Phil Sams was surprised in a good way how well his Southern Lehigh football team handled Blue Mountain in last week’s District 11 Class 4A semifinal.
The Spartans won the first meeting earlier this season 28-0 thanks to three turnovers that led to short-field scores. The Eagles got better since that Week 2 matchup, which made last Thursday’s outcome (55-14) that much more shocking to many.
“This was a good test for us,” Sams said. “Blue Mountain is similar to Northwestern (Lehigh) regarding the physicality part of it. They always bring it. Their kids don’t quit. It was good to come out here and face that type of team and not only match that intensity, but surpass them.
“We want to be playing our best football at the end of the year. It is what you preach as a coach. This game kind of proved that we’re getting better.”
Southern Lehigh’s Colton Sams is the leader of the Spartans offense as the team’s quarterback. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Southern Lehigh will need to continue that growth in Thursday’s District 11 4A final against Bethlehem Catholic, which has a returning cast of talented, versatile skill players and a mountain of revenge on its mind after the Spartans won last year’s meeting for district gold.
Sams also has many of his weapons back from a year ago, including son/quarterback Colton Sams, running back Sean Steckert, receivers Luke Kawczenski and Darius Roman plus standout lineman Carter Giberson among others up front on both sides of the ball.
“After the Northwestern loss [in the regular-season finale],” he said, “when we didn’t play how we’re capable of, the kids have responded. This is a different football team. The focus has been phenomenal. We talked all week last week about physicality, intensity and focus. They’ve shown all three.”
District 11 Class 4A championship game
Southern Lehigh (11-1) vs. Bethlehem Catholic (8-4)
When/where: 6:35 p.m. Thursday at Catasauqua’s Alumni Field
At stake: A berth in the PIAA quarterfinals against the winner of the game between District 4 champion Shamokin (12-0) and District 6 champion Bellefonte (6-6) at a District 11 site, date and time to be determined. Shamokin and host Bellefonte play at 7 Friday.
About the Spartans: Have won two district titles (2019, 2024). … Have outscored foes this season 307-94 in the first half. … Have a plus-14 turnover ratio with only three turnovers in 12 games. … Are 83 yards shy of 5,000 offensively for the season. … Sr. Sean Steckert has 2,184 of the team’s 2,760 rushing yards on 224 of the 322 carries with 30 of the 40 touchdowns. He has 4,195 yards and 71 TDs in his career. … Jr. Colton Sams has completed 73.2% of his passes this season for 2,117 yards and 30 TDs. He has 5,729 career passing yards and 73 TDs. … Sr. Luke Kawczenski and Sr. Darius Roman each have 35 receptions for a combined 1,057 yards and 14 TDs. … Sr. LB Jacoby Jacobs leads with 81 tackles. He missed most of last season with an injury. Sr. LB Dariuz Lightner has 71 tackles, including a team-high 10.5 for loss. Jr. DL Dylan Gretz has a team-best six sacks. Lightner and So. Jack Pavis each have three interceptions.
How they got here: Steckert ran for 262 yards on only 13 carries, Sams completed five passes, three for touchdowns, and coach Phil Sams’ club built a 28-point lead in the first minute of the second quarter before pulling away for a 55-14 win over Blue Mountain the semifinals.
About the Golden Hawks: Have won 14 district titles, the last in 2023. That is tied for most with rival Central Catholic. The Golden Hawks have won championships in 2A, 3A and 4A. … Have won three games in a row after a three-game losing streak. … Carter Vassa has the school records for career catches (132) and receiving yardage (2,194) plus is tied for the program mark with 24 TD catches. … Cayden Vassa and Axel Burkart give first-year head coach Joe Bernard flexibility at the offensive skill positions. Both take snaps at multiple positions, including quarterback. Burkart has completed 87 of 153 passes this year for 1,306 yards and 10 TDs. Cayden Vassa has run for 1,021 yards and 14 TDs and thrown for 864 yards and six scores. He has 3,803 passing yards in his career, 2,114 rushing yards. Catasauqua transfer Rodney Brodie has 63 career catches for 1,287 yards and 14 TDs. … Mason Thomas and Jon Jon Ayache are the team’s leading tacklers. Emile Ayache is tops in tackles for loss and sacks. Carter Vassa has two interceptions.
How they got here: Twice rallied from deficits to beat Holy War rival Central Catholic 34-31 in the semis despite four turnovers. The defense produced five second-half sacks to help turn the game around. Cayden Vassa and Burkart each ran for a touchdown and threw for a score. Caiden Charmant and Burkart had sacks in the game’s final minute. Emery Oberholzer had a key fumble recovery and Jon Jon Ayache added a sack that led to the Golden Hawks taking the lead for good in the second half.
Previous meetings: Southern Lehigh won last year’s District 11 4A final 28-7. Bethlehem Catholic won the 2013 district final 27-24 in overtime.
Prediction: Southern Lehigh 28-20
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com