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SLATINGTON, Pa. – Southern Lehigh held on for a 21-14 win over Northern Lehigh in a Colonial League football game at Bulldog Stadium on Friday night. The Spartans emerged victorious in their first contest of the 2020 campaign while the setback dropped NL to 0-2 this fall.
The duo of Jake Fauzio and Logan Shorb helped pilot the Spartans to victory in their first game of the season. Fauzio finished with 111 rushing yards on 20 carries. On defense, he also recorded two interceptions, including one in the final minutes to seal the win. Shorb notched 86 yards and one touchdown on the ground on 13 carries.
Additionally, Syncere Jackson tallied 44 rushing yards and a score on 11 carries.
Despite that robust rushing attack by the Spartans, their first score came via the passing game. Quarterback JC Rizzuto rolled out and connected with Tyler Houser on a five-yard touchdown. The Spartans led 7-0 after the first quarter.
Jackson’s rushing touchdown came just a few minutes into the action-packed second quarter, which put the visitors up 14-0. The Northern Lehigh offense had a response, however, as on the Bulldogs’ next drive Trevor Amorim on a reverse went 30 yards for the touchdown. After a missed extra point, the Spartans’ lead was cut to 14-6 with 9:09 left in the half.
Next Spartans’ possession, Shorb scored on as 12-yard carry to extend the lead to 21-6. Again, Northern Lehigh had an answer, just a few minutes later, less than two minutes before half the Bulldogs found the end zone. Dylan Smoyer hit Ethan Karpowich on an 11-yard passing touchdown. Mike Repsher ran in a successful two-point conversion, which made it 21-14 at the half.
Following a scoreless third quarter, the Bulldogs were driving in Southern Lehigh territory, looking for the game-tying score with 1:03 left in the game, but NL’s pass was tipped and intercepted by Fauzio. The turnover halted Northern Lehigh’s drive on SL’s 38-yard line and secure the win for the Spartans.
The Bulldogs finished with four turnovers in the loss.
NL will visit Wilson on Oct. 10 as they look for their first win of 2020. The Spartans are set to host Saucon Valley on Friday night.
