Colossal critical contest to decide Colonial League-Red Championsip

Friday night at Tiger Stadium in New Tripoli may hold what could be the game of the year in the Colonial/Schuylkill League, if not the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as two of the top teams in the PIAA in their respective classifications.

The Southern Lehigh Spartans (9-0) and the top team in 4A by pafootballnews.com and other publications will face the (9-0) Northwestern Lehigh Tigers, the defending 3A state champions and the number 2 ranked team by the same outlets. The Tigers riding a 25 game win streak entering the contest.

Both teams come in loaded with talent all over the field and are led by two of the outstanding coaches in the state- Phil Sams at Southern Lehigh and Josh Snyder for the Tigers.

Both signal-callers are having career seasons, Shane Leh of Northwestern Lehigh has completed 82 of 118 passes for 1,459 yards on the year with 17 touchdowns and just one pick Junior Colton Sams leads the Spartans with 104 completions on 141 attempts for 1,569 yards 20 scores and two interceptions.

Senior running back Sean Steckert leads the Southern Lehigh ground attack with 1,705 yards on 185 carries and 24 scores. The Tigers have several weapons in the backfield, with Senior Braxton Lakatosh (896yds) 10 scores, Sophomore Chase Sukanick (652yds) and Brady Zimmerman, a Junior (169yds). Sukanick leads the team with 11 touchdowns. As a team NW Lehigh has gained 2,332 yards on 262 rushed and 39 times they found the end zone. Southern Lehigh has similar numbers with 246 rushed for 2,082 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The receiving corps are also loaded for both teams Luke Kawczenski, a Senior for the Spartans come into the showdown with 27 receptions for 429 yards and 5 touchdowns, Darius Roman has caught 24 balls for 367 yards and 5 touchdowns, Junior Otto Young has contributed 4 scores on 19 receptions and 336 yards. As a team, Southern Lehigh has 1,602 receiving on 108 receptions and 20 scores. Zimmerman is leading the Tigers in receiving with 495 yards and 6 scores while catching 19 passes. Mason Bollinger, a senior is second with 376 yards on 27 receptions and 4 touchdowns. Junior Michael Lagowy has caught 24 passes for an additional 330 yards and 3 scores. The Tigers come in the game with 1,669 yards and 18 touchdowns threw the air on 96 receptions.

On the defensive side of the ball, Shane Hulmes is the leader in tackles for the defending state champions with 89 total tackles with 45 solo’s and 12 tackles-for-losses. Lakatosh has 69 total tackles. Michael Boring, a Senior has 22 solo tackles. Jacoby Jacobs leads the Spartns defense in total tackles with 57 and 33 solo’s. Darius Lightner has 51 tackles and 9 of those for a loss.

The Tigers have won the last five meetings by a combined score of 180-91 including a 23-17 win last October. This game should be a classic and expect an overflow crowd in New Tripoli. GET THERE EARLY!

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