Cowanesque Valley entered the District IV playoffs as the eighth seed after finishing the season with a 5-5 record. As the eighth seed the Indians had the daunting task of facing the top seed, Southern Columbia. The Tigers averaged 41 points and nearly 375 total yards of offense per game this season.
The Indians would have their hands full Friday night.
The Tigers didn’t waste any time getting on the board. Brayden Andrews slipped past defenders and raced down the sideline for a 66-yard touchdown on the Tigers first play from scrimmage.
Andrews and the Tigers dominated the first half. Andrews scored two more times in the opening quarter. The Tigers second score was a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ayden Hockenbroch to Andrews with 7:46 to play.
Andrews stuck again with a 17-yard run with 3:01 left in the quarter.
The Tigers pulled ahead 41-0 before the Indians got on the board. Andrews added two second quarter touchdowns to bring his total to five on the day. Joey Williamson added a sixth score for Southern Columbia midway through the second quarter.
Dave Hess gave the Indians their first points with a four yard run just before the two-minute warning.
Hess scored two more times in the third quarter. First, on a 13-yard run with 8:27 to play in the quarter. Then, Hess struck again on a 21-yard pass from Levi Stahli with 2:15 to play.
Hess led the Indians offense with 11 carries for 51 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Hess also had two receptions and a receiving touchdown.
For the Tigers Grady Garcia had 13 carries for 114 yards. Andrews had four carries for 104 yards and four touchdowns. Joey Williamson had four carries for 53 yards and one touchdown.
“We faced off against a formidable Southern Columbia football team on Halloween night, and their coaches and players showed remarkable class and sportsmanship,” said head coach Jacob Lane. “Their program serves as a model of excellence that all coaches strive to achieve. I am impressed by the resilience and determination displayed by our young men in the second half, as they continued to execute fundamental football and made the most of their final opportunity to play together with our senior class.”
The Indians will be without seniors Luke Sottolano, Ben Freeman, Jeavon Eick and Levi Stahli next season. A strong crew of underclassmen will lead the charge as the Indians try to make the district playoffs again next year. The Indians finished this year with a 5-6 record.