FROM THE SIDELINES:   By LARRY 'Skinner' SPEGAR


Southern Columbia Rolls On With Convincing Win Over Lackawanna Trail:

         The Southern Columbia Tigers continued their march on Friday November 18 with yet another impressive State Playoff victory.   The Tigers used a dominant offense together with a hard hitting defense to record a33-15 win over Lackawanna Trail.  Southern continued its mastery over the Lions with 4 consecutive victories over Trail since the first meeting in 2000.   2 of the contests over the years have been in the Eastern Finals.

           Southern opened the scoring with a 20 yard TD jaunt by power back, Henry Hynoski for a 6-0first quarter lead.   Trail countered with an impressive drive thanks to a 60 yard kickoff return for a field goal with 4:43 remaining before the half.  But this is where the momentum shifted in favor of Southern.   Just one play and 19 seconds later, Hynoski was off again running on a powerful 47 yard TD scamper that literally left the Lions defenseless.   With the score now13-3, Southern would score again in the second quarter courtesy of a nice drive ending with a 6 yard TD run by quarterback, Ted Heitzman, giving Southern a commanding 19-3 lead with just 33 seconds remaining before half.

         While things looked bad for Trail at this point, it became even worse in the next possession.   Capitalizing on a Trail miscue, Southern's Ted Heitzman connected on the very first play with Tom Admire for a nifty 35 yard completion giving the Tigers a golden opportunity to blow the game wide open for sure.   They did.   With no time remaining in the first half, Heitzman again hit Admire, this time for a scoring strike for 11yards and again in the right corner of the field.   The two catches by Admire serve notice to all that he is in facta quality receiver who is capable of making the big catch. Just ask Lackawanna Trail!   Admire  's TD reception as time expired in the second quarter gave Southern a dominant 26-3 halftime lead.

         Trail exhibited great character by fashioning a nice opening drive in the third quarter resulting in a 4 yard TD run by Josh Dixon at the 7:28 mark making the score26-9.   However, any thoughts of a Trail comeback were quickly dashed as fast as you can say Kyle Connaghan.   The senior tailback from Southern dashed his way on a brilliant reverse which netted 55 yards and another Tiger TD.   Connaghan remains impressive and gives defenses across the state nightmares with the thought of stopping both he and his awesome counterpart, Mr. Hynoski.  The Connaghan TD came at the 5:00 mark of the third quarter and gave the Tigers an impressive and comfortable 33-9 lead.   Trail would finish the scoring with a 45 yard TD pass from Colin Dwyer to Eric Steve.   The final score:   Southern Columbia 33 and Lackawanna Trail 15.

         Hats off to Lackawanna Trail Head Coach, Jeff Wasilchak and the rest of his able staff.   The Lions proved again this year that they are in fact the cream of the crop in District 2 competition, winning their fourth District 2 Title in the past 5 seasons.   This year  's contest with Southern was definitely more of a contest than in prior attempts.     But the Tigers are still a force to reckoned with as far as the road to Hershey is concerned.      

Southern Columbia Stops Schuylkill Haven With 31-6 Victory

This is always an epic battle.   From this viewpoint, the focus seems to be on who can stop the other.   Southern has proved over the years that their dominant offense is in fact a penetrating force which has caused multiple problems for defenders across the state.   Stopping the Tigers offense is indeed a formidable task.   Schuylkill Haven has an impressive offense this season as well to say the least.   This game may come down to which offense is able to control the tempo of the game.  If Southern can move the ball with success, the Hurricanes will surely be in for a long afternoon.   At the same time, should Schuylkill Haven move the ball on the Tigers, it makes for a mighty interesting day of classic PA high school football.   Southern will need inspired play from its defense to seal the deal.   Look foreither or both defenses to play pivotal and perhaps monumental roles factoring in the overall outcome of this game of high power football programs.   The tradition of both schools is impressive to say the least.   One final thought, in addition to defense, look for big plays on special teams and senior leadership to factor into this great contest as well.  When it comes down to it, the team which wants the victory more, willsurely find a way to win.   For Southern Columbia and Schuylkill Haven, these schools always seem to find a way to get things done!

On Saturday afternoon, Southern used it  's traditional consistent and explosive defense to master an impressive 31-6 win over a very good Schuylkill Haven team.   While Schuylkill Haven enjoyed a fine season, motivated in large part by the sad and sudden loss of it  's long time mentor at the start of the season, the Hurricanes had accomplished great things this 2005 football season.   However, Saturday afternoon would prove tobe the ultimate test as the Tigers of Southern Columbia proved once again that they are the real deal; the true beast in the East with a big win at Pottsville Stadium to send the Tigers on their way to yet another Eastern Final and a possible shot at a state tying four consecutive State Titles.  

Southern  's offense was again dominant and unstoppable.   Junior workhorse, Henry Hynoski was a major factor ripping off large gains and capping a wonderful afternoon with two TDs, including a classic 95 yard burst which left the fans gaping with wonder as the talented young man from Southern ran through tackles, stiff armed his way down the field and appeared invincible as he and the Tigers rumbled into the record books with another impressive and big win for the Tiger football program.   As indicated earlier herein, it was the Tiger defense which impressed as well with a resounding effort in keeping a rather explosive Hurricane offense in check for most of the game.   Schuylkill Haven would score it  's only points in the waning minutes of the game.  Not a good game plan if you  're expecting to have any success against theTigers.   But that is Southern football doing what they do best and making things extremely difficult for the opposition.

It was a game of big plays.  Hynoski 's runs were big momentum lifts for the Tigers.   Also, worthy of praise is the work of Kyle Connaghan.   The senior captain stepped up big time for the injured starting quarterback, Ted Heitzman, who was unable to play Saturday due to an infection in his leg.   Connaghan, a true trooper to the cause, stepped in at quarterback.   That  's right, at quarterback, a position he has not played since grade school days.   He has helped the team tremendously in his high school career as a stellar running back and doubling at defensive back.   This highly motivated and talented young man energized the Tiger team from the start as if he played the quarterback position all season.  Connaghan even sealed the deal with a nifty 65 yard TD run on a quarterback keeper in the second half.  What an effort!   Also, kicker Ian Fullmer, who goes both ways on the offensive and defensive lines, is continuing to impress with his kicking game adding a nice 30 yard field goal in the second quarter.   Add to that a constant and consistent ground game by Southern with a relentless and attacking defense andy ou spell victory for the Tigers yet again.  Credit again and again that wonderful Southern Coaching Staff led by the great Jim Roth.   How many times can Coach Roth put together such a masterful game plan and motivate the very best from his players to get the type of performance he gets from these players week in and out and year after year.   Stopping Schuylkill Haven on Saturday was no easy assignment and having the type of consistency and success on both sides on the ball does not come from luck or by accident.   It is the result of great strategy and preparation and it is the type of excellence and work ethic we have come to learn and appreciate from the Southern Columbia football program over these many years.   Congratulations to Schuylkill Haven on a fine season and Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Tigers of Southern Columbia on their bid for yet another Eastern PA Football Title and a return trip to Hershey for a remarkable shot at a fourth straight PA A Football Championship.


         Predictions For Week 14:   Eastern and Western Finals

AAAA         East:     North Penn over Bethlehem Liberty ;  West:     McKeesport over Bishop McDevitt

AAA           East:      Manheim Central over Pottsville;       West:     Franklin over GeneralMcLane

AA             East:      Wilson over Montoursville;                West:     South Park overReynolds

A               East:      Southern Columbia over Steelton-Highspire;  West:           Duquesne over Coudersport

Larry reminds every one that he was 4-4 in last year's Finals' Selections.


         GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS AND BEST WISHES FOR A STATE TITLE!!!!!        


                                            FROM THE SIDELINES:   By LARRY "Skinner"  SPEGAR