Southern Lehigh 49, Bethlehem Catholic 28 – Rapid Recap

It was Sean Steckert at the start and Sean Steckert at the finish for the Southern Lehigh High School football team.

The Spartans tailback carried the ball 46 times and scored five touchdowns, leading his squad to a 49-28 victory over Bethlehem Catholic in the District 11 Class 4A final at Catasauqua’s Alumni Field.

Turning point: Bethlehem Catholic quarterback Axel Burkart tossed a 17-yard touchdown to Cayden Vassa with 4 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Aaron Geiger’s extra point trimmed Southern Lehigh’s lead to 28-21 at the break.

The Spartans weren’t fazed and marched 63 yards on 10 plays during the first series of the second half. Steckert’s 1-yard score capped the drive with 7:24 left in the third quarter.

The Golden Hawks’ next two drives were derailed by personal fouls, the second of which nullified a 48-yard completion and, ultimately, led to Becahi punting from its own 4-yard line.

A short kick and 10-yard return gave Southern Lehigh possession in the red zone. Four plays later, Steckert powered across the goal line for a 3-yard TD on the first snap of the fourth quarter, and the Spartans stretched their lead to 42-21.

Top performers: Steckert finished with 277 yards to go with his five scores. Defensively, Steckert forced a safety in the first half.

Solehi QB Colton Sams completed 9 of 14 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

Jack Pavis, Jacoby Jacobs and Dariuz Lightner each had six tackles for the Spartans defense. Pavis added an interception, and Lightner had a sack.

Cayden Vassa was 4 of 6 through the air for 54 yards and a score. He switched to tailback and finished with 11 carries for 31 yards and a TD.

Burkart was 9-for-17 passing with 168 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Rodney Brodie led the Becahi receivers with four catches for 66 yards and a score.

What it means: Southern Lehigh improved to 12-1 overall and captured its second straight District 11 title (third overall).

The Spartans advance to the PIAA quarterfinals, where they’ll meet the winner of District 4 champion Shamokin (12-0) and District 6 winner Bellefonte (6-6).

Becahi finished 8-5 during coach Joe Bernard’s first season in charge. The Golden Hawks remain in a tie with Allentown Central Catholic for the most District 11 football titles (14).

Becahi (8-5) 7 14 0 7 — 28

S. Lehigh (11-2) 14 14 7 14 — 49

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

BC: Rodney Brodie 32 pass from Cayden Vassa (Aaron Geiger kick), 8:16.

SL: Sean Steckert 4 run (kick blocked), 5:13.

SL: Tanner Traub 16 pass from Colton Sams (kick blocked), 1:11.

Second quarter

SL: Steckert 1 run (kick failed), 7:24.

BC: Vassa 7 run (Geiger kick), 1:51.

SL: Otto Young 40 pass from Sams (Steckert run), 0:38.

BC: Vassa 17 pass from Axel Burkart (Geiger kick), 0:04.

Third quarter

SL: Steckert 1 run (Declan Walsh kick), 7:24.

Fourth quarter

SL: Steckert 3 run (Walsh kick), 11:54.

SL: Steckert 10 run (Walsh kick), 1:43.

BC: Mason Thomas 38 pass from Burkart (Geiger kick), 1:11.

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