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)
56 Responses
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.
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
@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.
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.
Sounds like these refs are the same crew that did the berwick / crestwood game 2 weeks ago.
@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.
@ 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.
thanks jive…took care of it
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.
@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!
Well said Tigerfan…well said!!!
Berwick beat a district 11 team but thats it catty easton and east stroudsburg south beat district 2 teams
If other districts are bad, how comes catty beat lake lehman? Every time district 11 plays district 2, district 11 wins.
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.
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.
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
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.
@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.
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.
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
just curious Corey, what district do you rep?
@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.
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
@ 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 !!!!
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