Gaige Garcia and younger brother Gavin Garcia combine for all of Southern's touchdowns
By BRAD PRICE
Fourth Quarter Media
HERSHEY - Gaige Garcia and Gavin Garcia combined to score everyone of Southern's touchdowns in the state title game vs Wilmington.
Gaige Garcia, the veteran of the Tigers' backfield, made what could be considered the play of Southern's season — a catch in between two defenders and broke his way into the end zone, scoring with one second left in the first half to tie the game.
"Coach Roth called my number and I had to break some tackles to get in the end zone," Gaige Garcia said. "I'd have to say that so far that was my defining play of my career so far. It was such a big play and really got us kick started as a team going into halftime."
"That was a huge momentum changer, I feel like when he caught that, we knew that would change the game," Gavin Garcia said.
Gaige Garcia who had five touchdowns on the day, was just too much for Wilmington.
He was running over, through and around defenders all game. The hard running became contagious for the Garcia family as freshman Gavin Garcia followed up with a two-touchdown game on his own.
This included a 33-yard run in which he juked out two defenders before showing speed to the end zone.
"I knew I was on the shallow side of the field and I saw a guy was planted so I hopped back and found the crease and then out ran them to the end zone," Gavin Garcia said.
Southern once again dominated Wilmington on the back of the running game and really outmatched the Greyhounds upfront and went to the ground game all game long. The Garcia brothers combined for 234 yards rushing alone, with a good chunk coming in the second half where Wilmington was outscored 35-0.
"I knew we'd come out to play in that second half, we knew that they (Wilmington) had a tough defense but we knew we were the better team and we wanted it more," Gaige Garcia said.
Southern showed dominance in that second half and was a huge reason behind the win. The offense line continued to drive a big Wilmington front off the ball.
"I have to give credit to the offensive line today, they really came out and played tough like they usually do and they were a big reason behind my success today," Gaige Garcia said.
The Garcia brothers were a big reason behind Southern's record breaking ninth state title. The bad news for opposing defenses is they will both be back next year to defend the crown.
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