PIAA football: York Catholic to take on legendary Southern Columbia program

The York Catholic football team has handled every challenge thrown its way this season. 

But now it faces its toughest challenge yet. Perhaps the toughest the program has ever faced. 

The undefeated Irish (12-0) will open the PIAA Class 2A playoffs against powerhouse Southern Columbia at 1 p.m. Saturday at Shamokin High School. It's a much easier trip for Southern Columbia, which has a 15-minute drive compared to two hours for York Catholic. 

It's York Catholic's second appearance in the state playoffs, the first coming two years ago. 

Southern Columbia has a bit more experience at this level. 

The Tigers have won eight PIAA championships since the state tournament was created in 1988, including two in the past three years. Southern Columbia cruised to the Class 2A title last season, averaging 49.5 points in the state playoffs and beating Wilmington 48-0 in the championship game. Head coach Jim Roth has led the program since 1984 and has 26 District 4 titles. 

This year's Southern Columbia team seems to be in line with the program's tradition. 

The top-ranked team in Class 2A according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Tigers (13-0) enter the state playoffs coming off a 39-14 win over fellow state powerhouse Mount Carmel in the District 4 Class 2A title game last week. The Tigers are averaging 57 points per game and have topped 60 four times, scoring more than any team in the state. Defensively, they've given up just 9.1 points per game. 

Those numbers might sound made up, but they make plenty of sense once you look at the Tigers' roster. 

Senior quarterback Stone Hollenbach has accepted a preferred walk-on spot with Nick Saban and Alabama, choosing to pay his way with the Crimson Tide over taking a scholarship from smaller programs including Bucknell, Duquesne, New Hampshire and Robert Morris. The 6-foot-3 senior has completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,253 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. 

His top receiver is someone Penn State fans will want to look into if they haven't already. Junior wideout Julian Fleming is a five-star recruit considered to be the No. 1 receiver in the country and a huge target of James Franklin and the Nittany Lions. He's received scholarship offers from more than 20 major programs — including Penn State, Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound dynamo has 63 catches for 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. 

Those two are joined by all-state junior running back Gaige Garcia, who has rushed for 1,552 yards on 157 carries (9.9 yards per attempt) and scored 38 touchdowns this season. His younger brother, freshman Gavin, has rushed for 970 yards and 19 touchdowns on 88 carries. 

Oh, and junior linebacker Cal Haladay (102 tackles) has already picked up an offer from Michigan. 

York Catholic is currently ranked third in the state in Class 2A, but it has not faced an opponent like this during its own sterling season. The Irish's toughest opponents have been YAIAA Division III rivals Delone Catholic (10-2), Bermudian Springs (9-4) and Littlestown (7-4) along with Steel-High (4-7), a District 3 powerhouse going through a down season. The Irish beat Delone Catholic, 28-21, in overtime in the District 3 Class 2A title game two weeks ago. 

More:District 3 championship: York Catholic tops Delone in overtime thriller

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York Catholic will have to slow down the game Saturday and hope its defense can bend but not completely break against the Tigers. The Irish have been tremendous on that side of the ball this season, giving up an average of 9.4 points per game. 

Offensively, the Irish have relied on senior running back Cole Witman (710 yards, 15 total touchdowns) during the second half of the season. Witman missed four games due to a team decision in the middle of the year. Senior quarterback Wes Burns (more than 1,100 yards, 14 touchdowns, two picks) has been steady throughout the fall. 

Only 16 football teams from York and Adams counties have qualified for the state tournament. The only team to win a state playoff game was Littlestown in 2004. If York Catholic can pull off an upset, it will be the first York County team to win a PIAA contest.