Phil Sams’ red zone philosophy was simple:
“I’m the on-fourth-down-I’m-going-to-go-for-it-no-matter-what guy,” the Southern Lehigh head coach said.
But Noah Tapler and a couple of Spartans assistants have changed Sams’ way of thinking. That was evident during Friday night’s game against visiting Tamaqua.
Leading 7-0, Southern Lehigh got a Dariuz Lightner interception return to the Tamaqua 19-yard line. After three plays netted only three yards, Sams called on Tapler to kick a 33-yard field goal.
“You drive 80 yards and not get what you want to,” Sams said. “But you come away with points and just feel a little settled. I’m not usually like that.”
The Spartans looked like they weren’t going to have a choice entering the season. They were without a kicker and left with limited options among the returning players.
But senior Andrew Olesh told Sams in the offseason that Tapler wanted to kick. But he didn’t show up for any of the workouts.
“But he shows up right before doubles,” Sams said.
It was obvious Tapler, a former soccer player, was going to be a better option than anyone else. He was 23 of 26 in extra points and made both field goals attempts, including a 42-yarder, in Southern Lehigh’s first six games.
Last Friday was further proof of the weapon Sams has at his disposal.
Leading 10-0, the Spartans got a fourth-down stop at the Blue Raiders’ 29. Again, Tamaqua’s defense allowed only three yards on three plays. That forced Sams to again weigh his options. He again called on Tapler, who booted a 43-yard field goal for a 13-0 advantage.
“The head referee said that would have been good from 50,” Sams boasted. “What a great thing to have.”
Tapler made a 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter even though it was partially blocked. The 5-foot-9, 155-pounder added three extra points and six of his eight kickoffs were touchbacks.
“Oh, my God,” Sams said. “What a gift. That kid is going to be able to kick in college if he wants to. The kid can flat out kick. What a great thing to have.”
Ridiculousness continues
Eli Zimmerman’s 163 rushing yards in Northwestern’s 35-0 win over Pottsville gives him 996 yards through seven games this season. That moves him into first place among the 17 area Colonial-Schuylkill League teams. His three touchdowns give him 17, which ties him with Southern Lehigh’s Sean Steckert for the area lead.
What’s most impressive is that Zimmerman is averaging 14.4 yards per carry. That is more than double anyone else in the top 10 in rushing yards.
Another week, another career high
Jameson Trainer’s back-to-back career games have led Palmerton to a two-game winning streak after starting the season 0-5.
The senior first-year quarterback passed for 135 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a career-high 268 yards and three scores in a 44-21 win over Palisades.
That topped his career-high 202 yards rushing the previous week in a victory at Wilson. He has soared to third in the area rushing leaders with 873 with 11 touchdowns.
Another week, another record
Jim Thorpe’s Justin Yescavage set the school’s career receiving yardage record in Friday’s win over Catasauqua. The senior’s 41-yard touchdown catch was part of a six-reception night for 97 yards. He has 1,833 yards in his career to go with a school-record 108 receptions.
Yescavage’s 40 receptions this season are tops in District 11.
Notes
Pottsville lost standout running back JuJu Bainbridge early in the first half against Northwestern with an ankle injury. He had two carries for 22 yards before leaving the game. … Minersville (Dante Carr) and Pine Grove (Wyatt Dixon) played without their starting quarterbacks due to injuries. The Battlin’ Miners won 31-14 despite also not having their backup. Third stringer (and starting running back) Easton Schultz stepped in to throw for 160 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 54 yards and picked off two passes on defense.
Colonial-Schuylkill League football top 10
No. Team (record); of note; next up
1. Northwestern Lehigh (7-0, 1) ; pitched its second shutout of the year against Pottsville; Friday vs. Jim Thorpe
2. Blue Mountain (6-1, 3) ; totaled 439 yards in rout of Lehighton; Thursday vs. North Schuylkill
3. Southern Lehigh (6-1, 4) ; scored first six times it had ball in dealing Tamaqua its first loss; Friday at Bangor
4. Schuylkill Haven (6-1; 7) ; Niko Carestia rushed for 281 yards in shutout of Marian Catholic; Friday at Pine Grove
5. Tamaqua (6-1, 2) ; gave up 43 points to Southern Lehigh after giving up 59 total to first six foes; Friday at Lehighton
6. North Schuylkill (4-3, 5) ; Luke Miller’s 5 TDs helped Spartans score game’s last 29 points vs. Bangor; Thursday at Blue Mountain
7. Notre Dame-GP (6-1, 6) ; Matt Bodnar threw for 441 yards, 5 TDs vs. Pen Argyl; Friday at Palisades
8. Saucon Valley (6-1, 8) ; Andrew Gilbert had 13 tackles, 3 for loss, against Salisbury; Friday vs. Pen Argyl
9. Williams Valley (6-1; 10) ; Brady Shomper threw 4 TD passes, ran for 2 more vs. Panther Valley; Friday vs. Marian Catholic
10. Northern Lehigh (5-2, 9) ; Ayden Oswald caught a 58-yard TD pass on game’s first play vs. Wilson; Friday at Catasauqua
Honorable mention (listed alphabetically) : Catasauqua (3-4); Jim Thorpe (2-5); Lehighton (2-5); Marian Catholic (4-3); Minersville (4-3); Nativity BVM (6-1); Pen Argyl (3-4); Pottsville (3-4); Salisbury (3-4); Tri-Valley (5-2)
Week 7 scores
Northwestern 35, Pottsville 0
Southern Lehigh 43, Tamaqua 7
North Schuylkill 39, Bangor 14
Schuylkill Haven 36, Marian Catholic 0
Jim Thorpe 39, Catasauqua 0
Blue Mountain 55, Lehighton 14
Nativity BVM 50, Mahanoy Area 8
Minersville 31, Pine Grove 14
Tri-Valley 42, Shenandoah Valley 10
Williams Valley 47, Panther Valley 0
Northern Lehigh 42, Wilson 7
Saucon Valley 33, Salisbury 7
Palmerton 44, Palisades 21
Notre Dame-GP 42, Pen Argyl 15
Morning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com .
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