2026 Season starts August 28th!

Southern Columbia Football

The Tigers – Fifteen-Time Pennsylvania State Champions

"The Program"

The Southern Columbia Tigers are one of the most successful football programs in Pennsylvania and one of the best small-school programs in the country. Since the advent of the PIAA playoff system in 1988, the Tigers have competed in 23 of the 38 state finals, winning fifteen, including a state record seven in a row from 2017 through 2023 and five in a row from 2002 through 2006. From 1998 though 2006, the Tigers appeared in every Class A State Championship game. The Tigers won their first State Championship in Class AA in 2015 and appeared in every Class AA State Championship game through the 2023 season.

Completing his 42nd season as Head Coach of the Tigers in 2025, Jim Roth and his staff have amassed an amazing 87% winning percentage. Their teams have appeared in the playoffs every year, have won 10 or more games in 38 of 42 seasons and have never had a losing season. In 2020, Coach Roth became the winningest head coach in Pennsylvania at any level. His record as a Head Coach following the 2025 season is 521-74-2.

2026 SCHEDULE:

8/22- Mifflinburg (3A) Scrimmage - A

8/28- Wyomissing (3A) - H

9/5- Williams Valley (1A) - A

9/12- Montoursvile* (3A) - H

9/19- Lewisburg (3A) - A at Milton HS

9/25- Central Columbia* (3A) - H

10/2- Mount Carmel Area* (3A) - A

10/9- Danville* (3A) - H

10/16- Milton Area* (4A) - H

10/23- Jersey Shore (4A) - A

10/30- Selinsgrove (4A) - A

*League Division Game

2026 Season Preview

PA Heartland Conference Division 2

2025 RECORD: 15-1, PIAA (AA) Champions

STAFF:

Head Coach – Jim Roth (42 Yrs. 46 Total)

Varsity Assistants: Andy Mills (47 Yrs), Mike Johnston (31 Yrs), Brandon Traugh (17 Yrs), Wesley Tillett (7 Yrs), Alex Carawan (14 Yrs),

Ardie Kissinger (4 Yrs), Ken Ruckle (3 Yr), Sean Smith (7 Yrs), Josh Tripp (1 Yr)

OFFENSE: Wing-T DEFENSE: 4-4

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense – 9, Defense – 5

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS – 14

SEASON OUTLOOK - Experience

OFFENSE –

Offensively we need to replace one lineman (G) and one running back. The likely candidates are Reggie Moody or Cayden Noblit at guard and Gavin Brown or Kane Cecco at running back. Our backfield returns quarterback Ayden Hockenbroch and running backs- Brayden Joey Williams and Grady Garcia. Our two top receivers also return- Blaise Kissinger (WR) and Jace Malakoski (TE).

DEFENSE –

Our biggest concern is the defensive front where we lost 5 of 8 starters. Returning are Chase Williams (DE), Jaden Carter (DT) and Nolan Wittig (LB). Potential linebackers are Gavin Trometter, Kane Cecco and Jon Davis. Up front we are looking at Ty Ruckle, Bobby Nenstiel, Jace Malakoski, Braylin Smith and Reggie Moody. Both inside linebackers, a defensive tackle and one corner. Keagan Diehl will fill a void in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS – We need to replace our kicker and punter. Joey Williams and Grady Garcia will return kicks/punts.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - Chase Williams-(Sr) DE, Jaden Carter-(Sr) O/DT, Jace Malakoski-(Sr) TE, Ayden Hockenbroch-(Sr) QB, Blaise Kissinger-(Sr) WR/DB, Joey Williams-(Jr) RB, Braylin Smith-(Jr) OT/DT, Grady Garcia-(Jr) RB

RETURNING STARTERS

Chase Williams – (Sr) DE, 6’4”-210 – 86 Tackles, 6 QB Sacks

Jaden Carter – (Sr) DT, 6’4”-325 – 49 Tackles

Nolan Wittig – (Sr) LB, 5’11”-185 – 84 Tackles

Kaden Zachman – (Sr) DB, 6’-155 – 48 Tackles, 5 Int

Joey Williams – (Sr) RB, 5’7-185 – 4957 Rushing Yds, 11 Tds

Jace Malakoski – (Sr) TE, 6’3”-215 – 18 Receptions, 302 Yds, 2 Tds

Ayden Hockenbroch – (Sr) QB, 6’-200 – 77 Comp, 1290 Yds, 17 Tds, 375 Rush Yds

Grady Garcia – (Jr) RB, 5’9”-155 – 1,137 Rushing Yds, 20 Tds

Blaise Kissinger – (Sr) WR/DB, 6’1”-190 – 20 Pass Rec, 393 Yds, 7 Tds, 41 Tackles

Braylin Smith – (Jr) OG/DT, 6’2”-290

Aidyn McHale – (Sr) OC, 5’10”-260