Although Southern Lehigh was forced to play Friday night’s game on the road due to unplayable field conditions at their place, the Spartans felt right at home at Bomber Stadium. Southern Lehigh battled with Palmerton early, but pulled away late in the Colonial League contest to win 27-12.
Southern Lehigh took a 7-0 lead before their offense even stepped out onto the field. On the first drive of the game Asher Smith intercepted a Palmerton pass and weaved through traffic on his way to returning it 37 yards for a touchdown.
Smith delivered quite the performance for the Spartan faithful that filled the visitor bleachers. He scored all four of Southern Lehigh’s touchdowns, amassed 217 rushing yards, 10 receiving yards, and the aforementioned interception.
Despite Smith’s stellar performance, the Blue Bombers held their own in the battle of 1-0 teams. Following the pick-six in the opening period, Palmerton drove down the field and found the end zone with a 15-yard pass from Jordan Nelson to Ethan Recker. The pass was tipped and bobbled, but Recker was able to haul it in.
Smith scampered 47 yards for a touchdown to close out the first quarter. Then in the second period, Palmerton’s defense delivered. The Bombers forced a Southern Lehigh fumble and then recovered the loose ball in the end zone for the touchdown. Palmerton tried a two-point conversion, but failed, which was the difference in the game after their extra point attempt earlier was blocked.
Both squads managed long drives in the third quarter, but none were able to produce points. After a scoreless third quarter and first half of the fourth, the Spartans began to pull away. Smith punched in a five-yard rushing score to cap off a long, methodical drive that ate up most of the fourth-quarter clock. Then Solehi added some insurance in the closing minutes with another Smith score.
Nelson led Palmerton in their rushing attack with 78 yards on seven carries.
Next up for Southern Lehigh is a pivotal showdown against Notre Dame Green Pond as both teams are undefeated. The Spartans will have to be the road warriors once again as that game will be played at Quakertown High School. For Palmerton, they will host Saucon Valley next week.
Southern Lehigh 14 0 0 13 – 27
Palmerton 6 6 0 0 – 12
SL – Smith 37 interception (Colasurdo kick)
P – Recker 15 pass from Nelson (kick failed)
SL – Smith 47 run (Colasurdo kick)
P – Sabo recovers fumble in end zone (run failed)
SL – Smith 5 run (Colasurdo kick)
SL – Smith 5 run (pass failed)
STATISTICS
SL P
First Downs 19 14
Rushing yards 37-229 25-174
Passing yards 109 129
Total Offense 338 303
Passing 8-10-0 12-24-3
Punts 1-34 1-27
Fumbles (Lost) 2-1 2-0
Penalties (yds.) 3-35 3-16
Passing: So. Lehigh: Vogeler 8-9-0-109, Smith 0-1-0-0. Palmerton: Nelson 7-15-2-96, Serfass 3-4-0-20, Heydt 2-5-1-13.
Receiving: So. Lehigh: Shorb 1-42, Fisher 3-37, Bodner 4-28, Smith 1-10. Palmerton: Recker 5-48, Heydt 1-40, Denicola 3-26, Dailey 1-5, Nelson 1-5, Bartholomew 1-5.
