Southern Lehigh Advances to State Semis

Tagged under: District 11, District 4, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

John Kotsko | November 22, 2025

After Shamokin returned an interception for a touchdown to trail by 12 in the third quarter, Southern Lehigh didn’t need any speech, they just knew to lock in. Sean Steckert scored the game-winning touchdown with a minute and got the game-ending interception as Southern Lehigh advances to the PIAA 4A State Semifinals for the second straight season with a 30-27 victory over Shamokin. “There was no panic, no blame game. These kids have been in this situation before the last couple years. To be down two scores to a great team like that is a phenomenal win.” Said Spartans head coach Phil Sams.

Southern Lehigh started with the ball. They got a first down but ending up punting. The defense forced a three and out. After converting a fourth and 2, Colton Sams found Luke Kawczenski for a 56 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 with 5:01 to go in the first quarter. The Indians got a big play as Logan Steele found Ryan Bickert for a 70 yard complete to the eight yard line then Zakeem Clinton scored from eight yards out to tie the game at seven with 4:07 remaining in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Southern Lehigh took back the lead as Sean Steckert scored from 38 yards out to take a 15-7 lead with 8:25 remaining before halftime. Shamokin scored on the next drive as Clinton scored from 23 yards out to cut the lead down to one at 15-14 with 5:26 to go in the second quarter and that was the score at halftime.

The Indians got the ball to start the second half. On the first play, Noah Ringes ran down the sidelines for a 43 yard gain into Spartans territory at the 27 yard line. On third and 8, Steele found Colin Steinhart for a 17 yard gain for a first and goal at the eight yard line. Steele then scored from eight yards out to give Shamokin their first lead of the game at 20-15 with 9:35 remaining in the third quarter. On the first play of the Southern Lehigh drive, Sams pass ended up being intercepted by Steele who returned it 46 yards for the touchdown to make it 27-15 Indians with 9:15 left in the third quarter.

The Spartans looked like they got a 99 yard kick return for a touchdown but a holding penalty negated the touchdown. However, Southern Lehigh got the ball into Indians territory as Sams found Darius Roman for a 35 yard gain. The Spartans faced a fourth and 15. Sams found Roman for a 16 yard gain to the eight yard line. On second and goal, Steckert scored from four yards out to cut the Shamokin lead to 27-22 with 3:35 remaining in the third quarter.

After some great defensive plays on both sides, Southern Lehigh looked to score with 4:01 left. On a third and 11, Sams rolled out and completed a pass to Roman for 16. A facemask penalty moved the ball up to the Shamokin 18 yard line. They faced a fourth and 2 with 1:24 to go, Steckert gained 2 yards for a first and goal. Steckert then gained eight yards with a great push from his offensive line into the end zone to make it 30-27 with one minute to go in the fourth. With 55.5 seconds to go, Shamokin looked to tie or take the lead. First play of the drive, Steele’s ended up being intercepted by Steckert and the Spartans took a knee and they advanced to the State Semifinals with a 30-27 victory over Shamokin. Southern Lehigh goes to 13-1 on the season. Shamokin ends their end at 13-1.

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