PIAA-4A Championship Preview

Twin Valley and Southern Lehigh have a lot in common. The Raiders and Spartans have reached the state championship game for the first time. Both teams have 14 wins and outstanding running backs. Each head coach has a son who plays a prominent role. Twin Valley and Southern Lehigh won their PIAA-4A semifinals by an identical score of 28-24. The Raiders and Spartans both jumped out to big leads in those nailbiters. When they leave Cumberland Valley on Thursday night, however, only one of them will be able to say they’re a state champion.

Twin Valley is averaging 50.6 points, but the (14-0) Raiders struggled offensively in the semifinals against WPIAL powerhouse Aliquippa. The Quips only allowed 113 total yards. They didn’t give up a single first down in the second half. Twin Valley took advantage of outstanding field position in the first half. Ryan Rementer and Keenan Munn came up with key interceptions that led to 14 points in the second quarter. Rementer and Lucas Myers, the son of head coach Brett Myers, are the Raiders’ top two tacklers. Twin Valley is limiting opponents to 11 ppg. Myers, a 215-pound junior linebacker, has a team-high nine sacks. Junior defensive end Andrew Cabigas (6’3, 215) has added five sacks. Rementer and Drew Engle have three interceptions apiece.

Engle is much more well known for what he’s done on the offensive side of the ball. The 5’11, 185-pound senior holds school records for single-season (1,920) and career (4,036) rushing yards. His 60 touchdowns are the most in program history. The Army lacrosse commit is averaging 9.5 yards per carry this year. Myers has also been a force in a rushing attack that puts up 287 yards a night. He has 1,147 yards and 24 TD on the ground this season. Myers scored three times in the victory over Aliquippa a week ago. They run behind an offensive line that averages 279 pounds. The Raiders get just 96 yards per contest through the air. Sophomore Maverik Foster has been very efficient for the District 3 champs. He’s completing 71% of his passes with 16 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Southern Lehigh is more balanced offensively. The (14-1) Spartans average 231 rushing yards and 172 passing yards. Sean Steckert has been a workhorse again this year. The 5’9, 175-pound senior has put together back-to-back seasons with more than 2,000 yards on the ground. Steckert has piled up 2,911 yards and 41 TD in 2025. He’s been good for 8.3 yards per pop on a whopping 349 carries. Steckert ran the ball 46 times in the District 11-4A Final versus Bethlehem Catholic. He finished that 49-28 win with 277 yards and five touchdowns. Steckert turned 40 carries into 210 yards and three scores last week against Cardinal O’Hara. Southern Lehigh was in front 21-0 in the second quarter, but needed a late rally. Steckert’s 4-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds left was the difference. He’s a standout on the wrestling mat as well with 80 career wins. The Spartans’ offensive line includes Carter Giberson (6’4, 336), Lucas Sutyak (6’3, 292), and Dylan Gretz (6’2, 247). Giberson is committed to Albany.

Colton Sams, the son of head coach Phil Sams, is the quarterback for an offense that averages 39.9 ppg. The 5’11, 169-pound junior is already in the record books at Southern Lehigh. Sams is the school’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes. In 2025, he has thrown for 2,543 yards with 34 TD and 5 INT. Sams is completing 72% of his attempts. Darius Roman and Luke Kawczenski are his top targets. The two seniors have combined for 95 receptions, 1,379 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Roman (5’8, 185) came up big in the state semifinals. He reeled in seven passes for 112 yards and a score. Sams was 14-of-18 last week for 149 yards and a touchdown.

The Spartans are allowing 16.5 ppg. Senior linebackers Dariuz Lightner and Jacoby Jacobs have 95 tackles apiece. Gretz has wreaked havoc on the defensive line with 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Sophomore safety Jack Pavis and Lightner each have four interceptions. Pavis is third on the squad with 61 tackles.

Southern Lehigh’s lone loss came at the hands of Northwestern Lehigh on October 24th. The undefeated Tigers prevailed 36-28. Northwestern Lehigh is going for its second straight PIAA-3A title on Saturday afternoon. Twin Valley’s closest game was last week’s thriller with Aliquippa. The Raiders trailed Susquehanna Township at halftime before pulling away 41-21 for their first District championship. Twin Valley knocked off Wyomissing 28-6 at Bob Wolfrum Field in Week 8. It was the Raiders’ first win over the Spartans since 2009.

48 minutes. That’s what Twin Valley and Southern Lehigh have left. 48 minutes to decide who leaves Chapman Field with state gold. All of the hours in the weight room and all of the time spent running sprints will be poured into those 48 minutes. The PIAA-4A Final is set for 7pm on Thursday. I’ll have live updates from Cumberland Valley.