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by Merrill Shaffer (Author)
High school football has been played in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s. The rich tradition of Pennsylvania scholastic football has produced legendary players, coaches, and teams. However, situated between the cornfields in the vast farmlands of central Pennsylvania is a small high school with a story that needs to be told. Surprisingly few have heard of or recognize this incredible team. From their humble beginnings in 1962, the Southern Columbia Tigers have become the most successful high school football program that Pennsylvania has ever seen. But success on the gridiron has not always been easy for the Tigers and their devoted fans. They experienced their share of growing pains and endured a multi-season losing streak that saw the program nearly dropped by the school's administration. However, Southern played with grit and determination that would lay the foundation for the dynasty to come. The winners of a record fourteen Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association football championships, the Tigers were named the small-school national football champions three consecutive years. Southern's head coach has the most career victories in Pennsylvania's high school football history, and he is only the fifth coach in the country to reach 500 victories. The program has produced numerous college players and a Super Bowl champion. The team has experienced the pinnacle of success, endured and overcome unthinkable tragedies, and has never compromised ethics and academics for the sake of victory. This is the story of the Southern Columbia Tigers.
