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Southern Lehigh is State Championship Bound, beating Cardinal O’Hara 28-21

Written by: on Saturday, November 29th, 2025. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

WHITEHALL – Southern Lehigh jumped out to a early 21-point lead in the second quarter. But, Cardinal O’Hara didn’t panic and started chipping away at the Spartan lead. The Lion’s Jalen Patterson’s fumble return put Cardinal O’Hara up for the first time all night 24-21. But like last week against Shamokin, Southern Lehigh showed they can overcome adversity.

It wasn’t easy in the second half for Southern Lehigh who is normally good a taking care of the ball. They had to overcome three fumbles that led to 14 points for the Lions. On the Spartans final drive, the offensive line paved the way for a 15-play, 84-yard touchdown drive resulting in Sean Steckert’s third touchdown run of the night. This led Southern Lehigh to a 28-24 win over Cardinal O’Hara Friday night at Zephyr Stadium.

“It feels awesome. I have never been in this spot as an athlete or coach,” said Head Football Coach Phil Sams. “These kids showed how they never give up. It’s remarkable.” With the win it’s the Spartans first trip to the state finals.

“Our line did a great job tonight and we put our heads down and made plays in the final drive,” said Sean Steckert. “It is every little kid’s dream about playing for a state title and we are the first Spartan team that will be doing that. It’s just amazing.”

Southern Lehigh came out strong right from the start. On their first possession of the game, the Spartans struck first. A wide open Darius Roman caught a perfect 57-yard pass from Colton Sams. Declan Walsh’s kick was good and it put them up 7-0 with 9:44 remaining in the first quarter.

After a stop by the Spartans defense, it was Steckert’s turn. Sean ripped off a 47-yard run avoiding Lions defenders and won the foot race to the end zone. Southern Lehigh doubled up their lead to 14-0 with 7:49 left in the first quarter.

The Lion’s best chance in the first quarter came with 4:07 left the quarter, when Gavin McLain’s 41-yard field goal attempt hit the crossbar and bounced back for the miss.

Dariuz Lightner’s interception return to the Lion’s 22 set up another Southern Lehigh score. The Spartans made it 21-0 on another Steckert run. This time it was a 15 yards with 8:22 left in the first half.

But the Lions didn’t panic and had to chip away at the Southern Lehigh’s lead. Cardinal O’Hara had a nice drive going and converted on a fourth down play that looked like a Spartan stop. That gave the Lion’s a second life and they capitalized on it. Amahj Gowans finished the drive squeezing in for a three-yard touchdown run. It was 21-7 Spartans with 4:19 remaining in the first half.

Late in the first half, the Lions drove 94 yards in just over a minute. They faced fourth down on the Spartans five yard line with one tick remaining in the first half. They elected to go for the field goal and Gavin McLain made the 21-yard field goal as time expired to cut into the Spartans lead 21-10 at halftime.

You could start to feel the momentum shifting by the Lions. After both teams traded punts to start the second half it was the big play ability of Cardinal O’Hara that was on display the second half.

Lion’s quarterback John Welde hit a wide open Simon Horta who caught the ball and went 59 yards for the score. The Spartans lead quickly shrunk to 21-17 with 5:16 left in the third quarter.

The play of the night for the Lions came when Jalen Patterson stripped the ball away from Sams and ran 78 yards for a fumble return. The result was the first lead of the night for Cardinal O’Hara, 24-21, with 11:45 remaining in the game.

On the Spartans next possession another costly turnover ended the drive. Luke Kawczenski’s turnover was recovered by Cardinal O’Hara’s Isaac Day on its own 31.

Southern Lehigh’s defense came up with the huge stop on their 16 with about seven minutes remaining.

On the final drive by the Spartans, Sams made some huge throws to Otto Young (3rd-and10) and Darius Roman (4th-and-5). But the game wasn’t without controversy. Young’s catch was ruled down by contact when it seemed to come out. That call was huge for the Spartans in their final drive.

It was the combination of Sams making plays and Steckert fighting hard on runs down inside the Lions red zone. Steckert finished the drive with 31 seconds remaining in the game to put the Spartans up for good on a three-yard touchdown run and a trip to Cumberland Valley to play for the 4A State Championship against Twin Valley who held on to beat Aliquippa 28-24.

“These kids practice different situations and to make 4th-down-5 and 3rd-down-10 was amazing,” said Sams. “My son made throws down the stretch and what can you say about Steckert. He is our workhorse on offense.”

Stars of the Game:
Southern Lehigh:
Colton Sams 14-18 (149 yards) TD
Sean Steckert 40 carries (210 yards) 3 TD’s
Darius Roman 7 catches for 112 yards (TD)

Cardinal O’Hara:
John Weide 5-20 (120 yards) TD
Amahj Gowans 17 carries (52 yards) TD
Simon Horta 3 catches for 79 yards (TD)
Jalen Patterson 78 yard fumble return

Southern Lehigh 28, Cardinal O’Hara 24

Teams 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Cardinal O’Hara (10-5) 0 10 7 7 24
Southern Lehigh (14-1) 14 7 0 7 28

Scoring summary:
1st Quarter:
SL: Darius Roman 57 yard pass from Colton Sams (Declan Walsh kick good) 9:44
SL: Sean Steckert 47 yard run (Declan Walsh kick good) 7:49

2nd Quarter:
SL: Sean Steckert 14 yard run (Declan Walsh kick good) 8:22
CO: Amahj Gowans 3 yard run (Gavin McLain kick good) 4:19
CO: Gavin McLain 21 yard field goal 0:00

3rd Quarter:
CO: Simon Horta 59 yard pass from John Welde (Declan Walsh kick good) 5:16

4th Quarter:
CO: Jalen Patterson 78 yard fumble return (Gavin McLain kick good) 11:45
SL: Sean Steckert 3 yard run (Declan Walsh kick good) 0:31

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

1st Quarter

 


2nd Quarter

 


3rd Quarter

 


4th Quarter

 


 

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One Response

  1. Terrible officiating. Fumble, fumble, fumble. How many videos are needed to show that. Nice we have neutral sites and officials in semifinals. Joke…only word to say.

    Reply