Southern Columbia - Old Forge Preview 2013

During Southern Columbia's five consecutive PIAA championships from 2002-06, District 2 did not present much of a challenge to the Tigers playing in the last 11 out 12 finals.  The only exception was the 1997 loss to Riverside. Since the parade of championships ended in 2006 and Southern's district streak snapped in 2007, the Tigers were eliminated in 2008, 2010, 2012 by a District 2 team.

Good news for the Tigers that we are in a "odd numbered" year. However, District 2 sends a strong representative in Old Forge who avenged an earlier season loss to Dunmore and handled the Bucks in a 27-7 win last Friday night in Dunmore.

The Tigers recently played Old Forge in 2011, beating the Blue Devils by 11 in a 45-34 win.  It wasn't easy.  The 2013 version of the Blue Devils features a strong running game led by first year senior starter Brandon Yescavage who has rushed for over 2000 yards, carries over a 9/carry average and has scored 38 touchdowns. Most people can't recall a first year senior starters who has rushed over 2000 yards in recent memory.

For the Tigers,  it was good to face a strong rushing and power game the week before with Dominick Bragalone and South Williamsport.  A key to watch on Friday will be the Blue Devils coming off a big win on the road against Dunmore and long bus ride suffering a letdown against Southern.  Many thought Old Forge would not be playing in Week 13.  On Friday, there will be a locker full of Blue Devils waiting to take the field at Kemp Memorial. They are there for a reason.

Lourdes, Southern, and Shamokin women in action today.

If you are making the trip to Marywood University today for Lourdes Regional for the games scheduled at 4:30 and 6:00 pm, here are the direcitons from I-81:

11:
Merge onto I-81 N via EXIT 260B on the LEFT toward WILKES-BARRE.
35.5 miles
Map
12:
Take EXIT 187 toward I-84 E / MT POCONO / I-380 S / MILFORD / US-6 E / CARBONDALE.
0.2 miles
Map
13:
Take the DRINKER ST exit- EXIT 186.
0.2 miles
Map
14:
Turn LEFT onto E DRINKER ST.
1.4 miles
Map
15:
E DRINKER ST becomes ELECTRIC ST.
0.2 miles
Map
16:
Turn RIGHT onto JEFFERSON AVE.

17:
Turn LEFT to stay on JEFFERSON AVE.
0.2 miles
Map
18:
Turn LEFT onto COLLEGE AVE.

19:
Turn RIGHT onto ADAMS AVE.
20:
End at 2300 Adams AveScranton, PA 18509-1514, US

Will this Southern Area fan be lurking at New Oxford today

Due to the weather last night, several area teams will be opening the state playoffs this afternoon and evening. Not much is expected out of area teams, but they play the games for a reason.

Southern Area have their hands full this afternoon down at New Oxford High School against Delone Catholic. Here is a PIAA rule I don't like. Unless your a number 1 seed coming out of the district, you shouldn't have a game in your back yard. More often than not this game is slanted toward the Hersheypark Arena or Giant Center.

Lourdes Regional boys and girls go up against Old Forge boys and girls. For years Old Forge and the former Bishop O'Reilly dueled for supremacy in District 2 A along with Bishop Hannan. Both Bishops are gone and have passed the torch to Old Forge. Out of District's 2, 4 and 11 in men, I give the Blue Devil boys the best chance of going deep in the state playoffs. Lourdes girls traditionally handled themselves against the District 2 champs (namely Forest City and the former Seton Catholic in recent years. They probably have the best chance of advancing.

Shamokin Area girls gave Selinsgrove Area all they could handle last week. A win by the Lady Indians would be their first state playoff win. They are going up against a new Catholic merger which the former was a regional power. With two freshman starters and plenty of talent coming back, Shamokin's better days are ahead. Good luck to the Lady Indians this afternoon.