Northwestern Lehigh football’s defensive dominance a surprise to even its coach

Josh Snyder’s offseason assessment of his 2024 Northwestern Lehigh football team was that the defense was not going to be on the same level as the offense because in large part to the graduation loss of its top two tacklers and leaders.

Coaches know their talent better than anyone, and few could argue with Snyder’s assessment when you look at the numbers. Linebackers Dalton Clymer and Blaine Snyder combined for 683 career tackles. Fellow 2024 graduates Ben Walters and Devon Hildebrand also were standouts defensively.

“I thought [the defense] was going to be the one area that would need time to catch up,” Snyder said. “But they’ve really turned it up a notch.”

Those two sentences represent a rare misread and perhaps the biggest understatement Snyder has made in his 12 seasons in charge of his alma mater.

Northwestern Lehigh’s defense has been the Colonial-Schuylkill League’s best from the start.

The numbers don’t lie:

• Northwestern has recorded three consecutive shutouts and not given up a point since the third offensive play of its Week 6 game at North Schuylkill. The Tigers responded with 49 consecutive points. The three shutouts in a row matches the 1998 team record for consecutive shutouts.

• Four shutouts so far this year equals the program record set in 2003 and 2009.

• The Tigers have allowed only 36 points in nine games (4.0 ppg). Only 15 of those were yielded by the first-team defense.

• They have mercy-ruled eight of their first nine opponents. Only Blue Mountain in Week 4 pushed Northwestern for four quarters. The Tigers still led 30-0 before giving up a fourth-quarter touchdown and two-point conversion.

• Opponents have managed only 484 rushing yards and 647 passing yards in the first nine games leading up to Friday’s showdown with 8-1 Southern Lehigh for the Colonial-Schuylkill League Division A championship.

• The Tigers have produced 78 tackles for loss and 17 turnovers so far in 2024.

Simply put, Northwestern’s defense has been dominant.

That group will be tested by a stellar Southern Lehigh offense with many weapons. Michigan commit Andrew Olesh is among the most gifted athletes the league has ever seen. Sean Steckert has developed into a workhorse running back who enjoys running through opposing defenders as much as around them.

Luke Kawczenski has evolved into an athletic nightmare for opposing defensive backs and Darius Roman is a sure-handed deep threat in the passing game led by quarterback Colton Sams, who is approaching 2,000 yards.

And the Spartans have a sizeable group up front on the offensive line.

“I think they do a better job of distributing the ball to other kids [than previous years],” Snyder said. “They have a lot of different weapons. They run screens, take shots down the field and find creative ways to get Olesh the ball. Last year, he was at wide receiver. You knew where he was going to line up. Offensively, they give you more looks than in the past.”

Northwestern’s defensive success this season is rooted in a decision made by Snyder and his staff a decade ago when it switched from a four-man front to three down linemen. It has allowed the Tigers to utilize their athleticism and speed and keep their undersized defenders from getting locked up in the trenched by bigger offensive linemen.

Bryer Reichard and Jackson Huber were returning starters on the line. Huber blossomed when he was moved into the starting lineup midway through last season. Reichard is the league’s most dominant lineman. Despite limited time because of the blowouts, he leads all league players from the 17 area teams in tackles for loss and is tied for first in sacks and fumble recoveries.

In short, the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder has been a menace. Huber, at 5-10, 300, dominates the A and B gaps. There was a void at the other defensive end position, but Jared Meck is having a stellar season in his first year as a starter.

“My first reaction is how good we are at all three levels,” Snyder said. “But it starts with the D-line. Being able to stay in our 30 look allows us to have coverage and blitz from all angles.

“Huber and Bryer have come back year bigger and better and all that. We didn’t really know about Meck. He’s a three-year starter at guard but never really took to the defensive side of ball. But from Day 1 this season, he’s taken ownership of being that guy. He’s our second-leading tackler, so if you want to run away from Bryer you’ve got to pick your poison.”

Northwestern’s secondary has been solid, led by Eli Zimmerman, who tied a school record last week with his 17th career interception, Landen Matson and others.

Finding replacements for Clymer and Snyder, however, were the ultimate keys to the defense. The inside linebacker positions are crucial for every team. Snyder’s crew relies on them for intelligence, leadership, energy and being solid tacklers. Those two were the epitome of what Northwestern football stands for in the Snyder era.

Adding to the challenge was returning starter Shane Hulmes sitting out the first two games then slowly working back because of a shoulder injury. He also was moving from outside linebacker to the inside.

Northwestern’s defense was solid even when Hulmes was not 100% thanks to the development or continued steady play of many. Brady Zimmerman, Eli’s younger brother, leads the Tigers with 75 tackles in his first year as a starter. Josh Wambold, Evan Wagstaff, Mason Bollinger, Braxton Lakatosh and Brendan Miller are others who have been productive contributors.

Hulmes is third on the team despite the missed time and the blowouts with 54 tackles, including 10 for loss, and two forced fumbles.

“He is so smart and disciplined,” Snyder said of Hulmes. “He’s our defensive quarterback. He makes all the calls and adjustments. He brings the wood from the linebacker position. He’s a big, strong, physical kid. He tackles with authority. He plays with emotion.

“When he got back into game shape, you could see our defense go to another level above what it was.”

Southern Lehigh has taken its play to another level since its Week 2 loss at Blue Mountain. The Spartans won all seven games since. They are looking to end a four-game losing streak in the series against the Tigers, including 42-14 last season.

“The Blue Mountain game was a wake-up call,” Sams said. “We told them that they can’t take anything for granted. You’re only guaranteed 10 games a year and if you’re a senior, it goes by like that.”

Colonial-Schuylkill League Week 10 picks

Pottsville (5-4) at North Schuylkill (6-3) : The Spartans have won five of the last six meetings, but both teams are playing well entering the latest matchup. Coach Mike Brennan’s Crimson Tide are young but getting better every week. They will need to handle the Spartans’ size up front. NORTH SCHUYLKILL 28-20

Northwestern (9-0) at Southern Lehigh (8-1) : The Tigers have been out-of-this-world good defensively. The Spartans have been much better since a Week 2 loss at Blue Mountain, but this will be a tall task. NORTHWESTERN 28-7

Bangor (0-9) at Pen Argyl (4-5) : What better way for the injury-ravaged Slaters to finish a forgettable season than to beat their rivals for their only win? They’ll need to stop Caiden Faust and the Pen Argyl running game, something coach Brady Mutton has been developing the last few years. PEN ARGYL 14-12

Catasauqua (3-6) at Palmerton (2-7) : It’s been a tough ride for both teams this season. The Rough Riders have lost six in a row after a 3-0 start. They must win or hope Palisades loses to Salisbury to make the 2A postseason. CATASAUQUA 21-15

Notre Dame-GP (8-1) at Wilson (0-9) : The goal here for the Crusaders is to not get anyone hurt here. QB Matt Bodnar likely sets a program single-season passing yardage record and coach Phil Stambaugh equals the career wins mark at the school. The Warriors tie the area’s all-time mark for consecutive losses (31) with a setback in this rivalry. NOTRE DAME-GP 49-7

Palisades (2-7) at Salisbury (4-5) : A .500 record in coach Kevin DiZenzo’s first season would feel a whole lot better. A two-game winning streak and a likely trip to Schuylkill Haven is a much more fitting ending to the Pirates season than 2-8 and preparing for the winter sports season. PALISADES 14-13

Saucon Valley (7-2) at Northern Lehigh (7-2) : The Panthers are fighting for their 3A playoff lives. The Bulldogs are in the 2A field as a likely third seed. Both teams love to run the ball but have dangerous threats in the passing game. SAUCON VALLEY 28-22

Williams Valley (8-1) at Pine Grove (1-8) : The Vikings are looking to defend their District 11 Class 2A title. They’ve done nothing this season to give anyone a reason to think they won’t be back in the final again. WILLIAMS VALLEY 42-6

Shenandoah Valley (0-8) at Mahanoy Area (3-6) : The Golden Bears are fighting for their playoff lives and must win to have a chance to grab either the seventh or eighth seed in 2A. MAHANOY AREA 41-13

Panther Valley (2-7) at Minersville (6-3) : The Battlin’ Miners have hit their stride and are looking to secure a first-round home game in 2A. The Panthers are on their fourth quarterback. MINERSVILLE 35-7

Schuylkill Haven (8-1) at Tri-Valley (6-3) : The Hurricanes likely take the No. 1 seed in 2A with a win. The Bulldogs need a win to stay at No. 2 in Class A but gave up 42 points in last week’s loss to Minersville. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 42-14

Marian Catholic (5-4) at Nativity BVM (6-3) : The Green Wave and the Colts are fighting for a Class A playoff berth. NATIVITY BVM 28-14

Jim Thorpe (3-6) at Lehighton (3-6) : Both teams are in the 4A tournament. The loser faces No. 1 seed Southern Lehigh in next week’s quarterfinals. LEHIGHTON 28-20

Blue Mountain (6-3) at Tamaqua (6-3) : Both teams have skidded lately. The Eagles are trying to secure a 4A quarterfinal home game. The Blue Raiders are trying to make the 3A four-team bracket. BLUE MOUNTAIN 21-13

Last week : 13-1

Season : 107-25

Morning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com