For the first time in Southern Lehigh School District history, the varsity football team advanced to the PIAA 4A state semifinals which took place on Friday, November 29, 2024. Though they lost the semifinal game to Bonner Prendergast High School, they ended their successful season with a record of 12-3, with their only regular season losses to Blue Mountain High School and Northwestern Lehigh High School, who went on to win the PIAA 3A state championship.
Sophomore quarterback and defensive back Colton Sams said that these successes were a direct result of the players’ dedication.
“It is due to all the work we put in the weight room and on the practice field,” said Sams.
To advance to the state playoffs, the team won the PIAA District XI 4A championship over Bethlehem Catholic, with a final score of 28-7. This accomplishment has only happened one other time in Southern Lehigh history, when the Spartans won the 5A district championship in 2019.
“One of the greatest memories from this past football season was the win versus Bethlehem Catholic to send our team to states,” said Sams. “It meant a lot to us and the team as we were finally able to bring a title back to Southern Lehigh.”
The Spartans then continued to the PIAA 4A quarterfinals, where they dominated Juniata High School with a final score of 45-7.
It was only upon reaching the state semifinal playoff, where Southern Lehigh faced “Bonner-Prendie,” that the team lost with a score of 26-55, finally ending their season. Their opponent, 2023 state quarterfinalist Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School went on to defeat Lampeter-Strasberg and win the PIAA 4A state championship on December 5th.
“We feel very accomplished,” said senior offensive tackle and defensive end Gijs Fooij, “especially after all our heartbreak the past years.”
Throughout this record-breaking season, all of the varsity football games have attracted an audience, bringing together the Southern Lehigh community as the team made history with their state semifinal run.
“I am very proud of where we have come from,” Fooij said. “We have worked really hard in the offseason, and every year before that; this just shows our hard work.”
With a 15-game season, this was a stand-out year for the team in general, but several individual players took the opportunity to break school records.
In just his sophomore year, Sams broke one school record with 2,999 passing yards, surpassing the record set in 2015 by Blake Levengood.
Junior running back and linebacker Sean Steckert earned 42 total touchdowns this year, and broke over 2000 rushing yards for the season, rivaling records set in 2019 by Asher Smith. The administration confirms that at least one of these sets a school record for a single season, and they are working to confirm the other. As a result of his achievements this fall, Steckert is now in line to break two school career records in his senior year, should he have another successful football season in 2025.
Senior Andrew Olesh finished his high school football career by setting two single-season school records, and, as far back as the Southern Lehigh administration can calculate, two career school records. In this season alone, he clinched 75 receptions and 1,105 receiving yards. Combined with his past seasons, he also broke school career records in these categories, totaling 156 career receptions and 2,354 career receiving yards. Ranked the No. 3 tight end in the nation, Olesh has signed to play with Penn State.
“I am really proud to be part of the best team in school history,” said senior quarterback Chris Fritts, who recalled losing the first six games his freshman year. “It is very special to us as a senior class because of all the adversity we have been through in the past four years.”
Football makes district history reaching state semifinals
About the Contributors
Kelcie Wagner, Sports and Entertainment Editor
Senior Kelcie Wagner is a 4th-year staff reporter and the Sports and Entertainment editor. She is spending her free time after school as part of the fall cheerleading team and the winter and spring Track and Field teams. She is also a member of the Varsity Club, Student Council, and Morgan’s Message. She also enjoys baking and watching movies and shows. In the future, she plans to attend Penn State University to study Criminal Justice or Cybersecurity.
Morgan Downing, Opinion and Features Editor
Senior Morgan Downing, current Opinion and Features editor, has been a crucial member of the Spotlight staff for the past four years. Outside the publication lab, Morgan is Southern Lehigh’s student representative for Lehigh Valley CareerLink, co-president of No Place For Hate, vice president of La Société Honoraire de Français, and an active member of the National Honor Society. She also enjoys tutoring her peers and volunteering for the Lehigh Valley Youth Council. In her spare time, Morgan loves exploring film photography, hiking, traveling, reading, and listening to music (especially on vinyl). Morgan is interested in the fields of English, economics, entrepreneurship, political science, and pre-law.
Gianna Cusumano, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Senior Gianna Cusumano is the current Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Spotlight, managing the website, social media, and News section. She has been a part of the Spotlight for all four years of high school. Outside of being involved in journalism, she is the co-president of Habitat for Humanity. She also participates in NHS, Athletic Leadership Council, and Class Officers. One of Gianna’s favorite things to do is swim competitively. She is on the SLHS swim team as well as a year-round club team. She loves watching movies and Netflix shows, writing feature articles, and reading. In the future, Gianna hopes to study politics, economics, and journalism at a four-year university.
Tessa Di Cesare, Our World Editor
Senior Tessa Di Cesare is a second year staff reporter and the new Our World editor. She is a member of the National Honors society, Operation Smile, and Athletes Against Hunger. Tessa is also an active teen counselor and spartan ambassador. After school hours, Tessa is a captain of the cross country team, and runs varsity winter and spring track and field. She also enjoys hiking, and watching her favorite show, GIilmore Girls. After high school, Tessa plans to attend college in New England, and pursue marketing.
Alexis Behrens, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Senior Alexis Behrens, Co-Editor-in-Chief and Center Spread editor, has been a part of The Spotlight for four years. Along with these responsibilities, she is a member of National Honors Society, Spartan Ambassadors, Teen Counselors, Scholastic Scrimmage, and Athletes Against Hunger. Outside of school, Alexis enjoys her time by traveling, paddleboarding, reading, and volunteering with her church. A dream destination of hers is Europe. Her favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo. After her time at Southern Lehigh High School, Alexis will study international relations with the goal of becoming a Foreign Service Officer.