Mount Carmel Area scored 33 points in the second half Friday night to pull away from Pottsville Area for a 47-20 victory at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Following a scoreless opening quarter, Mount Carmel struck first when Jaylen Delaney connected with Aidan Brokenshire for an 18-yard touchdown. Joshua Miller added the extra point.
Pottsville answered with a two-yard touchdown run by Maxwell Clews, followed by an extra point from Andrew Allen that tied the game at 7-7.
The tie did not last long. Cooper Karycki broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run, and Miller’s extra point sent the Red Tornadoes into halftime with a 14-7 lead.
Mount Carmel’s rushing attack then took control during a high-scoring third quarter.
Delaney opened the second half with a 78-yard touchdown run, extending the Red Tornadoes’ advantage to 21-7.
Pottsville responded with an explosive play of its own when Allen found Shay Strencosky for an 80-yard touchdown pass. Allen’s extra point brought the Crimson Tide back within seven points.
Mount Carmel answered with three consecutive touchdowns. Karycki scored on a 15-yard run before Delaney added a one-yard touchdown run, giving the Red Tornadoes a 35-14 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Delaney recorded his third rushing touchdown of the night with a 35-yard run during the final period. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving Mount Carmel ahead 41-14.
Allen and Strencosky connected again for Pottsville, this time on a 14-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful.
Logan Shuder closed the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run for Mount Carmel, producing the 47-20 final.
Delaney accounted for four touchdowns in the victory, throwing for one and rushing for three. Karycki added touchdown runs of 67 and 15 yards, while Miller converted five extra points.
Allen threw two touchdown passes to Strencosky for Pottsville and also converted two extra points.
Mount Carmel improved to 2-0 with the victory, while Pottsville fell to 0-2. The Crimson Tide will travel to Pleasant Valley on Thursday, Sept. 10.
The Red Tornadoes will return home to face Milton in Week 3 before traveling back into Schuylkill County for a Week 4 matchup against North Schuylkill.
Photos by Jocelyn Barret / Danie Mae Photography
