Northwestern Lehigh vs. Scranton Prep

Recap

NORTHWESTERN LEHIGH 34, SCRANTON PREP 0

At historic Crispin Field in Berwick, the Scranton Prep Cavaliers saw their 2024 campaign come to an end at the hands of the same school who accomplished that last season, the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers, this time by the score of 34-0. The Cavaliers finish their season with a 12-2 record. Their only other loss was to Canisius High School of Buffalo back in the 3^rd week of the season.

Throughout the first quarter and into the second, the teams traded punts. Prep got outstanding play in the defensive backfield from junior safety who deflected three different passes that appeared headed for big gainers for the Tigers. Finally, the Tigers were able to mount a long, sustained drive, one that covered 18 plays and 80 yards, swallowing up the majority of the second quarter. The Tigers were aided by a questionable pass interference penalty on 4^th down and 15 from the Prep 34-yard line, granting Northwestern a first down and continuing the march. A few plays later, talented senior tailback Eli Zimmerman pushed over from the 2, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 2:47 left in the opening half. More importantly, on that drive, Prep quarterback Louis Paris was injured and forced to leave the contest with an apparent knee injury. He did not return to the game.

After a Prep punt, the Tigers threatened once again after a 24-yard halfback option pass from Zimmerman to Michael Lagowy. The Cavaliers defense stiffened and got help from an errant pass from quarterback Shane Leh to a wide-open receiver in the end zone. Josh Wombold’s field goal attempt was no good as the half expired, sending the teams to the locker room with only seven points between them.

The Tigers, with the help of great field position garnered from a fine kickoff return by Seth Kern, looked to extend their halftime advantage. Once again, the Prep defense bowed up to stop the Tigers, gaining possession for the Cavaliers on their 41-yard line. With Will McPartland replacing Paris at quarterback, Prep was unable to move the ball on their first possession of the second half and were forced to punt. Jordan Talarico’s punt was fielded on a bounce by Zimmerman on his own 19-yard line. The senior back found a wall of blocking along the sideline and outraced the Prep coverage team enroute to an 81-yard scoring play. With 8:03 left in the 3^rd period, the Tigers led 14-0.

On Prep’s next possession, Zimmerman added to his virtuoso performance by picking off a Will McPartland pass attempt to put the Tigers in business at the Prep 32-yard line. A few plays later, Leh found Shane Hulmes on a play-action pass from a yard away, making the score 21-0.

Prep was once again forced to kick the ball away to the Tigers. On a play reminiscent of trick plays from decades ago, the Tigers appeared to run a receiver off the field, only to have him stop just short of the Tiger sideline. That receiver, Michael Lagowy, then hauled in a 35-yard scoring pass from Leh to increase the Tigers’ advantage to 28-0.

The final points from Northwestern came when reserve quarterback Mason Bollinger carried the football over from 2-yards away. Wombold’s extra point was unsuccessful, making the final margin 34-0.

Northwestern Lehigh now advances to the state semifinal where they will face Danville for the right to play for a state championship at Cumberland Valley High School in two weeks.

2024 campaign come to an end at the hands of the same school who accomplished that last season, the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers, this time by the score of 34-0. The Cavaliers finish their season with a 12-2 record. Their only other loss was to Canisius High School of Buffalo back in the 3^rd week of the season.

Throughout the first quarter and into the second, the teams traded punts. Prep got outstanding play in the defensive backfield from junior safety who deflected three different passes that appeared headed for big gainers for the Tigers. Finally, the Tigers were able to mount a long, sustained drive, one that covered 18 plays and 80 yards, swallowing up the majority of the second quarter. The Tigers were aided by a questionable pass interference penalty on 4^th down and 15 from the Prep 34-yard line, granting Northwestern a first down and continuing the march. A few plays later, talented senior tailback Eli Zimmerman pushed over from the 2, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 2:47 left in the opening half. More importantly, on that drive, Prep quarterback Louis Paris was injured and forced to leave the contest with an apparent knee injury. He did not return to the game.

After a Prep punt, the Tigers threatened once again after a 24-yard halfback option pass from Zimmerman to Michael Lagowy. The Cavaliers defense stiffened and got help from an errant pass from quarterback Shane Leh to a wide-open receiver in the end zone. Josh Wombold’s field goal attempt was no good as the half expired, sending the teams to the locker room with only seven points between them.

The Tigers, with the help of great field position garnered from a fine kickoff return by Seth Kern, looked to extend their halftime advantage. Once again, the Prep defense bowed up to stop the Tigers, gaining possession for the Cavaliers on their 41-yard line. With Will McPartland replacing Paris at quarterback, Prep was unable to move the ball on their first possession of the second half and were forced to punt. Jordan Talarico’s punt was fielded on a bounce by Zimmerman on his own 19-yard line. The senior back found a wall of blocking along the sideline and outraced the Prep coverage team enroute to an 81-yard scoring play. With 8:03 left in the 3^rd period, the Tigers led 14-0.

On Prep’s next possession, Zimmerman added to his virtuoso performance by picking off a Will McPartland pass attempt to put the Tigers in business at the Prep 32-yard line. A few plays later, Leh found Shane Hulmes on a play-action pass from a yard away, making the score 21-0.

Prep was once again forced to kick the ball away to the Tigers. On a play reminiscent of trick plays from decades ago, the Tigers appeared to run a receiver off the field, only to have him stop just short of the Tiger sideline. That receiver, Michael Lagowy, then hauled in a 35-yard scoring pass from Leh to increase the Tigers’ advantage to 28-0.

The final points from Northwestern came when reserve quarterback Mason Bollinger carried the football over from 2-yards away. Wombold’s extra point was unsuccessful, making the final margin 34-0.

Northwestern Lehigh now advances to the state semifinal where they will face Danville for the right to play for a state championship at Cumberland Valley High School in two weeks.