Northwestern Lehigh head coach Josh Snyder texted quarterback Shane Leh on Saturday morning’s bus ride from New Tripoli to Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field expressing what it meant to coach the senior for the last four years.
“I told him how proud I am of the kid that he was when he walked in when he was in ninth grade and proud of the young man he is now leading the program,” Snyder said.
Snyder knows how impressive Leh’s stats were. The 6-foot-1, 187-pounder leaves Northwestern Lehigh behind only Deven Bollinger in career passing yards and touchdowns.
But the head coach will remember much more about Leh than his statistics. It is his growth as a person and leader for the Tigers who finished a four-year run with a 57-5 record, best by any District 11 senior class in the PIAA playoff era.
“He can hold a heck of a conversation with an adult,” Snyder said. “He’s well-spoken. He can read my mind in practice, verbalize what he likes and doesn’t like.
“I’m so proud of that kid,” he said. “The head coach and offensive coordinator and the quarterback have a pretty special bond. Ours is pretty cool, pretty light. We can jab each other back and forth. It’s been a real treat coaching Shane for the last four years.”
Snyder will have a difficult time saying goodbye to the 12 seniors who took the Northwestern Lehigh program to new heights.
The Tigers won 31 consecutive games before Saturday’s loss to Avonworth in the PIAA Class 3A championship game. They have won four District 11 3A titles in a row and reached the last three 3A state finals, something never done before by a District 11 team in any classification.
Mason Bollinger, who shared the quarterbacking duties with Leh for the first month of their sophomore seasons before moving to wide receiver, leaves as the program’s career leader in receptions and receiving yards.
Shane Hulmes finished this season with 165 tackles, most among anyone from the area’s 17 Colonial-Schuylkill League teams. He closes out a four-year career as the program’s leader in career tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles. He forced his seventh fumble in Saturday’s state final.
Braxton Lakatosh led a group of five first-year starters as seniors with a team-high 1,404 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. M.J Boring, Braidon Berk, Evan Wagstaff and Kemurry Morgan were the other seniors who started for the first time in 2025.
Lakatosh also was second only to Hulmes among area league tacklers with 130, including 8.5 for loss (4.5 sacks), plus two interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown).
Snyder is proud of them all for not just what they accomplished on the field, but what they did as leaders in various capacities and their commitment to the program.
“I think maybe the win streak might be even more impressive than anything else,” he said. “Thirty-one straight wins? That’s tough to do without having a letdown and having a target on your back each and every game. For these kids to not overlook anybody and try to play your best game every week is tough. But these kids are different.
“These kids are a special group,” he said. “The way these seniors were focused, down to earth, coachable, likeable, there wasn’t a single day that I thought it was tough to go to practice. It was easy to go to practice because of the type of kids we have. That senior group definitely left their legacy.”
The cupboard is not bare. The expectations will not change. But who does Northwestern Lehigh turn to next season?
The Tigers return five offensive starters, including three on the offensive line (Nolan Koehler, Devin Rex and Maddox Hurdle), plus sophomore Chase Sukanick, who ran for nearly 1,000 yards as the second option behind Lakatosh.
Brady Zimmerman and Michael Lagowy are the two best returning skill players.
Who starts at quarterback will be the biggest question. Sukanick was the backup last year before taking on a different role in 2025. Freshman Trey Snyder, the coach’s son, served as the quarterback this season in mop-up duty.
Northwestern Lehigh’s 18 postseason games in the last three seasons will prove invaluable to all the backups who received that many extra weeks of practice and snaps in games in which the Tigers were comfortably ahead. That happened plenty, including this year when they set a program record for points scored (692).
The Tigers return four defensive starters: Lagowy and Zimmerman plus linemen Fritz Scheirer and Hurdle. Sukanick and Rex also saw time on defense.
The challenge that starts soon is establishing the leadership group that will guide the program through the offseason, summer and preseason workouts.
Lagowy and Zimmerman will need to be among them based on their roles and experience.
“I’m going to have to step up as a leader, as a teammate,” Lagowy said. “I’ve got to be the best leader I can be.”
Snyder is confident next year’s team will do what it takes to continue the incredible run the program is on.
“I hope [next year’s leaders] do what these [seniors] did when they were freshmen,” he said, “pay attention, see how it’s done, model after what’s been done before you that’s been successful, and that’s relentless effort in and out of the football program, the weight room and taking academics seriously.
“They should always try to do the right thing,” he said. “When you wear a Northwestern football jersey, you’re automatically somebody’s role model. Our youth program idolizes our football players at the high school level, so they immediately have to act the part. I think these seniors did that. The young guys have to try to emulate that.”
Through the tears Saturday, the seniors leave knowing they accomplished something special together. They valued each other as teammates and friends.
The dozen seniors recognize that they were rewarded for their effort and commitment to the program and one another with more than just trophies and gold medals. They will carry relationships that will last a lifetime.
“It’s a family of brotherhood here,” Bollinger said. “In the field, in the classroom, playing video games. Whatever it is, we always had a great team bond. They’ve always been my boys since NYA all the way up.”
“I would not want to do this with any other group of guys,” Leh added. “I’m so proud of the coaching staff and all my teammates and everyone involved with Northwestern Tiger football. It’s been a great four years, and I’m proud of what we did here.”
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
Colonial-Schuylkill League football season stat leaders
(among 17 Morning Call area teams)
RUSHING
Pos. Player, Team; Att.; Yards; Avg.; TDs
1. Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh; 386; 3,212; 8.3; 45
2. Terrence McDowell, Tamaqua; 315; 1,740; 5.5; 19
3. Braxton Lakatosh, Northwestern Lehigh; 140; 1,404; 10.0; 17
4. Lucas Croizier, Lehighton; 195; 1,130; 5.8; 9
5. Rory Dixon, Marian Catholic; 193; 1,023; 5.3; 15
6. Brody Breiner, Panther Valley; 157; 1,003; 6.4; 10
7. Chase Sukanick, Northwestern Lehigh; 117; 924; 7.9; 13
8. Tray Dunn, Catasauqua; 141; 847; 6.0; 8
9. Caiden Faust, Pen Argyl; 171; 742; 4.3; 10
10. Grady Newhard, Northern Lehigh; 154; 667; 4.3; 10
11. Cole Lazorick, Jim Thorpe; 115; 606; 5.3; 6
12. Mason Soos, Pen Argyl; 135; 569; 4.2; 4
13. Braden Rohn, Saucon Valley; 147; 530; 3.6; 13
14. J’son Johnson, Wilson; 121; 528; 4.4; 4
15. Max Woerner, Palisades; 72; 524; 7.3; 7
16. Chris Frame, Northern Lehigh; 67; 496; 7.4; 9
17. Keaton Frye, Salisbury; 66; 490; 7.4; 5
18. Ryan Bonham, Wilson; 184; 479; 3.7; 5
19. Garrett Smoyer, Northern Lehigh; 145; 474; 3.3; 7
20. Vince Taglieri, Palmerton; 89; 473; 5.3; 4
21. Taylor Rohn, Saucon Valley; 77; 461; 6.0; 6
22. Jack Trickel, Palisades; 96; 454; 4.7; 9
23. Ashton Fitzgerald, Palisades; 61; 439; 7.2; 5
24. Michael Garey, Palmerton; 90; 420; 4.7; 5
25. Jonathan Striba, Notre Dame-GP; 59; 419; 7.1; 10
PASSING
Pos. Player, Team; Comp.; Att.; Yards; INTs; TDs
1. Matt Bodnar, Notre Dame-GP; 184; 274; 3,037; 5; 37
2. Colton Sams, Southern Lehigh; 190; 253; 2,688; 6; 36
3. Shane Leh, Northwestern Lehigh; 160; 234; 2,660; 3; 31
4. Jack Trickell, Palisades; 142; 229; 2,062; 6; 21
5. Mason Soos, Pen Argyl; 146; 237; 1,814; 9; 16
6. Braden Rohn, Saucon Valley; 130; 213; 1,765; 11; 13
7. Garrett Smoyer, Northern Lehigh; 127; 220; 1,729; 10; 17
8. Cole Lazorick, Jim Thorpe; 117; 229; 1,721; 11; 16
9. Jayse Lawrence, Lehighton; 112; 201; 1,471; 7; 18
10. Brody Breiner, Panther Valley; 145; 239; 1,406; 8; 10
11. Lincoln Rehrig, Bangor; 80; 147; 1,031; 5; 5
12. Greg Tirpak, Marian Catholic; 57; 100; 941; 8; 6
13. Jaxson Tadayesky, Wilson; 72; 153; 690; 14; 0
14. Chase Serfass, Tamaqua; 61; 128; 688; 6; 4
15. T.K. Gursky, Palmerton; 62; 104; 666; 7; 7
16. Aiden Reilly, Catasauqua; 45; 111; 600; 8; 3
17. Keaton Frye, Salisbury; 36; 81; 544; 9; 7
18. T.J. Weller, Palmerton; 41; 74; 379; 8; 1
RECEIVING
Pos. Player, Team; Catches; Yards; Avg.; TDs
1. Thomas Cahill, Saucon Valley; 69; 946; 13.7; 8
2. Lincoln Cook, Palisades; 68; 1,088; 16.0; 10
3. Gavin Yuricheck, Panther Valley; 57; 573; 10.1; 5
4. Chase McArdle, Panther Valley; 54; 455; 8.4; 2
5. Luke Kawczenski, Southern Lehigh; 52; 714; 13.7; 7
6. Darius Roman, Southern Lehigh; 51; 731; 14.3; 9
7. Michael Lagowy, Northwestern Lehigh; 48; 704; 14.7; 7
8. Jonathan Striba, Notre Dame-GP; 46; 770; 16.7; 7
9. Brady Zimmerman, Northwestern Lehigh; 45; 956; 21.2; 11
10. Mason Bollinger, Northwestern Lehigh; 43; 595; 13.8; 6
11. Terrell Estes, Pen Argyl; 43; 402; 9.3; 1
12. Drew Boyd, Notre Dame-GP; 41; 780; 19.0; 7
13. Ryan Zambo, Northern Lehigh; 37; 370; 10.0; 4
14. Blake Roberts, Lehighton; 37; 353; 9.5; 4
15. Vince Taglieri, Palmerton; 36; 337; 9.4; 1
16. Colin Karetsky, Northern Lehigh; 35; 579; 16.5; 8
17. Caden Meek, Lehighton; 33; 575; 17.4; 7
18. Bobby Levins, Jim Thorpe; 32; 389; 12.2; 6
19. Otto Young, Southern Lehigh; 31; 642; 20.7; 10
20. Anthony Beltran, Pen Argyl; 31; 374; 12.1; 2
21. Manny Bolmer, Catasauqua; 31; 337; 10.9; 2
22. Zach Metzgar, Pen Argyl; 29; 510; 17.6; 4
23. Caiden Faust, Pen Argyl; 27; 333; 12.3; 5
24. Chris Frame, Northern Lehigh; 26; 450; 17.3; 4
25. Ben Negley, Palmerton; 26; 320; 12.3; 4
26. Taylor Rohn, Saucon Valley; 26; 359; 13.8; 2
27. Kyden Hauser, Lehighton; 26; 295; 11.3; 2
SCORING
Pos. Player, Team; TDs; 2-pters; PATs; FGs; Total points
*1. Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh; 46; 3; 0; 0; 284
2. Chase Sukanick, Northwestern Lehigh; 13; 1; 78; 0; 158
3. Brady Zimmerman, Northwestern Lehigh; 20; 2; 0; 0; 124
3. Terrence McDowell, Tamaqua; 19; 5; 0; 0; 124
6. Braxton Lakatosh, Northwestern Lehigh; 19; 0; 0; 0; 114
5. Jonathan Striba, Notre Dame-GP; 19; 0; 0; 0; 114
7. Rory Dixon, Marian Catholic; 17; 0; 0; 0; 102
8. Caiden Faust, Pen Argyl; 16; 1; 0; 0; 98
9. Clemente Cintron, Notre Dame-GP; 4; 1; 62; 3; 97
10. Mason Bollinger, Northwestern Lehigh; 14; 0; 0; 0; 84
10. Shane Hulmes, Northwestern Lehigh; 13; 3; 0; 0; 84
12. Chris Frame, Northern Lehigh; 13; 1; 0; 0; 80
13. Braden Rohn, Saucon Valley; 13; 0; 0; 0; 78
14. Lincoln Cook, Palisades; 12; 1; 0; 0; 74
15. Alex Clark, Notre Dame-GP; 11; 0; 0; 0; 66
16. Grady Newhard, Northern Lehigh; 10; 1; 0; 0; 62
17. Brody Breiner, Panther Valley; 10; 0; 0; 0; 60
17. Darius Roman, Southern Lehigh; 10; 0; 0; 0; 60
17. Otto Young, Southern Lehigh; 10; 0; 0; 0; 60
20. Lucas Croizier, Lehighton; 9; 1; 0; 0; 56
21. Bobby Levins, Jim Thorpe; 9; 0; 0; 0; 54
21. Drew Boyd, Notre Dame-GP; 9; 0; 0; 0; 54
21. Jack Trickel, Palisades; 9; 0; 0; 0; 54
24. Jake Tom, Marian Catholic; 7; 0; 11; 0; 53
25. Thomas Cahill, Saucon Valley; 8; 2; 0; 0; 52
*point total includes a safety
TACKLES
Pos. Player, Team; Tackles
1. Shane Hulmes, Northwestern Lehigh; 165
2. Braxton Lakatosh, Northwestern Lehigh; 130
3. Jah Bushati, Marian Catholic; 125
4. Max Woerner, Palisades; 109
4. Taylor Rohn, Saucon Valley; 109
6. Jacoby Jacobs, Southern Lehigh; 106
7. Rocco DeCesare, Pen Argyl; 103
7. Dariuz Lightner, Southern Lehigh; 103
9. Fritz Scheirer, Northwestern Lehigh; 102
9. Brady Zimmerman, Northwestern Lehigh; 102
11. Silas Day, Palisades: 100
11. Hunter Hill, Saucon Valley; 100
11. Eli Szlachtianshyn, Saucon Valley; 100
11. Damian Rodino, Marian Catholic; 100
11. Tyler Price, Marian Catholic; 100
16. Kalet Wilson, Notre Dame-GP; 98
17. Bill Slattery, Northern Lehigh; 91
17. Evan Wagstaff, Northwestern Lehigh; 91
19. Chase Smith, Palisades: 89
20. Peter Kruslicky, Panther Valley; 88
21. John Hull, Notre Dame-GP; 86
22. M.J. Boring, Northwestern Lehigh; 84
23. Dominick Rodino, Marian Catholic; 83
24. Faustie Capobianco, Notre Dame-GP; 82
24. Luke Frohnheiser, Tamaqua; 82
TACKLES FOR LOSS
Pos. Player, Team; Tackles
1. Bill Slattery, Northern Lehigh; 19
2. Shane Hulmes, Northwestern Lehigh; 17.5
3. Marco Tessitore, Panther Valley; 17
4. Garrett Grants, Notre Dame-GP; 15
4. Luke Frohnheiser, Tamaqua; 15
6. M.J. Boring, Northwestern Lehigh; 14.5
7. Fritz Scheirer, Northwestern Lehigh; 14
8. Jason Ashfield, Marian Catholic; 13
9. Damian Rodino, Marian Catholic; 12.5
10. Kaden Quinones, Northern Lehigh; 12
10. Logan Anthony, Palmerton; 12
10. Peter Kruslicky, Panther Valley; 12
10. Dylan Gretz, Southern Lehigh; 12
10. Dariuz Lightner, Southern Lehigh; 12
16. Faustie Capobianco, Notre Dame-GP; 11
16. Austin Casale, Notre Dame-GP; 11
16. Silas Day, Palisades; 11
16. Brady McCabe, Tamaqua; 11
16. Teegen Phillips, Tamaqua; 11
21. Dominic Kiehl, Jim Thorpe; 10.5
21. Jah Bushati, Marian Catholic; 10.5
21. Tyler Price, Marian Catholic; 10.5
24. Nick Faust, Jim Thorpe; 10
24. Dominic Rodino, Marian Catholic; 10
24. Josh Scherer, Notre Dame-GP; 10
24. Kalet Wilson, Notre Dame-GP; 10
24. Carlos Maldanado, Panther Valley; 10
SACKS
Pos. Player, Team; Sacks
1. Shane Hulmes, Northwestern Lehigh; 7.5
1. Dylan Gretz, Southern Lehigh; 7.5
3. Bill Slattery, Northern Lehigh; 7
3. Fritz Scheirer, Northwestern Lehigh; 7
5. Garrett Grants, Notre Dame-GP; 6
6. M.J. Boring, Northwestern Lehigh; 5.5
7. Ethan Steigerwalt, Northwestern Lehigh; 5
8. Braxton Lakatosh, Northwestern Lehigh; 4.5
8. Michael Garey, Palmerton; 4.5
10. Joziah Martinez, Catasauqua; 4
10. Evan Wagstaff, Northwestern Lehigh; 4
10. Giancarlo Guadagnino, Notre Dame-GP; 4
10. Max Woerner, Palisades; 4
10. Jadan Claudio, Salisbury; 4
10. Teegen Phillips, Tamaqua; 4
10. Carter Troutman, Tamaqua; 4
17. Tyler Scholato, Bangor; 3
17. Dominick Rodino, Marian Catholic; 3
17. Austin Casal, Notre Dame-GP; 3
17. Rocco DeCesare, Pen Argyl; 3
17. Joe Petersen, Saucon Valley; 3
17. Carter Giberson, Southern Lehigh; 3
17. Tanner Traub, Southern Lehigh; 3
24. Dariuz Lightner, Southern Lehigh; 2.5
25. Chris Wellington, Catasauqua; 2
25. Jah Bushati, Marian Catholic; 2
25. Gavin Baker, Jim Thorpe; 2
25. Chase Gall, Northern Lehigh; 2
25. Kaden Quinones, Northern Lehigh; 2
25. Brady Zimmerman, Northwestern Lehigh; 2
25. Brett Bruckman, Notre Dame-GP; 2
25. Sammy Morici, Notre Dame-GP; 2
25. Silas Day, Palisades; 2
25. William Kapp, Palisades; 2
25. Dillon Anthony, Palmerton; 2
25. Cooper Henry, Palmerton; 2
25. Peter Kruslicky, Panther Valley; 2
25. Jamie Accatino, Pen Argyl; 2
25. Grayson Gnall, Salisbury; 2
25. Hunter Hill, Saucon Valley; 2
25. Nick Sheasley, Saucon Valley; 2
25. Eli Szlachtianshyn, Saucon Valley; 2
25. Luke Frohnheiser, Tamaqua; 2
INTERCEPTIONS
Pos. Player, Team; INTs
1. Chris Frame, Northern Lehigh; 7
2. Michael Lagowy, Northwestern Lehigh; 6
3. Rory Dixon, Marian Catholic; 5
3. Tyler Price, Marian Catholic; 5
3. Drew Boyd, Notre Dame-GP; 5
3. Jack Trickel, Palisades; 5
3. Alex Keiper, Palmerton; 5
8. Jack Pavis, Southern Lehigh; 5
8. Colin Karetsky, Northern Lehigh; 4
8. Shane Leh, Northwestern Lehigh; 4
8. Zak Ziegler, Saucon Valley; 4
8. Dariuz Lightner, Southern Lehigh; 4
13. Manny Bolmer, Catasauqua; 3
13. Dante Tate, Marian Catholic; 3
13. Jake Tom, Marian Catholic; 3
13. Jackson Wallace, Notre Dame-GP; 3
13. Lincoln Cook, Palisades; 3
13. A.J. Moren, Salisbury; 3
13. Jadiel Gonzalez, Salisbury; 3
13. Adam Fritts, Southern Lehigh; 3
13. Brady McCabe, Tamaqua; 3
22. Spencer Gothard, Jim Thorpe; 2
22. Caden Meek, Lehighton; 2
22. Braxton Lakatosh, Northwestern Lehigh; 2
22. Aaron Gordon, Notre Dame-GP; 2
22. Nyechay Lawless, Notre Dame-GP; 2
22. Ashton Fitzgerald, Palisades; 2
22. Ben Baneravage, Panther Valley; 2
22. Chris Crespo, Pen Argyl; 2
22. Caiden Faust, Pen Argyl; 2
22. Jaylen Caballero, Saucon Valley; 2
22. Hunter Hill, Saucon Valley; 2
22. Taylor Rohn, Saucon Valley; 2
22. Parker Skoda, Saucon Valley; 2
22. Jacoby Jacobs, Southern Lehigh; 2
22. Leonard Davis, Wilson; 2
22. Connor Patterson, Wilson; 2
FUMBLE RECOVERIES
Pos. Player, Team; Fumble recoveries
1. Ace Schickram, Tamaqua; 4
2. Dominick Rodino, Marian Catholic; 3
2. Paul Porobenski, Northern Lehigh; 3
2. Carter Kilhefner, Palisades; 3
2. Sahalay Hernandez, Saucon Valley; 3
2. Marvin Cordon, Wilson; 3
7. Jah Bushati, Marian Catholic; 2
7. Ryan Zambo, Northern Lehigh; 2
7. Mason Bollinger, Northwestern Lehigh; 2
7. M.J. Boring, Northwestern Lehigh; 2
7. Jack Trickel, Palisades; 2
7. Logan Anthony, Palmerton; 2
7. Michael Garey, Palmerton; 2
7. Alex Keiper, Palmerton; 2
7. Peter Kruslicky, Panther Valley; 2
7. Marco Tessitore, Panther Valley; 2
7. Jamie Accatino, Pen Argyl; 2
7. Rocco DeCesare, Pen Argyl; 2
7. Brady McCabe, Tamaqua; 2
TURNOVER RATIO
Pos. Team; TO caused; TO committed; TO ratio
1. Southern Lehigh; 24; 9; plus-15
2. Northwestern Lehigh; 29; 15; plus-14
3. Marian Catholic; 29; 16; plus-13
4. Palisades; 21 11; plus-10
5. Northern Lehigh; 23; 16; plus-7
5. Notre Dame-GP; 21; 14; plus-7
5. Saucon Valley; 22; 15; plus-7
8. Catasauqua; 17; 15; plus-2
8. Jim Thorpe; 14; 12; plus-2
10. Tamaqua; 14; 14; even
11. Lehighton; 8; 10; minus-2
12. Palmerton; 17; 20; minus-3
12. Panther Valley; 10; 13; minus-3
14. Pen Argyl; 12; 18; minus-6
15. Bangor; 5; 14; minus-9
16. Wilson 12; 24; minus-12
17. Salisbury; 8; 26; minus-18
