Schuylkill Haven Outlasts Blue Mountain in Backyard Rivalry Thriller

Separated by just over a mile of Route 61, the rivalry between Schuylkill Haven and Blue Mountain never fails to deliver drama — and Friday night was no exception.
The Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes rallied late to knock off the Blue Mountain Eagles, 34-27, in the opening week of high school football action, spoiling the Eagles’ home debut.

After a scoreless first quarter, both teams traded blows in the second. Haven’s Niko Castillo broke the ice with an 8-yard touchdown run, while Blue Mountain answered with a big-play strike as quarterback Cohen Kirby connected with receiver Chase Guers on a 56-yard touchdown. Both conversion attempts failed, sending the game to halftime tied at 6-6.

Momentum swung Blue Mountain’s way in the third quarter when Reese Miller returned a blocked field goal 86 yards for a score. But Schuylkill Haven quickly responded when Colton Reber raced 58 yards to the end zone, knotting the game again at 13.

The rivalry heated up in the fourth, turning into a shootout. Blue Mountain grabbed the lead when Frankie Russo pounced on a loose ball in the end zone, but Schuylkill Haven stormed back behind quarterback Max Heim. Heim found Niko Carestia for a 12-yard touchdown to tie the game, then hit Reber for a score with a 39-yard run.

Blue Mountain’s Guers kept his team alive with an electrifying 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

It was in the closing seconds of the game when Heim would throw a 27-yard pass to Reber for a touchdown to take the win.

Schuylkill Haven hopes to keep their moment when they hit the road for Week 2 against Panther Valley.

Blue Mountain will continue their hunt for a win on the road against Southern Lehigh.