The 2012 Southern Lehigh High School varsity football team got off to a slow start this season, losing their first three games, despite the fact they were picked to win the league championship in several pre-season polls published by local newspapers.
In their season opener, Southern Lehigh faced the Northern Lehigh Bulldogs, losing 33-7.The following week, The Catasauqua Rough Riders handed the Spartans their second loss of the season, 49-8. The Spartans then fell against the Bangor Slaters, 41-14, the following week.
“I do not feel good about the struggling start of the season,” Coach Steve Schrader said, “Whenever we are involved in something competitive it does not feel good to lose. Our team needs to compete with a better mental attitude going into the game.”
On September 21st, the week after Bangor, the Spartans played against the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers. The Spartans had their first win of the season when they creamed the Tigers 46-10. That night, the team went from being dominated to a team that now dominates.
At Southern Lehigh’s Homecoming game, in a shocking upset, the Spartans defeated the previously undefeated Pen Argyl Green Knights 28-20 in their homecoming game. With under a minute to go, Travis Edmond intercepted a pass on the goal line to clinch the win for the Spartans.
The Spartans hope to continue their winning trend.
“If our team continues to work hard within our system and continues to improve upon their talent then the season will take care of itself,” Schrader said with a positive attitude.