Thomas Jefferson topples champ

Brad Dawson led the Jaguars to their first state title over Manheim Central.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HERSHEY, Pa. -- Brad Dawson already was No. 1 -- it's his jersey number -- but now so are the rest of his Thomas Jefferson teammates. The Jaguars have plenty to boast about after their first trip to Hershey.
Dawson rushed for a score, threw two TD passes and returned an interception for a touchdown, and Dan Giegerich rushed for four touchdowns to lead the Jaguars to a 56-20 victory over defending champion Manheim Central for its first PIAA Class AAA title Friday night.
"This is one of the best showcases in TJ football history," Dawson said.
Was it ever.
Making its first appearance in a championship game, Jefferson (14-2) set a title game record with six interceptions, had a fumble recovery, a game-changing goal line stand and a 21-point fourth quarter to turn it into a rout.
Manheim Central (13-2) played without leading rusher and its best defender, Jeremiha Hunter (1,022 yards) after he broke his arm in the semifinal. With Hunter out, the pressure fell on quarterback Tyler Reifsnyder to make plays.
"We missed him, but make no excuses, they were the better team," said Manheim Central coach Mike Williams. "We missed him a lot on defense. You saw No. 1 [Dawson]. He was the best athlete on the field."
Southern Columbia 35, Rochester 0
HERSHEY, Pa. -- Dan Latorre ran for 150 yards and four touchdowns, and the Tigers capped a perfect season in winning the Class A championship.
Southern Columbia joined Central Bucks West (AAAA) and Berwick (AAA) as the only schools to win three consecutive PIAA titles.
"This one's 10 times better," said Latorre, a senior quarterback. "This year was my year and for all the other seniors."
Henry Hynoski rushed for 132 yards and the Tigers had 432 yards of total offense.
Southern Columbia (15-0) beat the Rams in the title game for the second time in three years. Southern played its 10th championship game in 11 years and its fifth one against Rochester. It also won the championship in 1994.
Rochester (12-4) snapped a seven-game winning streak. The Rams have won three PIAA Class A title games.
With a heavy, steady rain falling, Southern Columbia did what it does best in relying on the running game. The Tigers -- who rushed for 770 yards over Pius X in a quarterfinal game -- ran 49 times for 398 yards against Rochester.
Roth, though, was more concerned about the defense after allowing 30 and 47 points in the last two playoff wins. The Tigers held the Rams to only 81 total yards.
Matt Koziol had two interceptions and deflected two passes for Southern Columbia.
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