Pottsville's JuJu Bainbridge (5) struggles for extra yardage as Southern Lehigh's Christopher Fritts (9) and Andrew Olesh (8) try to bring him down during Friday night's game at Veterans Memorial Stadium. At left is Pottsville's Cole Cesari (76). (Photo by Danie Mae Photography)

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville saw Friday’s game against Southern Lehigh as a measuring stick.

The Crimson Tide seemingly have gotten better every week. They wanted to find out how far they’ve come at the midpoint of the season against one of the top teams in the Schuylkill/Colonial Cooperative Red Division.

What did the Tide learn?

They’re not there yet, but they certainly are closing the gap.

Leaning on a huge offensive line and workhorse running back Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh escaped Veterans Memorial Stadium with a 34-25 victory.

Pottsville (2-3, 2-2 Red) made enough plays to win the game, but the Crimson Tide also made enough mistakes to leave with a disappointing loss to the Spartans (4-1, 3-1).

“We have to fight. We have to learn how to compete, how to be physical,’’ Pottsville coach Mike Brennan said. “I truly believe our kids did just that. I was proud of the effort.

“Making some mistakes that cost us, physically maybe being a little bit worn out against a bigger, more experienced opponent that led to some bigger plays than they should have been, but I know our kids fought,’’ Brennan added. “They never gave in. They never gave up. They played for four quarters, and we’re making progress as a football team and progress as a football program. That’s all I can ask right now, and we’ll do what we can to make sure we get better every week.’’

Opening in a no-huddle set, Pottsville took the kickoff and drew first blood with an eight-play, 80-yard drive. Running back JuJu Bainbridge rushed four times for 29 yards, and quarterback Andrew Allen lofted a pass over double coverage into the waiting arms of Tsirell Curry for a 40-yard TD.

The Tide held that 7-0 lead into the second quarter when Curry tipped a Colton Sams pass to himself for an interception and raced 80 yards for a touchdown and a two-score lead.

Not so fast. An illegal block in the back penalty on the return negated the touchdown, and the Tide’s drive ended with a punt.

After Steckert scored the first of his four touchdowns on a 3-yard run, the Spartans got the ball back but faced fourth-and-2 at their own 20-yard line. Southern Lehigh lined up appearing to go for it, but Pottsville jumped offsides, giving the Spartans new life. They took advantage by scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 17.9 seconds left in the first half.

A 45-yard middle screen to Steckert got Southern Lehigh close, and Steckert plunged in from the 1 for the lead.

Steckert finished the night with 38 carries for 228 yards. He added a 28-yard TD run in the third quarter and a 53-yard TD pass from Sams in the fourth for a 34-19 lead. He also had a 52-yard kickoff return to set up a touchdown.

Pottsville needed a stop to start the third quarter, but instead, Sams connected with Luke Kawczenski for a 30-yard touchdown pass and a 21-7 lead.

Later in the third, Bainbridge, who finished with 22 carries for 209 yards rushing, cut the deficit to one score with a 7-yard touchdown run.

Pottsville, though, couldn’t get the key stop or turnover to come all the way back.

After Steckert made it 28-13 with his 28-yard TD run, Bainbridge answered with a scintillating 81-yard touchdown run. Pottsville trailed 28-19 heading to the fourth quarter.

Steckert’s TD reception extended Southern Lehigh’s lead to 34-19, but Pottsville’s Letrel Montone took a short pass from Allen and turned it into a 65-yard touchdown pass with 6:19 left in the game.

The Tide never got the ball back. Steckert rushed nine straight times for 70 yards and four first downs that enabled the Spartans to run out the clock.

“We’re not accepting this,’’ Brennan said. “We’re not accepting getting better. We’re not accepting close calls. We want to win football games. We want to be a dominant football program, and we’re going to earn it. We’re going to earn it in the weight room. We’re going to earn it on the practice field. We’re going to earn it through discipline. We’re going to earn it through hard work. We’re going to earn it through toughness. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take some time. Are we there yet? No, but we’re not stopping and we will get there.’’

The Crimson Tide will return to Veterans Memorial Stadium next Friday when they host Lehighton. Game time is 7 p.m.

“We fought hard,’’ Bainbridge said. “I know we have some tough guys here. We just didn’t make the plays when it came down to it, but I believe in my guys every week, and I feel we’re going to bounce back next week.’’

Game Summary

Southern Lehigh 34, Pottsville 25 

Solehi (4-1, 3-1 Red)            0       14     14     6  — 34

Potts (2-3, 2-2 Red)             7       0       12     6  —           25

Po — Curry 40 pass from Allen (Alvarez kick)

SL — Steckert 3 run (Tapper kick)

SL — Steckert 1 run (Tapper kick)

SL — Kawczenski 30 pass from Sams (Tapper kick)

Po — Bainbridge 7 run (kick failed)

SL — Steckert 28 run (Tapper kick)

Po — Bainbridge 81 run (pass failed)

SL — Steckert 53 pass from Sams (pass failed)

Po — Montone 65 pass from Allen (kick blocked)

Team Statistics

SL-Potts

First Downs —- 21      12

Rushes-Yards — 44-243      28-189

Passes —- 13-19-1      8-16-0

Passing Yards —- 232      156

Total Yards —- 475      345

Fumbles/Lost —- 0-0      2-0

Penalties — 4-45      3-20

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: Southern Lehigh — Steckert 38-228, Reagan 6-15. Pottsville — Bainbridge 22-209, Galavage 1-2, Allen 2-(-6), Team 2-(-16).

PASSING: Southern Lehigh —- Sams 13-19-1, 232. Pottsville —- Allen 8-16-0, 156.

RECEIVING: Southern Lehigh — Steckert 3-92, Kawczenski 5-72, Roman 1-32, Olesh 2-30, Hite 1-6, Tobin 1-2. Pottsville — Montone 3-84, Curry 4-65, Bainbridge 1-7.

INTERCEPTIONS: Southern Lehigh — None. Pottsville — Curry.