Saucon Valley returns to title game

Csicsek gains 260 yards, scores 5 TDs as Panthers beat Northwestern 42-21.

Two of the most dominant forces in Colonial League and District 11 football this season have been Notre Dame quarterback Cole DeFranco and Saucon Valley running back Ian Csicsek.

On Saturday afternoon, DeFranco was shut down in a 36-0 loss to North Schuylkill in a game that baffled just about everyone except the Spartans team and fans.

But Saturday night in Lower Saucon Township, there was no mystery and no stopping Csicsek.

Csicsek, District 11’s leading rusher and scorer, put on another memorable show in his final game at Montford E. Illick Stadium.

He ran for 260 yards on 37 carries and five touchdowns and added a two-point conversion as the Tigers avenged a 42-28 loss to Northwestern Lehigh with a 42-21 victory over the Tigers in the District 11 4A semifinals.

The win puts Saucon (10-2) in a district final for the fifth straight year and for the fourth time they will face Bethlehem Catholic in the championship game.

It is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Nazareth’s Andy Leh Stadium. Becahi won last year’s title game, 42-7, at the same venue.

Becahi has won three of its last four district meetings with the Panthers and will be favored again, but will have to find a way to stop a big, experienced and powerful Saucon offensive line and Csicsek.

Northwestern had leads of 7-0 and 14-7 on two Deven Bollinger TD passes, but couldn’t sustain its early momentum or stop Csicsek, who has scored 39 touchdowns (37 on the ground) and has 2,764 yards rushing.

“We wanted it; the whole team wanted it so bad,” Csicsek said. “Even before the game, we said we’re not going to be stopped. We wanted it more than them.”

Last Colonial League team standing

In a happy postgame huddle on the field, longtime Saucon assistant Ed Chromczak noted that the Panthers were the last Colonial League member standing after Notre Dame’s loss.

And Saucon is standing tall behind its big O-line anchored by tackle Tim Weaver, a Division I recruit listed at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds.

“They kept running to Weaver’s side and I would too because he’s a heck of a football player,” Northwestern coach Josh Snyder said. “We had trouble stopping them.”

Northwestern did about as well as anyone could against Csicsek when they met on Oct. 12. He was limited to 139 yards on 21 carries as the Tigers seized a 21-7 lead and forced Saucon into catchup mode.

This time, however, the Panthers caught up and kept going.

“They played a tremendous game over there,” Northwestern coach Josh Snyder said. “Hats off to them. They’re in their fifth straight district final for a reason. They’re well-coached, they’re disciplined and they do what they do really well. They’re a good representative for our league in the 4A championship game.”

Csicsek says

Csicsek had some good moments last season, but burst on to the scene this year as one of the premier backs in local football.

He has done it by working hard and staying humble.

“I can’t do it without my line, without fullback Christian Alling, I couldn’t do it without anyone,” he said. “We have some other great running backs and they had some big plays tonight, too. It’s been great. It’s been my dream to do this.”

Taming the Tigers

Northwestern had 489 yards of offense in its previous win over Saucon but was outgained 450-255 this time.

“We got out of whack in the second quarter and never could get it back,” Snyder said. “They made some changes and gave us some different fronts and changed things on the back end, but the plays were still there. We just had some drops and struggled running the ball. We were playing from behind the chains most of the game and had some tough penalties.”

While disappointing, Snyder said his team should still feel good about 9-3 one year after a disappointing 4-7 season.

“For the seniors, it’s tough walking off the field the last time wearing the black and gold,” he said. “I’m proud of them. I thank them for bringing Northwestern back to prominence. Playing 12 games can be a grind, but with these kids it never got stale. They were a pleasure to work with.”

kgroller@mcall.com Twitter @KeithGroller 610-820-6740