The Tamaqua Area Raiders shook off an 0-2 start and found their rhythm Friday night, defeating Pottsville 21-19 in a tight Schuylkill/Colonial League Division A matchup.
Both teams entered the contest looking to steady their seasons, with Tamaqua searching for its first win after setbacks against Pen Argyl and North Schuylkill, while Pottsville arrived at 1-1 following a loss to Shamokin and a win over Jim Thorpe.
The game opened with a defensive battle, as neither team scored in the first quarter. Pottsville struck first in the second, when quarterback Andrew Allen connected with Nicholas Huda on an 18-yard touchdown pass, followed by his own successful extra point to give the Crimson Tide a 7-0 halftime lead.
Tamaqua answered in the third quarter as Terrence McDowell powered into the end zone on an 8-yard run, though the kick attempt failed, cutting the deficit to 7-6.
The fourth quarter turned into a shootout. McDowell struck again on a 4-yard run, followed by a successful two-point conversion pass from Chase Serfass to Brady McCabe, putting the Raiders ahead 14-7. Pottsville responded with Allen finding Christian Alvarez on an 8-yard touchdown pass, but the extra point failed, leaving Tamaqua in front 14-13.
McDowell capped his standout night with a 13-yard touchdown run, this time with McCabe hitting the extra point to extend the Raiders’ lead to 21-13. Pottsville made one last push as Allen scrambled for a 7-yard touchdown run, but the Tide’s two-point attempt came up short.
Final score: Tamaqua Area 21 Pottsville 19
The Raiders (1-2, 1-1) notched their first victory of the season and will look to build on their momentum when they travel to Jim Thorpe in Week 4. Pottsville (1-2, 1-1) will aim to rebound as they return home to face Bangor Area.
Photos by Dave McKeown / Sharp Mountain Media
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