The game started with both teams forcing three and outs. Southern Lehigh’s quarterback Colton Sams threw a fifty-five-yard touchdown pass to Luke Kawcsenski which gave Southern Leigh an early 7-0 lead. Shamokin would answer on their next possession with Zakem Clinton finding the end zone with a five-yard rushing touchdown that tied the game 7-7. Earlier in the second quarter, Southern Leigh retook the lead with a Sean Steckert twenty-five-yard rushing touchdown and converted a two-point conversion to extend their lead to 15-7 with 8:25 remaining in the first half.
Shamokin was looking to answer before heading into halftime. Running back Zakem Clinton rushed for a twenty-three-yard touchdown that was his second of the game. Heading into halftime, Shamokin trailed 15-14. Coming out of the half, Shamokin got the scoring started with quarterback Logan Steele rushing for a ten-yard touchdown giving the Indians a 20-15 lead. Southern Lehigh’s first possession of the second half resulted in Sams having his pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Logan Steele, extending the Shamokin lead to 27-15.
A big fourth down conversion set up southern Lehigh’s Sean Steckert for a three-yard rushing touchdown cutting the Shamokin lead to 27-22 with 3:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Heading into the fourth quarter, it was 27-22 Shamokin. It was back and forth throughout the fourth quarter with multiple defensive stops. With under three minutes to go, Southern Lehigh got the ball back and drove down the field setting themselves up in a got to have it fourth down conversion. Southern Lehigh continued to lean on Senior Jack Steckert on this drive. They converted the fourth down and on the next play punched it for a three-yard rushing touchdown by Steckert. Needing one more defensive stop, Steckert intercepted Shamokin Quarterback Luke Steele and sealed the 30-27 victory over Shamokin.
Southern Leigh advances to the state semifinals and will take on Cardinal O’Hara.
