Gaige Garcias dazzles and defense packs a punch in win.
Daniel Lipovsky
Fourth Quarter Media
FRANKLIN TWP. — Gavin Garcia scored three touchdowns on just three touches to help Southern Columbia defeat Selingsgrove, 48-0, in high school football on Friday night. Gavin Garcia carried the ball twice for 96 yards and two touchdowns and added a 26-yard receiving touchdown.
Julian Fleming got the Tigers riled up carrying the Jolly Roger flag onto the field. He helped the Tigers get on track early. Fleming caught the first two passes of the game for 52 yards and a score putting the Tigers up early.
Wide receiver Julian Fleming lived up to the highlight-reel bill, toting the Tigers’ customary Jolly Roger flag out onto the field before the game and added the game’s first score on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Stone Hollenbach.
But the Tigers getting back on track with their rushing attack was the real key to the team’s success.
"It's definitely a confidence booster," Gaige Garcia said. "Last week was really rough with the run game but today, my brother especially, he really stepped it up. He had a crazy game today."
Gaige Garcia was held to 56 yards on 14 carries against Mount Carmel a week ago. Friday night was a different story for him, as he gashed the seals for 122 yards on seven carries. His brother, Gavin Garcia, also rebounded from a week ago after being limited to 33 yards against the Red Tornadoes.
Southern’s defense stifled the Selingsgrove passing attack, allowing just 77 yards on 23 attempts. The Tigers pressured the Seals the entire game, ending the game with four sacks. Preston Zachman added a pick six in the second quarter.
“I was just jamming the tight end and took my drop and the quarterback threw the ball right to me,” Zachman said.
Selinsgrove came it with a strong passing attack and with a group of receivers that liked to run double moves. Zachman’s interception to give the Tigers a 34-0 lead in the second quarter all but sealed.
Southern scored all 48 points in the first half then went into cruise control in the second. With mercy rule in effect the Tigers had the luxury of playing their reserve players to run the clock out.
“You know, I thought this week we had our offense play a lot more efficient especially in the run game,” Stone Hollenbach said.
Although the Tigers dominated the game they won’t be resting on their laurels.
“We won by 48 but were going to get back to work tomorrow and this whole week and prepare for Shamokin,” Hollenbach said.
Shamokin head coach Henry Hynoski visits Southern for the first time as an opposing head coach.
Selinsgrove 0 0 0 0 — 0
Southern 20 28 0 0 — 48
First quarter
SC — Julian Fleming 7 pass from Stone Hollenbach (Ethan Dunkelberger kick), 922
SC — Gavin Garcia 38 run (kick failed), 6:26
SC — Gav. Garcia 26 pass from Hollenbach (Dunkelberger kick), 3:36
Second quarter
SC — Gaige Garcia 34 run (Dunkelberger kick), 9:19
SC — Preston Zachman 30 interception return (Dunkelberger kick), 8:30
SC — Gav. Garcia 58 run (Dunkelberger kick), 6:51
SC — Ty Roadarmel 5 run (Dunkelberger kick), 3:45
Se SCA
First down 10 14
Rushing-yds. 34-52 27-354
Passing att-com-int 8-23-1 4-6-0
Passing yds 77 91
Total 129 446
Fumbles 0-0 3-1
Penalties 1-5 5-50
Rushing: Selinsgrove — Dean Hollenbach 8-37; Joseph Kahn 11-25; Coy Bastian 4-21; Isaiah Showers 3-7; Daniel Schoch 8-(-38). Southern — Gaige Garcia 7-122, TD; Gavin Garcia 2-96, 2 TDs; Braden Heim 5-63; Ty Roadarmel 5-32, TD; Jayden McCormick 3-22; Brandon Gedman 5-19.
Passing: Selinsgrove — Schoch 6-16-1, 57 yds; Bastian 2-7-0 20 yds. Southern — Hollnebach 4-6-0 91 yds., 2 TDs.
Receiving: Selinsgrove — Benhamin Swinford 3-29; Brett Foor 2-27; Josh Nylund 1-9; Scott Kissinger 1-6; Christian Lantz 1-6. Southern — Fleming 3-65, TD; Gav. Garcia 1-26, TD.
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