The Hurricanes, ranked among the top programs in the state in PIAA Class 2A, leaned heavily on the rushing attack of Colton Reber and Niko Castillo to build a lead and withstand a determined Miners comeback effort.
The opening quarter set the tone for the night, as both teams traded big plays. Minersville’s Anthony Bowers opened the scoring with a 24-yard field goal, but Haven answered quickly when Reber broke loose for a 66-yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing kickoff, Paiten LaPoint electrified the Miners’ sideline with an 81-yard return for a touchdown. Schuylkill Haven responded again, this time with Reber powering in from four yards out to close the quarter ahead, 14-10.
Minersville was poised to score again in the first quarter until Schuylkill Haven forced the ball out of Dante Carr's hand on the one yard line and the Hurricanes recovered.
The offenses exploded in the second quarter. Castillo ripped off a 20-yard touchdown run, but the Miners tied it when Ty Atkinson hauled in a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dante Carr. Castillo struck back with a 35-yard run, only for Carr to dash 45 yards himself for a touchdwon. Haven regained control just before the half as Castillo caught a 7-yard touchdown from Max Heim, putting the Hurricanes up 34-24 at the break.
Schuylkill Haven extended its leader in the third quarter, once again behind Reber. He scored on runs of 27 and 29 yards, while Minersville managed to stay within reach thanks to an 8-yard rushing touchdown from Carr. Going into the final quarter, the Hurricanes led 48-31.
The Miners made one final push in the fourth quarter when Matthew Dube caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Carr, but the Haven defense stiffened the rest of the way to seal the victory.
With the win, Schuylkill Haven improves to 5-0 and now prepares for a marquee matchup on the road against undefeated Williams Valley in Williamstown.
Meanwhile, Minersville drops to 3-2 and faces another tough test next week against undefeated Marian Catholic.
The offenses exploded in the second quarter. Castillo ripped off a 20-yard touchdown run, but the Miners tied it when Ty Atkinson hauled in a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dante Carr. Castillo struck back with a 35-yard run, only for Carr to dash 45 yards himself for a touchdwon. Haven regained control just before the half as Castillo caught a 7-yard touchdown from Max Heim, putting the Hurricanes up 34-24 at the break.
Schuylkill Haven extended its leader in the third quarter, once again behind Reber. He scored on runs of 27 and 29 yards, while Minersville managed to stay within reach thanks to an 8-yard rushing touchdown from Carr. Going into the final quarter, the Hurricanes led 48-31.
The Miners made one final push in the fourth quarter when Matthew Dube caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Carr, but the Haven defense stiffened the rest of the way to seal the victory.
With the win, Schuylkill Haven improves to 5-0 and now prepares for a marquee matchup on the road against undefeated Williams Valley in Williamstown.
Meanwhile, Minersville drops to 3-2 and faces another tough test next week against undefeated Marian Catholic.
Photos by Dave McKeown / Sharp Mountain Media
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