Tigers Top Panthers, 42-0

by Ed Weaver - November 11, 2019

The North Penn-Mansfield Panthers fell victim to the defending District IV and PIAA State champion Southern Columbia Tigers, 42-0, on Saturday, November 9 at Tiger Stadium.

Southern Columbia scored 6 times, all in the first half, 5 of which came on the offensive side of the ball.

After the Tigers won the coin toss and chose to receive, they marched down field in just over a minute to put the game’s first points on the scoreboard as Preston Zachman found Julian Fleming for a short score.

On their next drive the Tigers turned to their ground game as Gaige Garcia scored from 45 yards out to make it 14-0.

Following a North Penn turnover, Southern Columbia put up 7 more points on the scoreboard on another Zachman-to-Fleming connection, making it 21-0. With 2:41 remaining in the opening quarter the Tigers struck again, this time as Gavin Garcia took the hand off and maneuvered his way through traffic for a score.

Southern Columbia scored twice more in the 2nd quarter, both times by the Garcia brothers. First, Gaige scored from 89 yards away on a sweep hand off around the right side of the line to increase the lead to 35-0. Later, Gavin intercepted a pass and returned it for the score, putting the Tigers up 42-0.

North Penn-Mansfield had limited opportunities as Southern Columbia’s defense held the Panthers to just 4 yards rushing and 145 total. The Panthers’ best drive came late in the game. As they were pinned up against their own end zone, Colton Litzelman connected with Koleton Roupp on a screen pass, which Roupp turned into a long gain down to the Tigers’ 40. Later in the drive, on 4th down, Litzelman hit Noah Spencer in the flat and Spencer turned into a 1st down. Another Roupp run moved the Panthers down to the Tigers’ 11, but the drive ended their on a 4th down fumble.

Litzelman finished 16-for-27 for 145 yards and 2 interceptions. Spencer was the Panthers’ leading rusher with 11 yards on 6 carries. Roupp caught 5 passes for 58 yards and Kaelan Matczak chipped in with 2 catches for 42 yards. Spencer also caught 4 passes for 20 yards.

Zachman finished the night 4-for-5 for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns while Fleming caught all 4 passes for 64 yards and both scores. Gaige Garcia led the Tigers’ ground attack with 4 carries for 154 yards while brother Gavin added 91 yards on 5 carries.

The win keeps the Tigers undefeated on the season and is their 44th straight victory dating back to December 10, 2016. The loss ends the Panthers’ season at 5-7 (3-4 NTL Large School Division).