MECHANICSBURG — Culture. Community. Commitment.

They are pillars of Northwestern Lehigh’s success.

And the Tigers don’t compromise their principals.

This season, they played for each other, and so much more.

The passing of beloved teammate Tucker Wessner drove an inspired performance that culminated in the program’s first state championship on Saturday at Cumberland Valley High School.

“We definitely had a bunch of circumstances coming into this game,” said senior Eli Zimmerman. “We knew we were on a mission. This summer, we lost a teammate, Tucker (Wessner). He was a great kid. He always put a smile on your face. Losing him was definitely something tough. But we knew we wanted to dedicate this season to him, and get another gold medal for him and his family. We got him three, and we knew we needed this one to complete that.”

Northwestern ran the table to get to its second straight PIAA final. An unprecedented season ended with Zimmerman dashing to the end zone in overtime to give the Tigers a 36-33 win over Avonworth.

And he knew exactly where to go after scoring the biggest touchdown of his life.

“It was awesome, but as you saw I kind of pointed our guys to go to the fans,” he said afterward. “They traveled all this way, and the whole season they supported us. Why not go out with them? The game was definitely a close one and a little close for our comfort, but when you get it done like that, the first thing you do is celebrate. I know a bunch of us were in tears a little bit. We didn’t really expect this to come down to a game-winning touchdown in overtime. But just celebrating with the fans and seeing everybody going crazy was an awesome feeling.”

The tributes to their teammate were present throughout the season, with players carrying a flag onto the field in his honor, wearing his number on their helmets and wrist tape, and keeping his jersey and helmet on the sideline.

“Heavy hearts in the locker room before the game,” said Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder. “I was brought to tears (with) emotion just thinking about him. I had a strong belief that he was with us. I had faith in the team. I told the kids that things happen for a reason in life. I’m a believer in that. Why that happened to that kid, I don’t know the reason. But I know he’s been with us all season. I know he was here today with us. I know my brother (Brett Snyder) was here with us. “Tucker was 53, and my brother was 35. Some things just come together, and you don’t know why. But I know they’re up there, looking down with huge smiles on their faces, cheering for the Black and Gold.”

This team never lost its poise. Or its purpose.

“It means a lot. Obviously last year we came up a little bit short, and then in the summer with everything that happened with Tucker, we knew we wanted to make this year special, we wanted to make it count,” said junior Shane Hulmes. “And I think we sure did.”

And just like everything else, they did it together.

They used lessons learned from last year’s loss to Belle Vernon in the final, an experience that kept them connected and focused throughout the season.

And ready for the challenges they would face in their return.

“It helped with everything. We never had the experience of coming to the state championship before,” junior Mason Bollinger said. “But last year helped us get prepared for it, and helped us get back. We were prepared for it, and knew what was going to happen on the field so we could really get our heads right. But it’s all for Tucker. He was in our hearts the whole way throughout the season. It’s just all for him. He brought us here, he helped us out, he’s all that made it happen.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way, to be honest,” added senior Bryer Reichard. “That was a hell of a game. They were a great team. No. 4 (Luca Neal) was a great player, he was hard to tackle. I’m at a loss for words, honestly. That was the greatest moment of my life.”

The win also finished off an unprecedented season at Northwestern, which saw three teams win state titles with unbeaten records. The boys and girls soccer squads both went 28-0, and the football team finished the year 16-0 to complete the trifecta.

“Someone checked that beforehand, we’re the first team in Pennsylvania state history to win three state championships in the same season while going undefeated,” said Snyder. “I grew up in New Tripoli, went to college at Lehigh, played ball there and came back for moments like this. I love this community. Both the boys (Nate Hunsicker) and girls (Jordan Smith) soccer coaches are Northwestern kids. We’re homegrown, we wear that with pride.

“These are New Tripoli kids that we just ran the table with, and I can’t be more proud of our community.”

Homegrown. It’s on hoodies. Shirts. Car magnets. You name it. It’s ever present.

But it’s not just a catchphrase or a brand. It’s everything Northwestern is about, on and off the field.

It’s why the stands and parking lots are packed at every single one of their games. It’s why they line the roads to send them off, and why they wait to welcome them home.

And it’s why it just means more for a bunch of kids from New Tripoli to be state champions.

“I’m going to remember my teammates the most,” said Hulmes. “I was playing with these guys since about fourth grade. I’m going to remember this group. This group is a really special one. It just means so much to me.”