CENTER VALLEY – When it counted the most Eli Zimmerman shines. Eli’s 71-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter put the Tigers up by two scores to seal a 23-17 win over Southern Lehigh and a Colonial-Schuylkill League A Division title.
“What a dog fight. It was back-and-forth and many penalties for both teams,” said Head Football Coach Josh Snyder. “I think our team was pretty gritty and we kept fighting, scratching, and clawing tonight.”
The game was nothing but perfect. Mistakes, penalties, and missed plays occurred throughout the night. Both teams combined for 17 penalties in the game.
“There are somethings we must clean up tonight,” said Snyder. “I told our team that we need to be 1-0 each week or we go home.”
In the second quarter, Shane Leh’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Mason Bollinger put the Tigers on the scoreboard. Josh Wambold’s kick was good and with 10:05 left in the half Northwestern Lehigh led 7-0.
Wambold added a 27-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 5:08 remaining in the half.
Southern Lehigh’s defense in the first half kept them within reach of the Tigers as they headed into halftime down 10-0.
The Spartans came out of halftime with a mission.
Sean Steckert’s 60-yard kickoff return set up his 16-yard touchdown run. That was the first touchdown the Tigers defense gave up in three games.
Noah Tapler’s kick was good and they trailed the Tigers 10-7 with 11:42 left in the third quarter.
The Spartans tied the game up at 10 on a Noah Tapler 27-yard field goal with 5:51. Earlier in the game he missed a 55-yard field goal hitting the cross bar and bouncing back.
Not many games this season have the Tigers starters seen playing time in the fourth quarter. Tonight they needed them and it was starters like Bollinger and Zimmerman that led the way.
When it counted the most the Tigers offense kicked it in another gear. The Tigers drove 76 yards on 17 plays and converted two fourth downs during the drive.
Mason Bollinger finished off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run putting Northwestern Lehigh up 16-10 with 9:42 left in the game.
Then it was Zimmerman sealing the game for the Tigers with a late 71-yard run.
“To have Eli bust that run late was big for us tonight,” said Snyder.
Southern Lehigh got the final score of the night. Colton Sams 8-yard touchdown pass to Michigan commit Andrew Olesh with 2:22 remaining cut the lead to 23-17.
Andrew finished the night with 8 catches for 86 yards.
“Olseh showed how good he is tonight,” said Snyder. “We double him all night and he still was making plays and catches.”
When you talk about team player, Zimmerman showed that tonight.
Late in the game and the Tigers looking to run out the clock Eli broke free for what look like another touchdown run. But instead, he slid down at the Spartans 15 to help run out the clock and a team win.
“Overall tonight it was a great team win,” said Eli Zimmerman. “It was a playoff atmosphere tonight.”
Eli finished the game with 236 yards rushing.
Northwestern Lehigh 23, Southern Lehigh 17
| Friday, October 25, 2024 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
| Northwestern Lehigh | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 23 |
| Southern Lehigh | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 17 |
Scoring Summary:
2nd Quarter:
NWL: Shane Leh 8 yards pass to Mason Bollinger (Josh Wambold kick) 10:05
NWL: Josh Wambold 27-yard field goal 5:08
3rd Quarter:
SL: Sean Steckert 16 yard run (Noah Tapler kick) 11:42
SL: Noah Tapler 27-yard field goal 5:51
4th Quarter:
NWL: Mason Bollinger 9-yard run (Josh Wambold kick) 9:42
NWL: Eli Zimmerman 71-yard run (kick failed) 6:47
SL: Colton Sams 8-yard pass to Andrew Olesh (Noah Tapler kick) 2:22
