berwick / crestwood game 2 weeks ago.
November 24th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
@Tiger2 & Tigerfan & others
Unless I missed it, I didn’t see anyone insulting the kids. That would be a low move by anyone if they did do it. To that end, nobody is belittling your school, your community, or anything else.
Also, I don’t know how this perception started but there is no jealousy of Southern Columbia. There’s respect, as there is and should be for every opponent, but nobody is jealous. It’s good that you are proud of your program, but that doesn’t mean anyone else wants to be you. For anyone to think so is a bit of an arrogant attitude to have.
The one thing that bothered me, and I know it shouldn’t, was Tiger2’s off comment about Dunmore. I’m not sure what he means or what he’s getting at by saying “Don’t be like Dunmore was last year.” That’s taken as a shot at Dunmore and it’s community and it’s kids, and I won’t yell hypocrite and call it a day, but I will set the record straight.
I’m a Dunmore fan; Dunmore grad; born, raised, and stayed. Last year when we played Southern, there was nothing but respect for your school, your program, and your kids and your community. When we were fortunate enough to win, there was no rubbing it in. There was no taunting. There was only celebration that we were able to win the big one, and lament that such a game had to be in the 1st round instead of being the Eastern Final.
So I don’t know what your inferring or meaning to say, because there was nothing there, except a desire by a fanbase to show respect, to win with honor, and to celebrate a great victory. That’s what everyone should strive for.
So think twice before you go an make a comment like that, because then you end up being the one insulting a community, a school, and someone’s kids.
And finally, as a Dunmore fan, I want to once again congratulate Old Forge and wish you the best of luck the rest of the way. As far as you go, we’ll be there with you.
November 24th, 2013 at 4:19 pm
@ Doug…I didnt say it. I was reference a SCA fan stating that. I thought the comment was hilarious. Just to be clear. Perhaps read my post again. Happy Thanksgiving.
November 24th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
thanks jive…took care of it
November 24th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
just a little clarification on your comment billmurray. kids that go to columbia montour vo tech from the area schools will actually play sports for columbia montour vo tech. They have their own athletics there. Most vo-tech schools are not like that. Therefore anyone attending Vo-tech does not set foot in their “home” district for any classes. Their schooling is done completely at CMVT. This is why students who go to CMVT don’t count enrollment wise at the “home” school. I also believe it is a requirement that you must state you are going to CMVT in 8th grade before entering 9th and must go for I believe 2 years. I’m not sure on the last one but I know you have to stay at least the entire year.
November 24th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
@Moderator,
An earlier post on this thread had the word retard written very clearly, no moderation. However you chopped up my post because of the word yahoo. My post was not directed at all SCA folks, just those that act like “yahoos”. I don’t think yahoo is an offensive word, but am very offended by the term retard. Just for the record, I consider a yahoo to be someone that is completely over the top with their passion. Some may take yahoo as a compliment, is retard a compliment? Retard 11/23 3:05, shame on whomever moderates this thread!
November 24th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Well said Tigerfan…well said!!!
November 24th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Berwick beat a district 11 team but thats it catty easton and east stroudsburg south beat district 2 teams
November 24th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
If other districts are bad, how comes catty beat lake lehman? Every time district 11 plays district 2, district 11 wins.
November 24th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
DougD has no idea what he is talking about. Southern gets kids from all over due to a co-op? Kids do not go to Southern from all over. Kids to go to Vo-Tech FROM Danville, Bloom, Central, Berwick, Southern, Benton, Milliville to make Vo-Tech. All of the kids live in the district who suit for Southern. The reason for so many kids is that kids want to be part of a successful program, just like any other sport that is successful at any other school. Look, we accept that OF won-do it with a little class. Don’t be like Dunmore was last year.
November 24th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
I told you guys last week, when all of you SCA were ripping Bragalone, that I don’t follow any teams up there. Now another kid goes for over 200 against SCA, did he play against the back-ups too? SCA has a great program that wins year in and year out. I don’t think people are knocking the program or the kids, just throwing something back. I’ve read stuff on here from the SCA that knock players on their own team, and worse stuff about players on other teams. Have you ever heard of karma? Karma showed up Friday night and kicked you in the mouth. Maybe this loss will humble you, probably not. Guess Dominic is not the only person that needs to “brag-alone”, remember how funny you thought that was last week? Perhaps if that kid were in an SCA uniform, you would be playing next week. To the kids and fans that are not, great season, you’ll be back again next year. To those people, karma is a ……. well you know what karma is.
November 24th, 2013 at 11:57 am
I had to put my two cents in with being a Tiger parent. Yes, Old Forge outplayed us and won “the battle of the trenches” as they say and deserve to go on. Could we have won that game? Absolutely. We didn’t make key plays when it counted, penalties killed us, the refs sucked, play calling wasn’t the best etc. But to go and belittle our school, team, specific kids and overall community is just wrong and rude(especially if you don’t know what you’re talking about). If it were your kid playing and the read about negative comments on them, how would you feel? You personally don’t know them. I could name names, but I know that people (families) move to this district not only for sports, but academics and the community because they know our standards and their kids weren’t getting what they needed at other school districts. All schools have good and bad things about them, Southern just has less – it’s a good place to be.
Our academics standards are high and for any athlete to play any sport , they must maintain those grades. We have ALOT of kids taking college level courses that play sports (including starters for our football team).
In all the time our trainer has been with us (20 some years I think), this is only the second time our football team hasn’t practiced Thanksgiving week or Thanksgiving day – can your school say that?
How about our girls soccer team that made it to the state playoff game, our field hockey and boys soccer that made it to the postseason, cross country and spring sports team that do well? Are they going to get bashed also?
I can’t wait to see my son and the rest of the team work hard and develop for next year. Sure, goals will be high (they always seem to be for our kids), but they will work hard to try to achieve all they can.
Yes, Monday and 3-4 a times starting this week, our team won’t be practicing for the game to be held at Blue Mountain this Friday, but in the weight room starting on the next season.
Sincerely,
Parents from the coal region originally
November 24th, 2013 at 11:38 am
Ok, I normally don’t like to get into these braggin matches but hey, I’ve a few words to add:
to southern fans: You lost, accept it. It wasn’t the refs as they were terrible for both sides. Your team lost. Period. SCA fans do have a reputation for crying about the officiating when the Tigers lose. Well, you don’t win all those titles if the officials are against you every year.
To the Old Forge fans: Your team won. Show some dignity, respect and humility. Every year the Tigers knock the hell out of most teams. Just because your team won doesn’t give you the right to act like some of you are.
To DougD: I can tell you straight up you’re wrong about the SCA district. The vo tech school TAKES students away. If a player from say Bloom goes to the tech school, they in turn must play for bloom. They can’t go to SCA to play.
November 24th, 2013 at 11:08 am
@Corey
You are correct in your assessment of D2 and D4 in 1A, Corey; but there are three other classes in state championship play, and per my prior note other districts have done better in some of the other classes. And many people (not me) look at the two lower classes in less an appreciative manner than the big 4A and 3A classes. You have a right to be proud, but I just feel the “other eastern districts suck” comment untrue. If I lived up in high country, I would surely follow SCA, MCA, Berwick, and other fine clubs.
November 24th, 2013 at 11:07 am
Mike I know Riversides final score was closer than SCA’s score but i don’t believe Riverside really had a chance to win in the end. SCA was driving down 21-19 with 4 minutes left and just couldn’t get close enough to get that field attempt or TD, Boyd busted a play for a TD to put them up 8 and SCA again drove into Clairton territory, but turned it over on downs. After that all the emotion was out of the game for SCA and Clariton broke another long td run. Riverside had them on the ropes for sure going up 24-0 and shouldve never blown that lead. Go figure the 2 toughest games Clairton had during their run was against SCA and Riverside. We can agree that both SCA and Riverside gave Clairton all they could handle.
November 24th, 2013 at 10:45 am
Look at the last 20 years in A…other than a two year stretch from Steel-High, it’s been either Southern or a a District 2 school to play in the State Championship
November 24th, 2013 at 9:48 am
just curious Corey, what district do you rep?
November 24th, 2013 at 9:29 am
@Corey
You might want to qualify your comment that “every other district in the east sucks” particularly to class A and AA. D2 and D4 has never seen the 4A championship, and only two teams from D2 or D4 have ever seen the 3A. While both D2 and D4 have winning percentages in states, and have had three strong programs, SCA, MCA, and Berwick; D1, D3, D11 and D12 (since 2008)have had some fine accomplishments.
November 24th, 2013 at 8:45 am
I don’t know who is the biggest idiot in this situation…Riley is just a completely uneducated human, the refs were terrible for both teams, and the PIAA is clueless in terms of why they play District 4 vs 2 in round one of states because every other District in the east sucks so basically whoever wins the 4-2 matchup has a free ride to states
November 24th, 2013 at 12:16 am
@ Joe and all the people like you !
first before addressing you .
I would like to say AHHHH AH DEVILS AHHHH AH DEVILS !!!
A BIG CONGRATS to the OLD FORGE BLUE DEVILS
and football community ! where PRIDE is 2nd to none
in a game where the DEVILS faced not 1 but 2
tough opponents ( SOUTHERN COLUMBIA ) and ( REFS )
there were so many BAD calls that at one point one would have to wonder if the refs had family wearing BLACK and GOLD…..????
but that only made a TOUGH Devils team even TOUGHER and to be honest will help them reach HERSHEY preparing them for the unthinkable ( refs)
heavily favoring the opponent !!!
again CONGRATS and BEST OF LUCK reaching HERSHEY
one game at a time, and keeping the PRIDE ALIVE
in the LACKAWANNA FOOTBALL CONFERENCE.
As a LAKELAND fan I know all about PRIDE and COMMUNITY support and the OLD FORGE COMMUNITY
Mirrors that which I know ! I personally know people from Old Forge and can STATE !
THEY EARN WHAT THEY GET their hard working athletes on and off the field.
now to you JOE there is much respect for SC and all the many titles but get one thing straight
there is NO JEALOUSY and why would there be .
OLD FORGE and the rest of the LACKAWANNA FOOTBALL CONFERENCE uses who they have UNLIKE
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA not sure if you know but
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA runs a (co-op) school with a
vo-tech school which means what JOE ????? !!!
they can get players from all over the area !!!!!
unlike the REGULAR school’s who have to use who they have and awesome for OLD FORGE they have a FULL roster of players who play SMASH MOUTH FOOTBALL EVERY GAME !!!
have a good day sir JOE
WHO’S JEALOUS NOW
AHHHHH AH DEVILS AHHHH AH DEVILS !!!!
Best of Luck BLUE DEVILS >>> REPRESENT !!!!
November 24th, 2013 at 12:01 am
Just a FYI To Brian,
Riverside was the closet to beating Clariton during their streak, lost 36-30 had a 24-0 lead. Southern hasn’t had much luck against district 2 teams in the last few years. Great win by Old Forge! Bring home the title
November 24th, 2013 at 12:01 am
You sound very bitter against Southern. That people is jealousy pure and simple. We should play this, we should play that, our school can beat your school, you need to move up a class. Tell it to the PIAA, they make the rules. It’s not we hide kids in the bus barn when headcount time comes around, make sence man. Let’s show support for Old Forge and get the Gold back on the eastern part of the state.
November 23rd, 2013 at 8:40 pm
Apparently people are either embarrassed about their own programs or jealous to belittle SCA for playing in the classification they’re in. Yes, SCA dresses tons of kids but thats because kids see the success they’ve had over the past 20 years and want to be a part of it. In the 90s, SCA had many 2 way starters like a lot of A schools do, but when they started winning everyone wanted to get in on it. As for stealing players, it’s not stealing when families move. Families are moving because those towns are becoming crap holes to live in. Hynoski’s dad was MCA, Henry was not. Henry was never in MCA. Probaly won’t ever win a state title again? oh well if they don’t they have 6. how many does your school have? Will your school ever play in 195 out 196 games in a 13 year span. More stupid igornant comments from jealous people trying to put down a school who’s success can’t be matched at the small school level.
November 23rd, 2013 at 8:14 pm
First off, congrats to the OF team, good luck the rest of the year. Second, Chris’s comment is ridiculous about the Tripp kid. Way to make an absolutely awesome kid feel great if he reads your post. He is good enough to play at least 1-AA or high D2. If you watched the replay he absolutely neutralized #51 for OF, who is considered a 1-AA talent. As far as running to his side (they did an above average job running to that side in the first half, after the first series, against a very good OF run defense). That is where I lay the blame on Roth. The team was begging him to run to the side where Tripp/Reynolds/Donlan and a TE would line up, but he only called a run to that side twice in the second half (both gained yards), and 20 times to the right. Any defensive co-ordinator in the world could’ve predicted the plays. Roth made OF’s job easy with his play calling. The Southern line gave Becker all the time in the world to throw last night, he was only hit once, but Roth won’t mention that in his comments. But then again, when you call 75% of the pass plays to go to a receiver who is double-covered… Anyway, to lay blame totally on the line is ridiculous. Roth’s play calling was poor at best. He should own most of the blame, but we know he won’t. The kids play their hearts out for this man each and every week, and when he gets a chance to take some blame, he puts it on kids (that’s right, kids). We all know they felt terrible, but they probably felt even worse this morning when they read his comments in the paper. I didn’t hear Danville’s coach blaming anyone for the loss, way to be a class act Coach Keiser!
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:57 pm
yeahyeah,
I’m an LVC guy and your statement is ridiculous. SCA is 1A. What would make anyone think that they are going to compete consistently in a 4A conference? And one of the most competitive conferences in the state at that.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:54 pm
Also you shouldn’t be Class A, you should at least be AA, I know your school is small, but you must have a roster easily over 50.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:49 pm
You’re living in the past, you’ll probably never win a state title again. Even when your pride superbowl champ Hyno; You know Hynoski’s are from mount carmel? Delbo’s are from Shamokin, and so are the Tillets. How many talented athletes do you have that you haven’t stolen from other local school. It’s not 06 anymore:)
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:45 pm
The funniest thing is a SCA fan posted in an article about BECHAI vs Berwick that they should be happy they don’t play SCA. Honestly, SCA couldn’t compete in LVC. Catty would pose a problem for them too
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:36 pm
A lot of sour grapes here, all around.
First, Old Forge was the better team last night. In spite of calls, because of calls, it doesn’t matter. Old Forge bet Southern Columbia. That doesn’t mean Southern was “garbage” or “overrated”. Heck if they were, then that win for Old Forge doesn’t look like much, does it? Fact is, Southern Columbia is one of the premier programs in Class A in the state, and Old Forge bet them on a neutral field in Southern’s own district.
Southern also has nothing to be ashamed of. They had a great year, won their district, and ran into a good team in the playoffs. At this point, every team still playing is good. Either team could have won that game last night, but it ended up that Old Forge defense was able to hold for 3 quarters.
As far as the officiating goes, I don’t particularly like calling out refs, but that crew from District 11 either had a bad night or were jsut downright awful. A lot of call and non-call went against Old Forge, and that’s coming from a neutral observer. Heck, it was on TV too, so there’s video evidence.
A Southern player goes into the air and fumbles the ball without ever touching the ground. What’s the call? Down by contact.
An Old Forge receiver gets mauled in the secondary causing Southern to intercept the ball. Where’s the pass interference call?
Even something simple as spotting the ball. The refs spot the ball where it would clearly look like a first down. When they call for 3rd down isntead, and were asked to measure, they ignored everyone. So instead of a 1st and 10, we had a 3rd and -1.
Oh and then the fumble when Old Forge came up with the ball right in the sight of either the line judge or sidge judge, and everyone in the stadium knew it, but apparently, they didn’t see it.
And that’s just a few of the more egregious moments. I definitely think they need to review these guys some more. Even a buddy of mine there, who’s an umpire, was watching and couldn’t believe how bad they were. His words being that their mechanics were good, but their judgement was just plain bad.
In spite of all that though, no call or lack of a call ended up deciding the game, thankfully. It nearly did, but didn’t ultimately.
Old Forge just ended up dominating the line of scrimmage. But it’s still mysterious to me why Southern didn’t continue going to the passing game, because that was working great for them. Especially in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, they seemed determined to try and get the running game going, but just couldn’t get enough momentum going.
One moment that did sit badly with me was when an Old Forge player got hurt and went down, I want to say in the 3rd or 4th quarter, the Southern Columbia fans booed. That was shameful and classless. Be thankful that your team show the class that you couldn’t. Southern’s team took and knee and showed respect every single time an Old Forge player went down, and for that, those kids earned my respect. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the fans there who would boo a kid getting injured.
All junk aside, it was a great game to watch. Even as a neutral observer, I was glad I was able to go and be there in person to watch a classic. Great football game.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Good
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Joe, you said it all, at the beginning of each season every single A program has getting by Southern on their wish list before they even think about the title. That says it all about the program that is Southern Columbia Tigers. We have nothing to explain to anyone when you look at the unequaled success of our program. Start bragging after you all have amassed the trophy case that we have stuffed full of history made in the state of Pa in Class A football. Congrats to Old Forge, hope to see you still standing in December. You played with a lot of heart and won the game and deserve to keep going.
November 23rd, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Riley, southern Columbia does not pick its own schedule. If you had any knowledge of football you would know that. Last time I checked old forge would need to win 20+ district championships and 6 state titles to be considered as good as a program as southerns. As of the game, the game could of went to either way with how both teams were playing. I love when people celebrate like they just won a state championship game against southern when they beat them. All it comes down to is JEALOUSY of the Southern Columbia program.
November 23rd, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Hey Riley,
Are you a freaking ?! “Maybe your team could have an actual shot at a state championship”! If you weren’t living under a rock for the last 20 years, you would know that no one has won more state championships (6) or played in more (13) than any team in PA history. Southern has dominated for two decades and played in a state championship only two years ago regardless of what like you let out of your mouth!
Sincerely,
A person with a logical brain
November 23rd, 2013 at 3:05 pm
nope 6 state titles, 22 district titles, no match whatsoever with any of them. haha you’re a joke riley. Oh and SCA was the closest to beating Clairton during their streak out of anyone. can’t compete? they lost by 5 to old forge, lost to dunmore by 7. Also this is Old Forge’s first ever win against SCA so who couldn’t compete with who before?
November 23rd, 2013 at 2:56 pm
content unapproved. Please keep it respectful. Billy Splain
November 23rd, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Southern was the better team, more talented.Got robbed with the chop block call worst call I’ve ever witnesses. This costed these kids a state title
November 23rd, 2013 at 1:21 pm
If i recall a few weeks ago someone posted that teams from D2(Berwick,AH,WVW or any other AAA/AAAA team) are afraid to play Southern because Southern would destroy them. Southern struggled to compete with an D2 single A team,let alone a 3A or 4A team… Todd you put your foot in your mouth on that one… Southern plays a weak schedule and this is the outcome of it…
November 23rd, 2013 at 12:21 pm
A team’s success is based off of the line play & Old Forge unquestionably had the better line on both sides of the ball. They dominated the Tigers up front & that is why they are moving on and why SCA will be watching from the stands for the rest of the year. It was certainly a great game to watch & Old Forge has to be ecstatic that they finally made it over the hump to beat the Tigers after never before doing it. My prediction is that Old Forge beats Sto-Rox 35-21 in the state final.
November 23rd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Bottom line was that Old Forge won the battle between the trenches. I was shocked to see it, but Old Forge dominated Southern on both sides of the line. The Tigers offensive line got absolutely man-handled all night long & the Blue Devils wore down SCA’s defensive line…Roth must not have much faith in that Tripp kid that is supposed to be a high recruit, which I think he should consider playing small Division 2 or at a Division 3 program if he wants to see the field. He didn’t call a play to Tripp’s side running the entire 4th qtr. They ran to the right every single time in the final quarter? I think Roth should have at least mixed it up to keep the defense honest because Tripp does have the size to open up holes at the high school level and it was almost like Old Forge saw it coming the way they were stacking the box!
November 23rd, 2013 at 11:47 am
SOUTHERN WAS OVERRATED!!! I’m not going to be like Paul & point out the personal flaws in players, but I do agree with how all of their stats were not realistic because they played against horrible teams all season long and that hurt them big time…they couldn’t handle the Devils!
November 23rd, 2013 at 11:31 am
That was certainly a great game to watch if you are a fan of defense. I was shocked that neither team scored more than 35 points yet alone not reaching 20! Unfortunately, the refs flat out sucked and it was a disgrace to have that crew do a state playoff game. I hope the PIAA suspends them for the rest of the season because clearly they had no clue what was going on. The crew was from D11 & actually more calls went SCA’s way then they want for Old Forge. The refs had no clue where to spot the ball at times, missed penalties, and called a couple fumbles down which were terrible calls.
Going off the 2011 comments, I agree that the Tigers had a much better team back then. SCA had a 12-1 record this year, but about ten of those wins came against the school of the blind & deaf. If the two teams were to square off in a game I would say the 2011 team would beat this years team probably around 49-21 and that 2011 team had to earn mostly every win they got which is why they were able to run through the state playoffs all the way to Hershey. This years team had a disadvantage which wasn’t there fault, because they played in the Heartland Division III which is probably the worst league in Pennsylvania if not on the entire east coast of the country.
Other than Feudale & Rarig, all of the offensive stats were padded because they played against such inferior opponents.
The Tigers needed that final piece on offense this year to get them over the hump. I thought Becker made a couple key throws down the stretch, but all year long Rarig bailed him out because lots of times Becker just threw the ball up in the air for grabs hoping that one of his players would come down with it like Marks did late in the game last night. The Tigers needed that accurate passer like Latorre or Fegley, but obviously at the high school level guys like them are once in a generation type of quarterbacks. Hopefully Becker is able to get his accuracy and confidence up over the offseason because he still has two more years and he is big enough to have a successful finish to his career. It would have also helped to have a Moore or Levan’s speed at the running back spot this year. A couple other players with breakaway speed that I remember were guys like Wimble, Springer, & Morton in the past few years.Feudale had an outstanding season, but didn’t have that breakaway speed like those two did. He was a bruising back and I can’t speak enough for hard he ran his entire career. Rarig was clearly all-state worthy and reminded me of Day the way he has a knack for the ball on both sides of the ball. The Tigers are also going to miss Pavlick greatly next season at inside backer because he was in on almost every tackle it seemed all year long. Losing Tillett & Sosnoski in the secondary will also be huge because I dont know of the Tigers have anyone else to fill those spots.
I still have faith that Roth and staff will put together a winning team next season, but I don’t think they can make it to Hershey because I don’t know if they can replace the players they are losing with what I have seen this season. I didn’t see any jv games all year, but I don’t know how many players will help other than the running backs. Marzeski, Jeremiah, Marks, & Noll will be good, but who is going to help Rarig as another receiver? Teams are going to be able to triple team him next year and it’s going to force Becker to look for other options. I also think you will see Becker running more next year from his QB spot because he has a big body that could be beneficial to picking up some chunks of yardage on the ground. 12-1 season isn’t bad because the boys won another D4 title, but with how weak single-A was across the state this season, they almost had it gift wrapped to win gold at states!
November 23rd, 2013 at 10:16 am
It never ceases to amaze me how ridiculous some folks opinions are, and why they feel the need to put them out there for the world to see. Yes, Old Forge played an outstanding game last night and deserved to win. But then you diminish the Blue Devils accomplishment by commenting on how poor this Tiger team is compared to the 2011 team! On top of that, you make another mind numbing statement that the Tigers didn’t beat a good team all year and that they play in a “bad district.” District 4 has quite a number of state championship teams, not to mention many high quality teams who are strong year in and year out. Who the Tigers have played this season had no impact on last night’s game. Ultimately, it was the play of the Blue Devil defense which never allowed the SC running game to “get on track.” It was one score that finished the Tigers season, one that was taken away. Had they won last night, this Tiger team had a very good chance of winning it all, which says a lot for the Blue Devils.
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:42 am
I was impressed with Old Forge. I thought SCA would wear them down and their 2 way starters on the line would tire. That never happened so credit to them for their physicality and conditioning. SCA only had one 2 way starter on the line I believe. Best of luck the rest of the way.
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:40 am
I agree with the regular season comment. The past 2 years SCA was forced to play in the HAC III conference, which has the smallest schools and they’re required to play them. Unfortunately their big games (Mt. Carmel, Selinsgrove, Bloomsburg) were all teams that were having down years. Prior to the last 2 years, SCA played in HAC II because another team in HAC II felt they couldn’t compete there and wanted to move down to HAC III, which allowed SCA to be in HAC II. That team felt they were more competitive and they wanted back in HAC II the past 2 years so SCA had to move back down to HAC III. Let’s just say that team was 1-10 this year and is moving back down to HAC III. SCA will be back in HAC II now. It will be interesting since SCA graduates so many players how well they will do next year.
November 23rd, 2013 at 8:35 am
Watching in the 1st quarter I thought the refs were going to hand the game to Southern. The interception that was ruled interference, Fuedale’s non- fumble had me convinced that Old Forge was going to have the same experience Clairton’s opponents in Hershey had with the officiating but it evened out over all. The real turning point for me was’nt the missed field goal Southern had, it was the personal foul when a Southern player deliberatly raked Yezcavage’s eyes. Yezcavage said on channel 16 it fired him and his teamates up even more. Over the years I wonder how many of Southern’s losses in states have been attributable to a cheap shot providing extra motivation to an opponent?
November 23rd, 2013 at 3:41 am
Finally we got over that hump and beat the Tigers. I have been waiting for this moment for over two decades! Old Forge is loud as ever right now. Lots of celebration going on because we knocked off the top team!
Congrats to Southern on another great year, but I have even following the comments on this site about the comparison to the team that beat is back in 2011 and that Southern team was outstanding. Not to diminish the accomplishments of this years Tiger team, but the team two years ago would Mercy Rule the team they had this year. In 2011, SCA had a better quarterback, faster running backs, a stronger offensive line, and better playmakers on the defense. That is why that team made it to the state final and this years southern team is done in the first round. Plus, Southern didn’t beat a good team all year to prove they were worthy of the top seed in the playoffs. They play in a bad district and it showed tonight.
I am excited to see if we can beat Sch. Haven next week, then I think we will go all the way to Hershey finally.
Old Forge is moving on!!!