Behind Lukas Croizier’s four touchdowns, Lehighton advances to District XI 4A Semifinals

POTTSVILLE- Lehighton running back Lukas Croizier rushed for 286 yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns leading the Indians to a 28-14 come-from-behind win over te Pottsville Saturday afternoon before a modest crowd at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium and a spot in the District XI 4A Semifinals next week against Blue Mountain. Blue Mountain is currently 10-1 on the season

After a sloppy opening minutes of the game were both teams were called for some early penalties. Lehighton drove 70 yards on 7 plays that was capped off by a Croizier 4 yard touchdown run with 2:29 left in the opening period, Sawyer Hoffman connected on the point-after making the score 7-0. Croizier had a 22 yard run on the drive and teammate Jose Rodriguez had a 34 yard run in same drive

7 play 70yd drive for Lehighton with 4yd touchdown run Lukas Crozier with 2;29 left 1st quarter Lehighton 7 Pottsville 0 @LASDAthletics @PAHSathletics @PaFootballNews https://t.co/58n8vcUZNt

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) November 7, 2026

Pottsville answered back with an eight play 80 yard drive,quarterback Tommy Welsh hit wide receiver Shay Strencosky with a pass over the middle,Strencosky, survived a big hit by an Indian defensive back a scored from 54 yards tying the score at 7 after Andrew Allen booted the point-after through the uprights with 11:45 left in the second quarter.

Pottsville Crimson Tide answers with 8 play 80yd touchdown drive 54yd pass Tommy Welsh to Shay Strencosky to tie game at 7 11:45 left till intermission @PaFootballNews @LASDAthletics @PAHSathletics https://t.co/trpEeWcaQ9

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) November 7, 2026

After a Crimson Tide punt was muffed by Lehighton and recovered at the Indian 26 by Pottsville. Two plays later again Welsh hooked up with a wide open Strencosky for a 22 yard touchdown pass and a 14-7 lead with 2:34 in the half.

“I have confidence in my offensive line , they opened up the holes and it was up to me to hit those holes,and stay balance during those run.” Croizier stated.

Welsh finished the game completing 12 of 27 passes for 176 yards and the two scores. Running back Donovann Durham picked 62 yards on 17 touches in the loss.

Jose Rodriguez gained 48 yards on six carries and Jack Lucykanish also had six carries for 16 yards for Lehighton.

22yd touchdown pass Tommy Welch to Shay Strencosky 2 play 27yd drive 2:34 left 2nd quarter Pottsville 14 Lehighton 7 @PaFootballNews @PAHSathletics @LASDAthletics https://t.co/bctng4i4Hm

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) November 7, 2026

At the start of the second half, Pottsville was stopped on 4th down attempt at Indian 32, it took Croizier one play to cover the distance to tie the score at 14 with 8:33 left in the third quarter. He dashed up the middle and the broke it back right and outraced the defense en route to the end zone

On the first play from scrimmage at the beginning of the 4th quarter again Croizier dashed in from 33 yards out making a the score 21-14 after Hoffman made his third point-after. The drive covered 53 yards.

Croizier finished his afternoon off with a explosive run for a 66 yard run to the end zone with 8:22 left making the score 28-14. Lehighton (8-3) will face Blue Mountain next week. The Eagles dropped Bangor 51-5 in the other quarterfinal game.

My post-game interview with RB Lukas Crozier after scoring 4 touchdowns in a 28-14 win over Pottsville PIAA District XI 4A quarterfinal playoff @PaFootballNews @LASDAthletics https://t.co/G7EZefM5W9

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) November 7, 2026