Hard
Work Pays Off...
Upcoming Events:
September 4th
Season Opener @ Line Mt. 7pm
September 21st Booster Meeting 7pm @ HS Library
“The Program”
The Southern Columbia Tigers are one of the most successful football programs in Pennsylvania and one of the best small-school programs in the country. Since the advent of the PIAA playoff system in 1988, the Tigers have competed in 12 of the 21 Class A state finals, winning six, including a state record five in a row from 2002 through 2006. From 1998 though 2006, the Tigers appeared in every State Championship game.
In his 26 seasons as Head Coach of the Tigers, Jim Roth and his staff have amassed a record of 306-54-2 (84.5% winning percentage). His teams have appeared in the playoffs every year, have won 10 or more games in 23 of his 26 seasons and have never had a losing season. In 2009, Coach Roth became the youngest head coach in Pennsylvania to reach the career milestone of 300 wins.
Love that “Southern Tiger Fire”
Two SCA students put together a very entertaining video entitled “Southern Tiger Fire” for a class project. Many thanks to Evan Day and Kyle Fabian for sharing their work with us.
Season Preview from Coach Roth
Tigers in the Net
'Tis the season for football previews and the News-Item is first out of the gate with a team preview plus Chuck Souders notes the return of the 2009 News-Item Player of the Year (and All State fullback) Jake Morton.
The Daily Item reports that Tiger Alum Henry Hynoski '07 was named the top fullback in the country in his class by CBSSports.com. Also in the Daily Item we find out that Henry was part of a recent commercial promoting Pittsburgh Panther Football.
The Tiger Family lost one of its own recently when Geoffrey Michaelesko, starting lineman on the 2004 State Championship team and Iraq War Veteran, passed away following a motorcycle accident. Our deepest condolences go out to Geoffrey's family and friends.
The annual District 4 All Star Game will be played once again on Friday, June 25th at Rodney Morgans Stadium in South Williamsport. Southern players will include John Lamb DT, Ian Van Wieren OL, and Brad Witcoskie OL. Read about it in the News-Item.
Tiger head coach Jim Roth and the undefeated Southern Columbia 1994 PIAA State Championship team, one of the most dominating Class A teams ever, were inducted into the Bernie Romanoski Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame at the annual induction on April 17th. Read about it in the News-Item.
Spring practice has begun for college football programs and Tiger alum Henry Hynoski (2007) is turning heads with his physical play for the Pitt Panthers. Read the article at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The Press-Enterprise recently named their “All-Decade Team” of football players in their coverage area. Named to the first team were Southern standouts Bob Admire LB, Kyle Connaghan S, Ian Fullmer OL, Henry Hynoski RB, Josh Marks OL, Matt Murdock CB, Bryan “BJ” Snyder Jr K, Colby Snyder WR, and Ryan Slater LB. The second team is full of amazing talent as well, including Tom Admire CB, Sean Connaghan TE, Chase Fraley OL, Nich Gallinot LB, Josh Hoagland OL, Cody Jones OL, Dan Latorre QB, Steve Roth RB, Nate Scicchitano OS, and Brad Sones DE.
Brad Witcoskie continues the tradition by being named to the WNEP-TV Super 16 Dream Team for 2009. More Tigers have been named to the Dream Team over its seven year history than other other area team. Plus, Coach Roth was given the Coaching Achievement Award recognizing his many accomplishments over his 26 year (so far) head coaching career. You can see video of the program on the WNEP Sports website. Scroll down for the Dream Team Banquet videos: Part 1 for the presentation to Coach Roth and part 3 for the presentation to Brad Witcoskie.
The AP All State Team is now the Pennsylvania Sportswriters All State Team and congratulations are in order to first team selection Jake Morton FB and second team selection Brad Witcoskie OL.
The Reading Eagle's All-Anthracite Team includes Jake Morton FB, Ian Van Wieren OL, Brad Witcoskie OL, Bryan “BJ” Snyder K and Tom Schetroma DL.
The Daily Item reports that the District 4 All Star team includes 1st team selection Bryan “BJ” Snyder, Jr K plus Tyrell Thomas RB, Jake Morton RB, and Brad Witcoskie OL on the 2nd team and Jake Townsend QB, John Lamb OL and Ian Van Wieren OL as Honorable Mention.
The All-EasternPAFootball.com Small School Team includes the Tigers record-breaking kicker Bryan “BJ” Snyder Jr., and offensive lineman John Lamb as Honorable Mention.Jake Morton, the Tigers' outstanding junior fullback, was named the area MVP by both the Press-Enterprise and the News-Item. Read the News-Item story by Dan Burda here.
The News-Item All Area team includes Jake Townsend QB, Jake Morton FB, Billy Shoop SE, Tom Schetroma DT, and Brad Witcoskie OL.
The Press-Enterprise recently named their All-Star team and along with MVP Jake Morton the first team included Jake Townsend QB, Brad Witcoskie OL, John Lamb OL, Bryan “BJ” Snyder, Jr K, and Tom Schetroma DT. Second teamers include Tyrell Thomas RB, Ian Van Wieren OL, Billy Shoop WR, Tim Benner Off Specialist, Alex Fidler LB, Ethan Snyder LB, and Jared Hallick DB.
The press box must have been bulging as coverage of the Southern vs. Tri-Valley playoff game included Chuck Souders at the News-Item, the Daily Item, EasternPAFootball, Patriot News, plus extra News-Item coverage from Kevin Keating and Dan Burda.
Tri-Valley playoff previews can be found at the News-Item, Pottsville Republican, and Daily Item plus Harold Raker talked to junior QB Jake Townsend for the Daily Item, as well.
The News-Item's Dan Burda talked to Mike Kogut, head coach of the Tigers' next playoff opponent, The Tri-Valley Bulldogs.
Twelve Tigers were named to the Heartland Conference Division II All-Star Team for 2009. First teamers include Ian Van Wieren OL, John Lamb OL, Brad Witcoskie OL, Jake Morton RB, Jake Townsend QB, Tom Schetroma DL, Corey Bittner TE, B.J. Snyder K, and Ethan Snyder LB. Second team selections are Tyrell Thomas RB, Billy Shoop SE, and Jared Hallick DB. The News-Item and Daily Item have the stories.
The Tigers first state playoff win since the 2006 State Championship was covered by the News-Item, Daily Item, Times-Leader, and was also covered by EasternPAFootball.com.
Chuck Souders profiles junior Jake Morton, the latest in a long line of great Tiger fullbacks, in the News-Item.
Rod Frisco of the Harrisburg Patriot-News discovered something we knew all along: that Southern is a very good football team. Read about his discovery in his weekly 1st and 10 column (#5).
District 4 Championship coverage is at the News-Item and Daily Item.
Ed Washuta took note of Southern's epic 90 yard, 18 play, nearly 11 minute touchdown drive that sealed the win over Bloomsburg in the District 4-A semifinal. Read his take at the Coal Region Voice blog.
Dan Burda profiles Joe Klebon, the Tigers' own Bionic Lineman, in the News-Item.
The new classifications for the next two years are out and major changes include Bloomsburg moving back to AA and Shamokin moving back to AAA. See the complete list at EasternPAFootball.com.
The Panther Stadium Curse is broken and the News-Item and Daily Item witnessed the exorcism.
Finally, a Friday night without rain and the Daily Item and News-Item were there for the Tiger victory at Alumni Stadium in Milton.
The Silver Bowl is one of the best places in the state to watch a high school football game and the Daily Item and News-Item didn't miss their chance to see the Tigers top the Red Tornadoes.
Freelance writer Bill Mosser posted an article on Southern Columbia Football on the PA Football News website.
Enduring the rain once again, the News-Item and Daily Item covered the Tiger's win over the Central Columbia Blue Jays.
The Daily Item and News-Item were there for the cold, wet, but very game struggle between Southern and the Selinsgrove Seals.
After their 3 point win over Southern, Tim Hare of the Press-Enterprise quotes a Bloomsburg player inexplicably saying that the Panthers should have won the two games against the Tigers last year (despite losing both by 41 points) and that “Kicking the crap out of Southern Columbia is so much fun”. Let's hope that player's sentiment finds it's way to a permanent and prominent spot in the Tigers' weight room.
Stories on the Tiger/Panther rivalry game are in the Daily Item and News-Item.
The prep website Football Friday Night lists Coach Roth as #5 in winning percentage (85.3%) among active coaches with 300 wins and #8 all-time.
Along with the historic 300th win, the News-Item reports that Bryan “BJ” Snyder, Jr. made some history of his own becoming the Tigers' career leader in extra points with 194.
Making history in high school football doesn't happen very often – check the stories on Coach Roth's 300th win in the Daily Item and News-Item plus read the great editorial in the News-Item giving credit where credit is due.
The News-Item looks at the Tigers' playoff situation in the Warrior Run game preview.
The Lancers survive the 4th quarter this time and get their first win over the Tigers in 17 tries. Read the coverage in the Daily Item, News-Item and, from the Loyalsock perspective, the Sun-Gazette.
Ed Washuta talked to Coach Roth about the upcoming game with Loyalsock which could be #300 in the win column for the the Tiger's longtime head coach. See the video on the Coal Region Voice blog.
The News-Item and Daily Item were there for the 500+ yard offensive performance in the Tigers win over the Jersey Shore Bulldogs.
The wild (42 Tiger pass attempts!) and woolly game against Montoursville is covered in the News-Item and by the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
Dan Burda previews the second edition of the Tigers vs. Montoursville rivalry at the News-Item website.
See the coverage of the Tigers' opening night win over the Shamokin Indians at the Daily Item and News-Item.
Looking ahead to the new season, Chuck Souders talked to Coach Roth in the News-Item season preview.
PCN will pay a visit to Tiger Stadium on September 11th to record the action when the Montoursville Warriors take on the Tigers. The game will be broadcast to a statewide audience on September 12th at 9pm. See the full “Game of the Week” schedule on the PCN website.
The guys at Prep Nation Radio covered the Berwick 7v7 and spoke to Coach Roth along with the other head coaches at the competition about the upcoming season. Listen to the MP3 or get it from iTunes and subscribe to their podcast.
Former All-State Tiger quarterback Dan Latorre (2005) will soon begin his fourth season as the starting quarterback for the Bloombsurg Huskies. Described as “one of the best to ever wear the uniform at that position”, Latorre is featured prominently in the Huskies' 2009 season preview.
Tiger alum Matt Koziol (2005) was recently honored by the National Football Foundation with his induction into the Hampshire Honor Society in recognition of his accomplishments on the field, in the community and in the classroom at Susquehanna University where he was a four-year letter winner at split end.
The South takes the win over the North in a very well-played District 4 All Star Game by a score of 24-14. Coach Roth gets the win as head coach and seniors Austin Carpenter, Chase Fraley, Matt Miller, Steve Roth, Ken Schetroma and Sam Springer get one last high school football game together. Roth was named “Overall MVP” for the game with Sam Springer joining him as the “Offensive Player of the Game” for the South Team. Read the stories in the News-Item and Daily Item.
While the 2009 schedule is already set, Tim Hare reports in the Press-Enterprise that Southern will once again play the Danville Ironmen beginning in 2010 after a two-year break in the 40+ year series. Along with the Ironmen, the Tigers will again play the resurgent Lewisburg Green Dragons plus non-league and frequent playoff opponent Line Mountain. Dropping from the 2010 schedule are Milton, Jersey Shore and Warrior Run.
Josh Funk interviewed Coach Roth about the nearing the 300 win milestone in his column on EasternPAFootball.com.
The Press-Enterprise reports that Ken Schetroma and Steve Roth are headed to Susquehanna University to play football this fall.
The Heartland Conference names an Academic All-Star Team that includes those players who lettered in their sport and also were on their school's honor roll for 3 consecutive marking periods including the period for the sport they lettered in. The Tigers have 30 players on the Academic All-Star Team, representing over half the players on the roster.
Congratulations to All State lineman Chase Fraley and best wishes as he continues his football career at Division II Kutztown University. Check the rest of the incoming class at Kutztown on their website.
Continuing the tradition, Steve Roth will represent Southern Columbia on the 2008 WNEP-TV 16 “Dream Team”. Every Dream Team has had at least one Tiger on it since its inception in 2003. the Dream Team Banquet is set for January 24th; watch for highlights on Channel 16.
The PA Football News Class A All-PFN features Chase Fraley OL, Aaron Yoder LB and Steve Roth RB on the 2nd team plus BJ Snyder PK and Ken Schetroma TE on the 3rd team. Sam Springer RB/LB is listed as Honorable Mention.
The All-EasternPAFootball.com Small School Team includes Aaron Yoder LB, Steve Roth RB and Chase Fraley OL.
The Small School All-Anthracite team from the Reading Eagle honors Chase Fraley OL, Steve Roth RB and Sam Springer Kick Returner (!?) plus honorable mention John Lamb OL, Ken Schetroma DE, Tony Drain LB, Aaron Yoder LB and Austin Carpenter P.
The Daily Item All-Star team has Steve Roth RB, Chase Fraley OL, Sam Springer Athlete, and Ken Schetroma DL on the first team. The second team has John Lamb OL, Bryan Snyder Jr K and Tony Drain LB. Sam Springer and Ken Schetroma are also on the honorable mention list at RB and TE, respectively. Other honorable mention players are Austin Carpenter RB, Aaron Yoder LB, Matt Miller LB , Joe Admire DB, and Austin Carpenter again at punter. (No link – what's up Daily Item?).
The honors keep rolling in: the Press-Enterprise named Steve Roth their “Offensive Back of the Year” and Chase Fraley OL, Sam Springer Offensive Specialist, Bryan Snyder Jr K, and Ken Schetroma DL joined him on the first team. Brad Witcoskie OL, Tony Drain LB, Aaron Yoder LB and Austin Carpenter P were named to the second team. (Links are behind a subscription wall but still worth noting).
Tiger All-State players for 2009 are Steve Roth RB, Chase Fraley OL and Aaron Yoder LB, all on the 2nd team. Read the article in the Daily-Item.
Stories on the Tigers final game of a great 2008 season are at the Daily Item and Scranton Times-Tribune.
Playoff previews abound: Daily Item, and Scranton Times-Tribune.
On the video front, Ed Washuta hears from Coach Roth on the upcoming state playoff game with Riverside and, from the District 2 point of view, Scranton Times-Tribune reporter Joby Fawcett previews the week 13 games.
The Daily Item's Harold Raker highlights Tiger senior captain Chase Fraley and his work on the offensive line. Apparently working overtime, Harold also talked to Riverside head coach Harry Armstrong about the upcoming state playoff game.
Stories on the Tiger's D4-A title win over the Line Mountain Eagles are at EasternPAFootball.com, Reading Eagle, Daily Item, and Patriot-News. Plus, Bill95 play-by-play broadcaster Ed Washuta reviews the game in his CoalRegionVoice blog and shares his love of Mrs. Sharrow's peanut butter pie.
Previews of the District 4-A title game are at the Daily Item.
Ed Washuta talks to Coach Roth about the upcoming District 4-A Championship game against Line Mountain in his CoalRegionVoice Blog.
Several Tigers were named to the Heartland Division II All-Star Team. Congratulations to 1st teamers Steve Roth RB, Chase Fraley OL John Lamb OL, Ken Schetroma DL, Tony Drain LB and Austin Carpenter P. The 2nd team includes BJ Snyder K, Tom Schetroma DL, Matt Miller LB, Dave Fegley DB and Joe Admire DB.
Details of the Tigers' playoff win against Bloom can be found at the the Daily Item.
Another Tiger alum in the news: former defensive back and MIT grad Josh Maciejewski (2003) was recently commissioned a Navy officer after successfully completing OCS. Josh is now attending the Navy's Nuclear Power School in South Carolina according to the Press-Enterprise.
The Press-Enterprise reports that Todd Nolan, former Tiger lineman and co-captain of the 1994 State Championship team, recently earned a PhD in neurophysiology from East Carolina University. Congratulations!
Bill Bowman reports on All-State Tiger alumni and current Bloomsburg University quarterback Dan Latorre (2005) as the Huskies prepare for the PSAC East title game. Read his story at the Daily Item.
Links to stories on the Mt Carmel game are at EasternPAFootball.com, Reading Eagle and Daily Item.
You'll find reports on the Southern win over the Blue Jays at the Daily Item website.
Mike Drago of the Reading Eagle recently profiled former All-State Tiger lineman Mark Scisly (1997) in his first season as Head Football Coach of the Boyertown Bears.
If you don't want to read about the Tigers' big loss to Selinsgrove, don't click these links: Daily Item, and still more from the Daily Item.
Exciting tales of revenge and redemption (coverage of the Southern/Bloom game) are at the Daily Item and EasternPAFootball.com.
Coach Jim Roth was a guest on the September 27th edition of “In the Huddle”, an Internet broadcast analyzing the week's football games hosted by Dr. Phil Manney of the Black Diamond Sports Network. Hear the replay in their archives.
The Daily Item made the rainy drive to Turbotville to report on the Tigers win over the Defenders.
Read coverage of the lopsided win over Loyalsock in the Daily-Item plus Loyalsock's hometown paper, the Sun-Gazette.
Ed Washuta heard from Coach Roth about the upcoming Loyalsock game in his Coal Region Voice Blog.
Reporting on the Tigers' trip to Jersey Shore was EasternPAFootball.com.
Coverage of the comeback win over Montoursville can be found at the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Daily Item, and EasternPAFootball.com.
The Daily Item took note of the Schetroma brothers, Ken & Tom, who are making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks from their positions on the defensive line.
Stories on the Tiger victory over the Shamokin Indians can be found in the Daily Item and coverage from Shawn Weller of EasternPAFootball.com.
Western PA writer Terry Rodgers talked to Coach Roth and several successful alumni about the unique history of Tiger Football and the challenge of the upcoming season. Read his piece at the Pittsburgh Sports Report .
All-State Tiger alum Bob Admire (2005) was named 'Most Improved Defensive Player” after spring camp for the University of Maine Black Bears. Admire returns for his junior season in 2008 at linebacker slotted #2 behind a returning all-conference senior.
Tiger running back Andrew Wimble was named South Offensive Player of the Game in the annual North-South District 4 All-Star Game with the North carrying the day 20-7. Read about it in the Daily Item.
Four Tiger seniors get one more chance to play high school football when Aaron Farnsworth, Colby Snyder, Andrew Wimble and Justin Knoebel play in the North-South All Star Senior Football Classic. The game is scheduled for 7pm, June 27th, at Rodney K. Morgans Stadium in South Williamsport. The 2007 SCA Cheerleaders also make a final appearance as the squad cheering on the South team. Read more in the Daily Item.
Congratulations to 2007 Tiger captains and now District 4 Track & Field champs Justin Knoebel (shot put) and Ted Heitzman (javelin). Also heading to Shippensburg for states are runners-up junior linebacker Sam Springer (100m) and senior superfan Nate Leighow (3200m). Other Tigers in the top 8 at the District 4 meet were junior linebacker Tony Drain (110m hurdles), senior defensive back Zeke Conrad (200m), junior lineman Ken Schetroma (shot put), and sophomore defensive back Billy Shoop (800m). Also, the 4x100 relay team of Springer, Conrad, Drain and junior fullback Steve Roth and the 4x800 relay team of Leighow, Shoop, sophomore defensive back David Shoop and senior European-style footballer Greg Miles were top 8 finishers as well. Full District 4 results can be found on the PIAA website.
While not technically a Tiger, Coach Bill Scott of Selinsgrove has certainly been a big part of Tiger History, especially during the very competitive series from 1996-2002. His recent resignation was truly the end of an era in District 4 football. Read the story in the Daily Item.
Tiger alum Mark Scisly (1997) was recently named head coach at AAAA Boyertown Area HS in Berks County. Read all about it in the Reading Eagle. Plus, check out the website for his Boyertown Bears.
Congratulations to Press-Enterprise All-Stars Chase Fraley OL and Colby Snyder DB. Named to the second team were Ken Schetroma DL, Steve Roth RB, Sam Springer LB, Zeke Conrad DB and Tyler Wilson OL.
The PA Foootball News Class A All-PFN Team includes Colby Snyder, 1st team offense and Justin Knoebel, 2nd team offense. Plus, Ted Heitzman, Sam Springer, and Chase Fraley are listed as honorable mention.
The Reading Eagle All-Anthracite Small School Team includes:
Offense: Aaron Farnsworth, tight end; Chase Fraley, offensive line. Honorable mentions include: Ted Heitzman, quarterback; Andrew Wimble, running back; Steve Roth, running back; Justin Knoebel, offensive line; and Mike Moyer, offensive line.
Defense: Colby Snyder, defensive back. Honorable mentions include: Joe Picarelli, defensive end; Ken Schetroma, offensive line; Tony Drain, linebacker; and Zeke Conrad, defensive back.
Harold Raker reports in the Daily Item that Coach Roth has turned down the head coaching job at Shikellamy to remain at Southern (quotes from Coach Roth in a second story). Many thanks go out to those who made their voices heard and to the administration and board members for recognizing what Jim Roth means to Southern Columbia. Happy New Year!
The AP Class A All-State list includes our own Colby Snyder (1st team offensive specialist) and Justin Knoebel (2nd team offensive lineman). Read the story in the Daily-Item.
The Daily Item named several Tigers to their All-Star Team:
Offense: Colby Snyder, wide receiver; Chase Fraley, lineman, Steve Roth, utility player
Defense: Joe Picarelli, defensive end; Ken Schetroma, lineman; Tony Drain, linebacker; Zeke Conrad, defensive back; Colby Snyder, defensive back
Harold Raker reports in the Daily Item that Coach Roth has applied for the open position at his alma mater, Shikellamy High School. But, he hasn't decided whether he will leave Southern; it depends on whether the school recognizes the need to upgrade the coaching position to prepare for the new Heartland Conference. Folks, now would be the time to contact SCA Board Members and find out what they are doing to keep Coach Roth at SCA!
The Daily Item reported on Southern's first playoff loss since 2001. Plus, Tim Hare of the Press-Enterprise quotes Coach Roth saying his status is “up in the air” and may not return next season (say it isn't so!)
Harold Raker looks back at Line Mountain's loss to the Millersburg Indians and gives us his predictions for this weekend's playoff games in his Daily Item column.
Great coverage of the Tigers' victory over the Ironmen can be found in the Daily Item. And, Ed Washuta points out that Colby Snyder broke Matt Murdock's career reception record in his Coal Region Voice Blog.
The Tigers win over Central Columbia was covered by the Daily Item.
Harold Raker reviews the District 4 Class A playoff possibilities in his weekly column in the Daily Item.
Writer Chris Rosetti was all over the SCA vs. Clarion game filing stories for the Daily Item and D9Sports.com.
Stories on the Hughesville victory by the usual suspects can be found in the Daily Item. Shawn Weller of EasternPAFootball reported on the game as well.
Using words like “dominated” and “pounded”, the local papers report on the Tigers' important victory over Warrior Run. Read the story in the Daily Item.
Check the coverage of the win over Lewisburg at the Daily Item.
The 2007 version of the Southern-Mt. Carmel rivalry attracted a lot of media coverage. See the post-game stories in the Reading Eagle, Daily Item, and EasternPAFootball.com.
Post-mortem of the loss to Bloomsburg can be found in the Daily Item.
The Daily Item declared Southern Columbia Football the “best of the best” of all area sports programs. Read Todd Sanford's story on their website.
PennLive.com blogger Josh Funk provides his view of the 2007 Tigers prospects in his Western Pa Football blog.
Shannon Flynn of the Press-Enterprise reports that former Tiger fullback Eric Trometter (2002) has received the Army Commendation Medal for “meritorious service” and “exceptional” leadership qualities while serving our country in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Recent Tiger alum Nich Gallinot (2007) was profiled by the Daily Item as he prepared for his final game before heading to Parris Island to begin life as a U.S. Marine.
Our own Henry Hynoski (2007) and future Pitt Panther helped Pennsylvania defeat Ohio in the Big 33 game. Find details in this Daily Item story.
Read coverage of the 2006 State Final from the perspective of West Middlesex' hometown paper, the Sharon Herald. Also, coverage from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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