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Northwestern Lehigh Completes Perfect Season with OT Victory over Avonworth

Tagged under: District 11, District 7, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| December 8, 2024

Tucker Wessner was surely smiling down on his teammates and Northwestern Lehigh fans, as the Tigers overcame a late surge by Avonworth, winning an overtime thriller 36-33.

“We know he’s been with us this whole season, keeping us injury-free, helping us in some games like this. Especially in that overtime period, he was with us,” Eli Zimmerman reflected on his teammate.

“We did it for Tucker,” Brady Zimmerman added.

Avonworth provided a stiff challenge from the beginning. Luca Neal was the featured runner for Avonworth, starting with his 14 yard blast through the middle. He capped the opening drive with a 15-yard touchdown run, breaking to his left down the far sideline. Just over three minutes into the game, the Antelopes took a 6-0 lead.

An early track meet opened up when Shane Leh took it for ten yards up the gut on the Tigers; second play. The Tigers worked in far more pass game than any other point this season. Shane Leh completed his first throw to Michael Lagowy for 11 yards and first down in Antelope territory at the 44. Later in the drive, Leh tossed a 24-yard completion to Matson. He was down at the 1 and Eli Zimmerman finished it off with the score.

Avonworth responded just six plays later. Luca Neal broke three tackles, steadying himself with his hand, and went 31 yards to the house, putting his team ahead 13-6 with 2:26 left in the first quarter.

The Tigers then played ball control offense, pulling over five minutes off the clock over the next 12 plays. Along the way, Matson made an incredible leaping catch under tight single coverage by Achillies Heinold. Shane Hulmes caught an 8-yard touchdown on a run fake with Leh rolling out to his left. With 9:13 to play in the half, Northwestern Lehigh was back on top 14-13.

The Lopes tore down the field one more time behind Luca Neal. On the first play of the drive, he cruised down the sideline into Tiger territory at the 45. Two plays later, he was racing down the middle of the field for 16 more, nearing the red zone. The drive did stall, due in part to Shane Hulmes catching Neal in the backfield for a short loss. Calder Mahan’s 28-yard field goal went through, putting Avonworth back up 16-14 with 2:44 left in the half.

Northwestern Lehigh didn’t need much time to take the lead back. Seth Kern provided a long kickoff return into Antelope territory. As the Tigers drove deep in the red zone, a high snap got away from Leh, forcing Zimmerman to fall on it in the backfield for a nine yard loss. However, Kern was able to tack on a kick from 30 yards out to end the half with Northwestern on top 17-16.

The third quarter saw Northwestern Lehigh nearly pull away. Zimmerman picked up where he left off, gashing the Antelopes for gains of 10 and 20 up the middle. After those two plays, it would take nine more to go from the Avonworth 29 to the end zone, but Zimmerman got it done. On 4th & Goal from the 1, he went airborne, leaping in for the score and the 23-16 lead. On the next offensive play for the Lopes, Luca Neal lost the ball and it was picked up by Eli Zimmerman. Setting up shop on the Avonworth 37, the Tigers took advantage. Shane Hulmes plunged into the end zone from a yard out, three plays after catching a 20-yard pass from Leh that moved Northwestern into the red zone. With 5:47 left in the quarter, the Tigers led 30-16.

The teams then exchanged punts before Avonworth got the momentum play they needed to climb back in the game. As fans and cheerleaders chanted, “we want a touchdown,” Luca Neal delivered again. Breaking to his left and down the sideline, Luca stumbled and regained his balance, chugging into the end zone from 54 yards out to cut the lead to 30-23.

With momentum solidly shifted in the Antelopes’ favor, the defense forced a quick punt and Avonworth embarked on a drive that chewed away 7:30 of the fourth quarter. Neal picked his way for small gains until he finally reached pay dirt on a 1-yard run. With the extra point, the game was tied at 30 with 4:32 left in regulation.

Billy Onyshko halted the ensuing Tigers drive with 1:18 to play, intercepting a Shane Leh pass over the middle. The Antelopes, though, were forced to punt and the game headed to overtime still knotted at 30.

The Tigers won the toss and elected to play defense first. Avonworth was limited to just four yards and Calder Mahan put a 23-yard field goal through the uprights. The Antelopes were a stop away from a state title and sending Northwestern Lehigh home as runners-up for the second consecutive year.

Eli Zimmerman had other ideas. On the first play of the Tigers’ possession, he bolted into the end zone, providing the seventh and final lead change of the afternoon. Northwestern Lehigh claimed its first state title and completed one of the most incredible fall sports seasons in the state. Boys soccer, girls soccer, and football combined to go 72-0, making New Tripoli Title Town in 2024.

Brady Zimmerman commented on the victories: “It’s just amazing. The community showing out, packing the stands. It’s just a great feeling when you have your community at your back.”

Eli Zimmerman finished with 123 yards and three scores on 29 carries. The Tigers racked up 208 yards on the ground and Shane Leh was 12/15 for 114 and a score through the air. In the loss, Luca Neal had a hand in nearly every single snap for the Antelopes. He carried 36 times for 252 yards and found the end zone four times.

“it feels great. This team just won a state medal. State gold to be exact,” Brady Zimmerman added.

Shane Leh added, “We stepped up and Eli just did his thing in overtime. Our defense stepped up and Eli stepped up.”

“We just came out the second half firing. Eli’s just a straight dog. When he puts the ball in the end zone, you know it’s going your way,” Brady commented.

“I think he’s loving it. I can just picture that smile on his face and he’s watching us from up there. I’m glad we did this for Tucker and glad Tucker was a part of this,” Leh reflected.

Follow LSVSports on Twitter @LSVSports

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