Tigers Back on the Big Stage: Southern Columbia Powers Past Lansdale Catholic, Returns to the State Final
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | November 28, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
When the lights shine brightest, Southern Columbia has a way of reminding the state why the program sits at the pinnacle of Pennsylvania high school football.
Friday night in Lehighton was no different. With a dominant second half and a defense that erased one of the state’s most dangerous dual-threats, the Tigers surged past Lansdale Catholic, 24–7, in the PIAA 2A semifinals.
Tied 7–7 at the break, Southern quickly seized control when a well-placed kickoff pinned Lansdale Catholic deep and a high shotgun snap sailed into the end zone area for a safety. The Tigers led 9–7, and within moments, another miscue turned costly for the Crusaders. A hard free kick bounced off a Southern player and was recovered by LC, but an immediate second bad snap put the ball on the Crusaders’ 2. Grady Garcia punched it in on the next play, stretching the lead to 16–7 and flipping the semifinal on its head.
From there, Southern’s defense locked in. The Tigers held Akron-bound QB Yeboa “Boa” Cobbold Jr. to 12 yards on 12 carries, eliminating the Crusaders’ most dangerous weapon. Although LC moved the ball through the air at times, turnovers, penalties, and stalled drives kept the scoreboard still.
Southern’s offense closed the door late in the third. Garcia broke a 38-yard run to jump-start an 85-yard march, and Ayden Hockenbroch capped it with a 31-yard sprint, his second long touchdown of the night. With contributions from Garcia (77 yards), Joey Williams (67), and Hockenbroch (61), the Tigers’ depth in the backfield proved too much.
Lansdale Catholic’s lone score came early on a 43-yard run from Nick O’Brien, but the Crusaders never found rhythm again against a defense that’s heating up at the perfect time.
Southern Columbia advances to face the Farrell–Seton LaSalle winner next Friday, chasing a record-extending 15th state championship.
