Fritts Scores Six Touchdowns as Southern Lehigh Rallies Past Notre Dame-Green Pond, 48-27, in Battle of Unbeatens

Southern Lehigh running back Adam Fritts delivered a performance to remember Friday night, rushing for 175 yards and six touchdowns as the Spartans rallied in the second half to defeat Notre Dame-Green Pond 48-27 in a highly anticipated Colonial League showdown between two unbeaten teams.

The Spartans jumped out to a 20-7 first-quarter lead, but Notre Dame battled back and eventually took a 27-26 advantage early in the third quarter. Southern Lehigh responded by scoring the game’s final 22 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to secure the victory.

Fritts was the difference-maker throughout the contest. The senior running back carried 32 times for 175 yards and six touchdowns, while also contributing defensively with four tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Southern Lehigh wasted little time establishing its ground attack.

Fritts opened the scoring with a four-yard touchdown run with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point failed, leaving the Spartans with a 6-0 advantage.

Less than two minutes later, Fritts found the end zone again, this time on a seven-yard run. He added the two-point conversion to extend Southern Lehigh’s lead to 14-0.

Notre Dame answered with an explosive play from quarterback Tommy Murphy, who broke loose for a 69-yard touchdown run with 4:01 remaining in the opening quarter. Clemente Cintron converted the extra point to cut the deficit to 14-7.

Southern Lehigh responded when quarterback Colton Sams connected with Jack Pavis for a 23-yard touchdown pass. The conversion attempt failed, but the Spartans carried a 20-7 advantage into the second quarter.

Notre Dame refused to go away.

Jonathan Striba scored on a four-yard touchdown run with 8:48 remaining in the second quarter. Cintron added the extra point, trimming Southern Lehigh’s lead to 20-14.

The Spartans answered late in the half when Fritts powered his way into the end zone from one yard out with 1:13 remaining. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Southern Lehigh ahead 26-14.

But Notre Dame struck quickly.

Just 14 seconds later, Murphy connected with Striba on a 28-yard touchdown pass. The extra point failed, but the Crusaders had cut Southern Lehigh’s advantage to 26-20 heading into halftime.

The momentum continued to swing in Notre Dame’s favor early in the third quarter.

Aaron Gordon broke free for an 85-yard touchdown run with 8:37 remaining, and Cintron converted the extra point to give the Crusaders their first lead of the night, 27-26.

With its unbeaten record facing a serious challenge, Southern Lehigh turned once again to Fritts.

The Spartans responded with a scoring drive capped by Fritts’ fourth touchdown, a two-yard run with 6:12 remaining in the third quarter. Sams connected with Jack Fistner for the two-point conversion, putting Southern Lehigh back in front 34-27.

That touchdown proved to be the turning point.

Southern Lehigh’s defense shut down Notre Dame’s offense for the remainder of the game, while the Spartans continued to control the clock with their running game.

Fritts extended the lead early in the fourth quarter with a five-yard touchdown run at the 8:24 mark. Declan Walsh converted the extra point to make it 41-27.

Fritts then put the finishing touches on his remarkable performance with a 22-yard touchdown run with 2:44 remaining. Walsh added the extra point, giving Southern Lehigh the 48-27 victory.

The Spartans’ offense was led by Fritts, who averaged 5.5 yards per carry while scoring six of Southern Lehigh’s seven touchdowns.

Sams provided balance through the air, completing 18 of 27 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception.

Otto Young was Sams’ favorite target, hauling in nine passes for 77 yards. Pavis caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown, while Fistner added three receptions for 31 yards. Tanner Traub contributed a 29-yard reception.

Jack MoDavis added 23 rushing yards on five carries as Southern Lehigh finished with 188 yards on the ground.

Notre Dame’s offense produced several explosive plays, particularly in the running game.

Gordon led the Crusaders with 105 yards and a touchdown on just three carries, highlighted by his 85-yard scoring run. Murphy added 66 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts.

Through the air, Murphy completed 15 of 24 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Striba was Notre Dame’s leading receiver, catching seven passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He also added a rushing touchdown, giving him two scores in the contest.

Drew Boyd contributed a 54-yard reception, while CJ Diaz caught three passes for 21 yards.

Defensively, Southern Lehigh made several key plays to help secure the victory.

Seiler Hummel led the Spartans with six tackles and a forced fumble. Fritts added four tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, while Dylan Gretz recorded three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

Noah Hoppel and Lucas Sutyak also registered sacks, while Layton Shook intercepted a Murphy pass and returned it 13 yards.

The Spartans’ defense was especially effective after Notre Dame took the lead in the third quarter, keeping the Crusaders off the scoreboard over the final 20 minutes.

Notre Dame’s defense was led by John Hull and Boyd, who each finished with 10 tackles. Joseph Nehme added seven tackles, while Noah Snyder contributed five.

The Crusaders also received sacks from Hull, Gordon and Santino Milioto.

Southern Lehigh held a significant advantage in first downs, 24-11, and controlled possession for 28 minutes and 15 seconds compared with Notre Dame’s 19:45.

The Spartans also ran 69 offensive plays compared with 43 for the Crusaders, allowing Southern Lehigh to sustain drives and wear down Notre Dame’s defense as the game progressed.

While Notre Dame used explosive plays to stay within striking distance and eventually take the lead, Southern Lehigh’s ability to respond with long scoring drives and capitalize on defensive stops proved decisive.

The victory was particularly impressive considering the Spartans trailed 27-26 early in the third quarter before responding with three consecutive touchdowns.

For Southern Lehigh, the night belonged to Fritts, whose six rushing touchdowns powered the Spartans through one of their biggest challenges of the season.

With the Colonial League showdown hanging in the balance, Fritts and the Spartans delivered when it mattered most, scoring the final 22 points to secure a 48-27 victory over Notre Dame-Green Pond and remain unbeaten.

Scoring summary:

1st quarter:
SL: Adam Fritts 4 yard run (kick failed) 6:45
SL: Adam Fritts 7 yard run (Fritts run good) 4:59
ND: Tommy Murphy 69 yard run (Clemente Cintron kick good) 4:01
SL: Colton Sams 23 yard pass to Jack Pavis (run failed) 0:00

2nd quarter:
ND: Jonathan Striba 4 yard run (Clemente Cintron kick good) 8:48
SL: Adam Fritts 1 run (run failed), 1:13
ND: Tommy Murphy 28 yard pass to Striba (kick failed) 0:59

3rd quarter:
ND: Aaron Gordon 85 yard run (Clemente Cintron kick good) 8:37
SL: Adam Fritts 2 yard run (Colton Sams pass to Jack Fistner) 6:12

4th quarter:
SL: Adam Fritts 5 yard run (Declan Walsh Kick good) 8:24
SL: Adam Fritts 22 yard run (Declan Walsh kick good) 2:44

Stars of the game:
Passing:
SL – Colton Sams – 18-27 – 186 yards – 1 TD (Needs 3 TD’s to break District 11 record)
ND – Tommy Murphy – 15-24 – 189 yards – TD

Rushing:
SL – Adam Fritts – 32 carries – 175 yards – 6 TD’s
ND – Aaron Gordon – 3 carries – 105 yards – TD
ND – Tommy Murphy – 11 carries – 66 yards – TD

Receiving:
SL – Otto Young – 9 catches – 77 yards
ND – Jonathan Striba – 7 catches – 85 yards – TD