The Troy Trojans will face off against the Southern Columbia Area Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Troy knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 31 points or more in their past ten contests -- so hopefully Southern Columbia Area likes a good challenge.
Troy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They strolled past Warrior Run with points to spare, taking the game 48-34.
Mason Smith produced another solid performance rushing for 59 yards and one TD on only eight carries, while also throwing for 52 yards and one touchdown. He also deserves a shoutout for his performance on D, making six total tackles and defending one pass.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Troy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 422 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in November of 2024.
Meanwhile, Southern Columbia Area won against Cowanesque Valley two weeks ago with 41 points and they decided to stick to that point total again on Friday. The Tigers were the clear victors by a 41-21 margin over Bloomsburg. The victory continues a trend for the Tigers in their matchups with the Panthers: they've now won nine in a row.
Southern Columbia Area's win came from a few key players Troy will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Brayden Andrews, who rushed for 60 yards and one score on only seven carries, and also picked up 37 receiving yards and one TD. He also put in work on the defensive side of the ball, picking up a sack, making five total tackles (2.0 for loss), and defending one pass. Ayden Hockenbroch was another key passer, throwing for 146 yards and one touchdown on only ten passes.
Southern Columbia Area's defense made their presence known, laying out Wyatt Brosious three times. The team can thank two different players for their defensive prowess: Andrews and Ethan Makowski, who each picked up one sack apiece. Kaden Zachman got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
Troy's record is now 11-1. As for Southern Columbia Area, their record now sits at an identical 11-1.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Troy has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 315.1 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Southern Columbia Area struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 290.1 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Everything came up roses for Troy against Southern Columbia Area in their previous matchup back in November of 2024, as the team secured a 69-28 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Trojans since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
