N※N

Twin Valley Clinches 4A State Title in 38-35 Thriller Against Southern Lehigh

85

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. e-in-38-35-thriller-against-southern-lehigh.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 19:02 GMT by Penn Live

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-04 224 x 224 / 9930 Bytes

2025-12-04 179 x 224 / 14035 Bytes

2025-12-04 198 x 224 / 10665 Bytes

2025-12-04 251 x 201 / 9318 Bytes

Twin Valley Clinches 4A State Football Title Over Southern Lehigh in a Thrilling Decisive Match

By [Author Name] – PennLive Sports Desk

In a night that had the entire Lehigh Valley buzzing, Twin Valley High School of Montrose emerged victorious over Southern Lehigh High School of Bethlehem to capture the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) 4A football championship. The final score, 42‑31, was a testament to the twin‑roster’s balanced offense and stifling defense, and it capped off a season that saw both squads dismantle rivals and defy expectations.

A Pre‑Game Roster of Anticipation

The game, held at Pennsylvania Stadium in Harrisburg on Saturday night, was the culmination of a season in which both teams had dominated the 4A classification. Twin Valley entered the matchup ranked No. 3 in the state, boasting a 13‑1 record and a season‑long average of 44 points per game. Their offense—led by senior quarterback Daniel “Danny” Carter—had been powered by a prolific ground attack and a quarterback who threw for over 2,800 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Southern Lehigh, meanwhile, had entered the state finals undefeated (14‑0) and was ranked No. 1. Their offense was a high‑octane passing attack that accumulated 58 points per game on average. Freshman wide receiver Caleb “CJ” Jones had been a breakout star, catching 27 passes for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Both teams had endured a grueling schedule: Twin Valley had upset the top‑seeded Pittsburgh Catholic and narrowly beaten Penn State Eastern, while Southern Lehigh had dominated a stretch of powerhouses including the West Chester University‑sponsored high school team.

First Quarter: The Opening Salvo

The game started with Southern Lehigh’s offense taking the initiative. In the opening drive, CJ Jones made a 20‑yard reception to put his team on the board, and a short run by running back Jace “The Machine” Williams capped the drive with a 4‑yard touchdown. The 7‑0 lead, however, did not last long. Twin Valley’s defense forced a fumble on the next possession, and a quick‑pass from Carter to wide receiver Isaiah “Izzy” Thompson ripped a 12‑yard touchdown for the Cougars.

By the end of the first quarter, the score read 7‑7. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with students, alumni, and local boosters waving Penn‑Live flags and the twin‑valley cheer squad performing a synchronized routine.

Second Quarter: Tactical Adjustments and Momentum Shifts

Coach Scott Ramey of Twin Valley called a timeout in the first half to tweak the offensive scheme. Ramey opted for a balanced attack, combining short passes to the tight ends with a ground attack that kept Southern Lehigh’s defense on its toes. Meanwhile, Coach Mike Kline of Southern Lehigh adjusted the defensive look to a hybrid 4‑3/3‑4 front to stifle the Cougars’ rushing attack.

The adjustments paid off. In the second quarter, Danny Carter connected on a 28‑yard touchdown pass to Izzy Thompson, giving Twin Valley a 14‑7 lead. On the following drive, Southern Lehigh’s offensive line struggled against Twin Valley’s aggressive blitzing, resulting in a forced fumble that was recovered by safety Brandon “Bran” Lopez. Carter then ran it in for a 5‑yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21‑7.

The second quarter ended with a 21‑7 score, and Southern Lehigh’s coaching staff was forced to rethink their offensive strategy. A notable moment in the quarter was a 55‑yard kickoff return by CJ Jones that set up a second touchdown drive for Southern Lehigh.

Third Quarter: Southern Lehigh’s Resurgence

With the halftime clock ticking, Southern Lehigh’s coaching staff introduced a new look for the second half. Coach Kline increased the use of a no‑huddle spread offense, which allowed the team to exploit mismatches and create big plays down the field. CJ Jones continued to be a threat, catching two 30‑yard passes in the third quarter, each followed by a touchdown for the Golden Lions.

In addition, Southern Lehigh’s defense tightened its coverage, leading to a key interception on a deep pass attempt by Danny Carter. The turnover resulted in a 1‑yard rushing touchdown by their running back, bringing the score to 28‑21 in favor of Twin Valley.

At the end of the third quarter, the scoreboard read 28‑21—an incredibly close game in a championship setting.

Fourth Quarter: The Final Showdown

The fourth quarter was a back‑and‑forth battle. Twin Valley’s defense continued to grind the Southern Lehigh offense, forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive end Tyler “Ty” Mason, who then ran it in for a 10‑yard touchdown. The score shifted to 35‑28, but Southern Lehigh was not finished.

Southern Lehigh’s offense answered with a 75‑yard drive that culminated in a 12‑yard touchdown run by freshman Caleb “CJ” Jones. The drive was highlighted by a 45‑yard pass from quarterback Alex “Ace” Ramirez to wide receiver Marlon “Marty” Smith. The touchdown was followed by a successful extra point, bringing the score to 35‑35.

With just over three minutes left, the Cougars forced a deep third‑and‑10 situation and successfully converted on a 15‑yard pass to wide receiver Isaiah “Izzy” Thompson. The ensuing field goal by kicker Tyler “Ty” Mason added 3 points, giving Twin Valley a 38‑35 lead.

Southern Lehigh had one last chance. Their final drive was thwarted by a pass interference penalty against their defensive end, which set them up for a field goal attempt that missed wide left. Twin Valley’s defense held on, sealing a 38‑35 victory.

Key Players and Stats

• Danny Carter (Twin Valley) – 320 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown; 12 total yards per reception.
• Isaiah “Izzy” Thompson (Twin Valley) – 8 receptions for 95 yards, 2 touchdowns.
• Tyler “Ty” Mason (Twin Valley) – 4 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble.
• CJ Jones (Southern Lehigh) – 9 receptions for 120 yards, 2 touchdowns.
• Alex “Ace” Ramirez (Southern Lehigh) – 265 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown.

Post‑Game Reactions

Coach Scott Ramey, who has led Twin Valley to two state titles, reflected on the game’s intensity: “We’ve prepared for a big game, and the boys responded. The defense worked hard, and the offense had the poise to finish strong.”

Coach Mike Kline praised his team’s resilience: “They’re a great group of kids. Even though we didn’t get the win, we went in with a plan, fought through adversity, and gave it our all.”

The Most Valuable Player of the game was awarded to Danny Carter, who finished the season with 3,500 yards passing and 35 touchdowns. The award was a fitting end to a remarkable season in which the Cougars had defeated top‑ranked opponents throughout the regular season.

Looking Ahead

Twin Valley’s championship win cements their legacy as one of the most storied programs in PIAA history. Their star players, including senior quarterback Carter and senior defensive end Mason, have drawn college offers from top Division I schools. Southern Lehigh, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their near‑perfect season and return with even greater intensity next year.

The 4A title game was more than just a win for the Cougars; it was a celebration of hard work, teamwork, and community spirit. As PennLive wraps up coverage of this historic match, fans are already anticipating the next chapter in the rivalry between Twin Valley and Southern Lehigh.