NTL FOOTBALL: TROY READY FOR REMATCH WITH SOUTHERN COLUMBIA IN D4 SEMIFINALS (2024-11-07)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
The biggest game in the state will be at Mansfield University Friday, as the top ranked team in the state, Troy, will face the Class AA defending state champions in Southern Columbia with a 7 p.m. kick-off.

“This is an exciting game for us,” said quarterback Evan Woodward. “We’ve been taking it one game at a time this season, and this one is the big one we’ve been looking forward to.”

Troy comes in 11-0, their last loss to Southern Columbia in the District IV, Class AA title game a year ago, while the Tigers went an uncharacteristic 6-4 during the regular season but appeared to get all the bugs out with a 39-0 win over Hughesville in the opening round of the playoffs last week.

“It’s definitely something that’s never like any other game I’ve ever gotten prepared for,” lineman Avery Sens said. 

Many across the district have been waiting for this rematch.

“This has been bullet point since the day we left last year,” Troy coach Jim Smith said. “We felt like we left some points off the board, we felt like we lost a great opportunity. Some of it feels like it was weather related, but we both had to play in it. We’re really excited about this opportunity for a chance again.”

Sophomore Ayden Hockenbroch leads the Tigers in passing with 1,302 yards on a 54-percent passing completion. He had 16 touchdowns against seven interceptions.

The Tigers have four backs with 300 yards or more rushing, led by Brayden Andrews’ 950 on 120 carries with 13 touchdowns. Blaise Kissinger leads the team in receiving with 452 yards on 26 catches. Jace Malaloski leads them in receiving touchdowns, with four, behind 22 receptions and 352 yards.

Southern was able to pound the ball last year against Troy, especially in the second half.

“We’ve been working on staying low off the ball, firing off the ball, being fast and physical up front,” said Sens.

The Trojans have one goal coming into the game this time around.

“We’re not going to let them run the ball,” Smith said. “That’s the plan. They’re a team that loves to be physical, and, although they’ve shown some success throwing the ball, it’s not something that they like to do. We’d like to put them in position to do things that they’re not as comfortable doing.”

Offensively, Troy believes the turf at Mansfield gives their athletes the edge.

“A lot of teams take it for granted because they play on turf a lot,” said Smith. “We don’t. I think we’re one of the fastest teams in District IV, and to have that kind of footing and ability to change your angle of pursuit, and different things like start and stop, I think that gives us a huge advantage.”

As a whole, though, Smith believes they’ve done about as good a job preparing for this game as they have any other game in his 14 years of coaching.

“I feel like the kids know everything they need to know,” he said. “We just have to play fast, and have a little luck here and there, and make some plays.”

The players know the stakes, too, as they take the field against a Southern team that hasn’t lost a playoff game since the 2016 PIAA, Class AA title game against Steel Valley.

“This will be one of the biggest games I play in,” Woodward said. “If we win I’m still playing, if we lose, I’m done.”

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