CATAWISSA RR — More than any other position on the field there are names, last names to be more precise, which define the linebacker position.

And some names were just seemingly made to play the position.

Southern Columbia’s Tony Drain plays like he was made for the position, and has the name, to boot.

Can’t you just imagine the creative students at Southern whipping up signs informing opposing teams that their playoff chances are about to be flushed down the ‘Drain’?

Banners aside, Drain is most assuredly a big part of the reason Southern is back in the PIAA Class A state playoffs.

He shares the team lead in tackles with 54, has 2� sacks and is third on the team with five pass breakups.

The series Drain had last week against Line Mountain on the Eagles’ first possession of the second half rivals any series turned in by any defensive player all year.

With Southern having grabbed a 10-point lead, Drain made four tackles to stop Chris Moore, who had been gouging the Tigers’ defense in the first half, and sacked Ryan Klinger to end the drive. Southern then added to its lead and never looked back en route to reclaiming the District 4 crown.

For their trouble, Drain and the Tigers will play undefeated District 2 champion Riverside at 7 p.m. Friday night at Valley View High School.

It’s a steep task for the Southern defense to go up against a team averaging 45.8 points per game, but the Tigers are only giving up an average of 14.5 points per game, and that would be considerably less if not for the 47 points Selinsgrove hung on them.