Twin Valley got off to a fast start. Drew Engle ripped off a 39-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. Lucas Myers, Brett’s son, went untouched up the middle for a 20-yard touchdown just two minutes into the game. Southern Lehigh responded quickly with an 80-yard drive that took less than three minutes. Steckert followed up his 46-yard run with an 11-yard score to make it 7-7. The Raiders’ 21-yard field goal attempt on the ensuing possession was no good after a low snap bounced back to the holder. Freshman Declan Walsh converted the first field goal of the Spartans’ season for a 10-7 edge. The 24-yard kick came with 3:17 left in the second quarter. Sophomore Maverik Foster then hit Dominic Summers over the top of Southern Lehigh’s defense for a 64-yard touchdown pass. Once again, the Spartans had an answer. On fourth-and-1 with 25 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Steckert bounced outside and raced 27 yards down the left sideline for a score. The District 11 champs were in front 17-14 at halftime.

On the first series of the second half, Colton Sams found Otto Young down the left seam for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Sophomore Adam Fritts then picked off Foster, setting up Southern Lehigh at Twin Valley’s 31-yard line. A 6-yard run by Steckert put the Spartans on top 30-14 midway through the third quarter. Engle capped a 65-yard drive by the Raiders with a 4-yard touchdown run. Twin Valley opted not to try a 2-point conversion and trailed 30-21 with 2:44 to go in the third period.

One of the pivotal plays of the night came early in the fourth quarter with Southern Lehigh facing a fourth-and-6 at the Raiders’ 43-yard line. Sams had plenty of time to throw and connected with Luke Kawczenski over the middle for a 12-yard gain to move the chains. Sams, the son of head coach Phil Sams, fired a slant to Young moments later for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Although the 2-point conversion was stuffed, Southern Lehigh had extended its advantage to 36-21 with 10:21 to play. Twin Valley decided to punt on fourth-and-11 near midfield with eight minutes left. The Spartans marched down the field, but Ben Grundy turned them away with an interception in the end zone with 4:45 remaining. Fritts, however, came up with his second pick on the very next play. Steckert polished off a short 13-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with 2:06 on the clock. On the ensuing series, sophomore safety Jack Pavis made his team-high fifth interception.

After going 4-of-4 for 90 yards in the first half, Foster was 0-for-6 in the second half with 3 INT. He had not thrown a pick in the Raiders’ first 14 games. Engle ran 22 times for 175 yards. The Army Lacrosse commit finished with 2,095 rushing yards this season and 4,211 in his career. Those totals are both school records. He also holds the program record with 61 career touchdowns. “Drew is special. The way he competed tonight is special. He’s a great kid and he’s a leader,” noted Myers. Twin Valley had 325 total yards including 235 on the ground. Lucas Myers, a 215-pound junior, provided 52 yards on 11 carries.

Sams went 13-of-18 for 145 yards. The 5’11, 169-pound junior already owns the all-time records for passing yards and touchdown passes at Southern Lehigh. Sams threw for 2,688 yards and 36 TD this year. He and Steckert were All-State selections a season ago in Class 4A. Young had three catches for 79 yards and two scores against the Raiders. Kawczenski chipped in with six receptions for 48 yards. The Spartans’ offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage. That group includes 6’4, 336-pound senior Carter Giberson who’s committed to Albany.

When the pain of this loss subsides, Twin Valley will look back at a lot of special memories. The Raiders established a school record with 14 wins. They knocked off Wyomissing and Lampeter-Strasburg in back-to-back weeks to claim the Section 4 title in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. They defeated top-seeded Susquehanna Township 41-21 for their first District 3 crown. Twin Valley held off five-time state champion Aliquippa 28-24 in the PIAA-4A semifinals. The Raiders averaged 48.7 ppg. during the historic 2025 campaign. “Twin Valley is a special place, special families. It’s a special school. If I was a young person looking for a place to raise my kids, I’d be moving to Twin Valley because it’s a great place,” said Myers.

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.