NEW TRIPOLI – Entering Friday night both teams were 9-0 and both were ranked number one in their respective classes. The defending 3A state champs, Northwestern Lehigh jumped out early to a 22-0 lead and were led by two-way star Shane Hulmes who made big play after big play on both sides of the ball in a thrilling 36-28 win over Southern Lehigh Friday night at Tiger Stadium.With the win Northwestern Lehigh extends their win streak to 26 and another league title.
“It feels great to get the win tonight,” said Head Football Coach Josh Snyder. “We won our share of Colonial League championships over the years, but this one feels pretty special. We beat a really good team tonight.”
The Tigers came out swinging. Northwestern scored on three of its four possessions.
On their first possession the Tigers faced a third and 10 on their 27 when Shane Leh hit Michael Lagowy for a 13 yard gain and a first down. They converted another long third down play on that drive. Leh capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. The Tigers led 7-0 with 10:13 left in the first quarter.
The Spartans had to settle for a punt on their first possession. They got the ball back when John Pavis picked off a Leh pass. But the Tigers defense was roaring. Northwestern Lehigh came up with the fourth down stop and took over on their 28 with 4:21 to go in the quarter.
The Tigers only needed three plays to get on the scoreboard. Hulmes took the snap and went right up the middle. He needed one stiff arm and had a 64-yard touchdown run. With 3:06 left in the first quarter, it was 14-0 Tigers.
“It was a real hard fought game tonight,” said Hulmes. “Our line played out of their minds in the first half. That 64-yard run I barely got touched and that is a credit to our line.”
Again the Tigers’ defense was strong. A three-and-out by the Spartans resulted in another scoring drive by Northwestern Lehigh.
An eight play, 73-yard drive ended on a perfect 27-yard Leh pass to Lagowy. The two-point conversion was good as Mason Bollinger hit Mason Wertman. The Tigers led 22-0 with 9:51 remaining the first half.
The Spartans got a much needed touchdown before halftime. Colton Sams threw in tight coverage and Otto Young made the 26 yard touchdown catch with 2:35 left in the first half. The score at halftime was 22-7 Northwestern.
The Spartans got the ball to start the second half. But Hulmes ended Southern Lehigh’s drive. The Tigers’ Maddox Hurdle tipped a Sams’ pass and Hulmes got the interception.
The Tigers offense had to settle for a field goal attempt. But Carter Giberson blocked the field goal attempt. The Spartans took over on downs.
Northwestern’s defense would force another Spartans punt. During the drive, Leh had long throws to Hulmes and to Lagowy who made an unbelievable catch on the Spartans three-yard line.
Two plays later, Brady Zimmerman called his own play and went in from three-yards out with 4:36 left in the third quarter. The Tigers led 29-7.
The Spartans answered back. A Sams to Roman 16-yard pass with 1:39 left in the third quarter made it 29-14 Tigers.
The Tigers offense answered, taking time off the clock on a 12-play drive. A Chase Sukanick three-yard touchdown run, with 5:51 left, put the Tigers up 36-14.
But Southern Lehigh wasn’t done. Colton Sams hit Darius Roman for a six-yard touchdown pass with 3:07 left in the game. Next was an onside kick attempt. They executed it just like they drew it up. Spartans’ Jacoby Jacobs recovered the kickoff.
Sams then threw a nice pass to Jack Fistner for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 remaining. They tried an onside kick again. But, this time the onside kick was recovered by Brady Zimmerman from the Tigers. Northwestern needed a first down to run out the clock and they got that to secure the win.
“It was a great team effort and all our players made plays tonight,” said Snyder. “It’s one season over and now starts a new one. It’s higher stakes starting next weekend. It’s win or go home.”
Northwestern Lehigh 36, Southern Lehigh 28
| Teams | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Southern Lehigh (9-1) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| Northwestern Lehigh (10-0) | 14 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 36 |
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
NWL: Shane Leh 12 yard run (Chase Sukanick kick good) 10:13
NWL: Shane Hulmes 64 yard run (Chase Sukanick kick good) 3:06
2nd Quarter:
NWL: Shane Leh 27 yard pass to Michael Lagowy (2-point conversion good) 9:51
SL: Colton Sams 26 yard pass to Otto Young (Declan Walsh kick good) 2:35
3rd Quarter:
NWL: Brady Zimmerman 3 yard run (Chase Sukanick kick good) 4:36
SL: Colton Sams 16 yard pass to Darius Roman (Declan Walsh kick good) 1:39
4th Quarter:
NWL: Chase Sukanick 3 yard run (Chase Sukanick kick good) 5:51
SL: Colton Sams 6 yard pass to Darius Roman (Declan Walsh kick good) 3:07
SL: Colton Sams 22 yard pass to Jack Fistner (Declan Walsh kick good) 1:18
Leaders
Passing
NW – Shane Leh – 13-18 – 225 yards – 1 TD
SL – Colton Sams – 23-33 – 216 yards – 4 TDs
Rushing
NW – Shane Hulmes – 5-95 yards – 1 TD
SL – Sean Steckert – 20-147 yards
Receiving
NW – Michael Lagowy – 6-103 yards – 1 TD
SL – Darius Roman – 8-78 yards – 2 TDs