Bob Wolfrum-Wyomissing

In the second half at Kutztown University’s Andre Reed Stadium, Northwestern Lehigh looked like a team that was desperate to reach its first state final. The Tigers were a runaway freight train. They scored on all four of their possessions in the second half and beat Wyomissing 33-24 in the PIAA-3A semifinals. “They were very aggressive and, for whatever reason, we couldn’t block them a bit…We knew who to block, but we couldn’t get it done,” stated Spartans’ longtime head coach Bob Wolfrum. The District 11 champions improved to (15-0). It was their third appearance in the state semifinals and first since 2002. “They deserved it. They were much the better team,” admitted Wolfrum. Wyomissing struck first on Chase Eisenhower’s 23-yard touchdown run up the middle with four minutes left in the opening quarter. The Tigers responded three minutes later. Sophomore quarterback Shane Leh tossed a screen pass to Dalton Clymer who raced 25 yards for a score on fourth-and-seven. Clymer entered the night with 1,707 rushing yards and 29 TD this season. The 175-pound senior is also an outstanding wrestler. After Northwestern Lehigh punted from its own end zone, the Spartans had to go just 23 yards for a 14-7 lead. Logan Hyde found Ryker Jones for a 3-yard touchdown pass with five minutes remaining before halftime. Jones added 68 yards on nine carries. “Everything he does is 100 percent. That’s something you’d like to have with everybody,” said Wolfrum of Jones. Wyomissing then recovered a punt that hit Landen Matson, who was blocking, at the Tigers’ 25-yard line. Sophomore Keegan Maher made a 40-yard field goal with 59 seconds to go for a 17-7 advantage. The second half began with an interception by Eli Zimmerman at Northwestern Lehigh’s 27-yard line. It’s the tenth pick this year for the 5’7, 135-pound junior safety. Leh ran 26 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown that pulled the Tigers within 17-14. After the Spartans went three-and-out, Clymer gave Northwestern Lehigh its first lead on a 3-yard run out of the wildcat formation. It was 20-17 entering the fourth quarter. Wyomissing put together a patented Wing-T drive. The Spartans marched 79 yards over 17 plays. The possession took eight minutes and 23 seconds off the clock. The drive continued after a roughing the kicker penalty on a made 33-yard field goal by Maher. Holding and delay of game penalties pushed Wyomissing back, but Hyde scrambled for 18 yards on third down from the 19-yard line. Eisenhower barely got into the end zone on fourth down with 5:43 to play. His 1-yard touchdown put the Spartans back on top 24-20. The 215-pound sophomore fullback had 75 yards on 16 carries. The Tigers answered immediately by going 65 yards in less than three minutes. Leh connected with senior fullback Devon Hildebrand for 39 yards on a middle screen pass. On fourth-and-three from the 6-yard line, Hildebrand lined up at quarterback and followed Clymer into the end zone with 2:57 left. The Tigers regained the lead at 27-24. Wyomissing tried to hit some deep balls, but the passes fell incomplete and the Spartans turned it over on downs with two minutes remaining. Hyde ended up 7-of-18 for 66 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Clymer tacked on a 2-yard TD run with 1:21 to go for the final margin. He had 102 yards on 19 carries with three combined touchdowns. Leh was 7-of-14 for 110 yards and a score. The 6’1, 160-pound sophomore also ran for 66 yards and a touchdown. Northwestern Lehigh outgained Wyomissing 296-274. This was the Tigers’ closest game since a 28-21 victory at Blue Mountain in Week 3. They came into Friday averaging 45 points and 382 yards per game. The (12-2) Spartans were making their fourth consecutive appearance in the state semifinals. They claimed their fifth straight District 3 title this season. “When you’re deep in the playoffs, it’s always tough losing but unless you win the state championship, your last game is gonna be a loss,” said Wolfrum.