Northern Lehigh Erupts for 26 Second Half Points in Win Over Catasauqua

SLATINGTON- Opening night jitters is often used to describe when a football team gets off to less than desirable start to begin new season. That could have described the defending District XI 2A champion Northern Lehigh Bulldogs Friday in their contest with the Catasauqua Roughriders at Bulldog Stadium but they managed a 26 point second half for a 32-12 win to open up the 2022 Schuylkill/Colonial League season.

The game was to be played at Catasauqua, but construction at Alumni Stadium, forced the game to be moved.

The Bulldogs fumbled the ball twice to the visitors in the opening quarter, but the Roughies could not take advantage as they were forced to punt twice in a scoreless tie. In total the Bulldogs fumbled five times in the half. Ramos scored his first touchdown on a seven yard run with 5:42 left till halftime to make the score 6-0 with PAT was no good. That score stood till intermission.

Izaiah Ramos 7yd TD for @AthleticsNlsd 5:42 till half. PAT no good 6-0 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/7QBpCBfKEs

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 26, 2022

Ramos again found the end zone with a run round end for a 24 yard score and a 12-0 lead, as the Bulldogs tried for two-point conversion pass was incomplete with 1:49 left in the third quarter.

Izaiah Ramos 24yd TD for @AthleticsNlsd against @CattyFootball 12-0 lead @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/vMTHbFUayq

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 27, 2022

Northern Lehigh’s defense came up big again with another three-and-out and forced a Catasauqua punt and the offense went back to work capping off the drive with seven yard touchdown pass from Nick Frame to Ramos with 9:43 left in the game to make thae score 19-0 with the PAT.

Defensive back Ethan Karpowich then picked off a Roughrider pass and cashed it in from 24 yards to bring the lead to 25-0.

Catasauqua did manage two scores late first with a Christian Frye 4 yard run, followed by 3 yard score by Aiden Hess.

Aiden Hess 4yd TD for @CattyFootball in 32-12 loss to @AthleticsNlsd @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/Sah80cqXvN

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 27, 2022

John Abidelli closed out the scoring for the home team with a 69 yard touchdown run.

Here is what Izaiah Ramos said about his team’s performance after the game.

My post-game interview with Izaiah Ramos scoring 3 touchdowns tonight vs Catasauqua in 32-12 win. @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/1haBvaOdPa

— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 27, 2022

Northern Lehigh (1-0) will host Northwestern Lehigh on Thursday night. The Tigers defeated Tamaqua 49-22. Catasauqua (0-1) will be at Palmerton Friday, the Blue Bombers were 41-29 winners over Lehighton.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews