And no, it isn’t simply because this is their last year in a blue and white uniform. Rather, it’s the opponent.

South Williamsport heads to Milton tonight for a District 4 Class A showdown against Southern Columbia, the top seed in Class A.

Rewind four years ago to a chilly November night at Milton nonetheless and one can realize what makes this game between the Mounties and Tigers a good rivalry game.

It was that night in 2022 when the Mounties and Tigers met up in the PIAA Class A semifinals with a trip to the state final on the line. That game went into two overtime periods in which the Tigers earned a 2-1 win.

Ayla Minier of South Williamsport celebrates a goal against Northumberland Christian at Midd-West High School in Middleburg. South won 7-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

That was the second playoff meeting between the two that season and Tuesday marks their first playoff game against one another since that date in November in 2022.

Now the seniors who remember that game in 2022 get to close out a chapter.

“We’ve been definitely preparing for that game the most because they’re our rival since us seniors were freshmen,” Moore said. “I think it’s going to be a big game and we really want it a lot. We’re really excited for that.”

And what more could you ask for than a big playoff game?

South Williamsport (12-4-3) has played tough competition this year and all that has led to a tough showdown with a very good and talented Southern Columbia squad (16-3).

Coco Kline (right) and Ana Oeler of South Williamsport celebrate a goal by Kline against Northumberland Christian at Midd-West High School in Middleburg. South won 7-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I definitely do (think a tough schedule is beneficial),” Moore said. “They played a lot of similar teams too I think watching the films against those games; we know since we played other teams, we know how they play.”

Southern Columbia has six standout players who have either double digit goals, assists or both. Kennadie Reamer, a senior, leads Southern with 17 goals and five assists while sophomore Kailee Helwig has 16 goals and 18 assists, junior Alyssa Conner has 14 goals and six assists, sophomore Olivia Jones has 12 goals and seven assists, sophomore Macie Swank has 10 goals and nine assists and freshman Isabella Snyder has 14 assists.

“Just a lot of effort from all of us and just know how we play,” South’s Coco Kline said of the expectations entering the semifinals. “We’ve been working all season, sure every team has been doing that as well, but we really try to put in a lot of work and hopefully we can make it to the next round.”

South Williamsport may not be the top seed in this year’s tournament, but the Mounties do have a target on their back. South Williamsport has won three consecutive District 4 championships and is hoping this season caps with a four-peat.

No District 4 team has ever claimed four straight Class A titles before. Only Loyalsock (2010-12) and Warrior Run (2014-16) have won three in a row in that classification, joining this current Mounties team. The only teams to win four straight District 4 championships prior to this fall are Central Columbia (2021-24) and Williamsport (District 2-4 Class AAAA, 2016-20).

For this group of underclassmen at South Williamsport, they’re excited to be competing in the district semifinals and playing for a final berth. That includes Kline, who’s a sophomore.

“It’s really exciting. We’ve been here before and for our freshman, it’s exciting because it’s their first time here,” Kline said. “But everyone’s spirits are up and high.”