2025 PFN Player Spotlight: Getting to Know Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes RB/LB/ATH Niko Carestia

Tagged under: District 11, News, Player Previews

Daniel Reed | June 2, 2025

Niko Carestia
Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes
Class Of: 2026
Position(s): RB/LB/ATH
Jersey Number: #44
Ht: 5’10 – Wt: 208lbs
Other Sports: Wrestling and Track & Field
Notable Awards or Recognitions:
SCFCA Offensive & Defensive Player of the Year
SCFCA 1st team at RB & LB
Coaches and Writers Select All-State RB
Newswatch Super-16 Dream Team at RB
Offer Sheet: Seton Hill
Twitter: @CarestiaNiko
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COACH SAYS: Generational player. Excels on both sides of the ball.

GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT NIKO:

What is the best part of being a student-athlete for the Hurricanes ?
We have a great culture and a great supportive community. We have a lot of fans that care about us.

Why do you play football?
Football allows me to use my mind, my strength, and my speed to take over. It’s both challenging and rewarding. It brings me happiness, and I love the competition.

How long have you been playing football(any level) ?
7 years

It’s GameDay !! What are you looking forward to the most ?
A hard earned win. Sharing the joy of victory with my teammates.

Of all the road games you have played, which stadium had the best overall atmosphere, along with what made it so good ?
I would have to say Panther Valley; it’s a historic stadium and I can’t wait to play there again.

If the game is on the line, do you want to be on offense or defense ? Explain:
Offense; it’s hard for teams to stop us.

As an athlete, what has been your biggest achievement ?
Being named All-State RB and winning the District title in the Javelin.

What was the high point of the 2024 season ?
Beating Minersville and Williams Valley back-to-back weeks. Those two games had a lot of hype around them and we overcame a lot of adversity to win.

What are your goals for the 2025 season ?
State Title, 2500-3000+ rushing yards, 125-150 tackles, and 55 touchdowns.

What are you going to miss the most from the class of 2025 ?
They were a lot of fun to play with and we had good camaraderie. They helped bring out the best of our team. We got along well.

Who is your mentor, the person you want to be like the most, and why ?
I would say my mentor is my dad because, If I’m ever lost or stuck in a situation, I can always go to him.

Who is your favorite sports star and why ?
Saquon Barkley, he’s gone through so much adversity and he continues to show how good of a player he is. His talent and playmaking abilities are mesmerizing.

Do you have a favorite play you remember the most ? Explain:
My favorite play was either when Blue Mountain was driving down the field to score and I stripped the receiver to get the ball back or when I got a sack late in the second quarter against Minersville.

Who is the best player(s) you have ever lined up against and what team did they play for ?
Alex Achenbach – Williams Valley

What stadium, (HS/College/Pro) would you love to visit for a game ?
Denver Broncos, Mile High Stadium

What is your favorite Pro Sports team(any sport) ? Explain:
I’m a big fan of the Phillies because they’ve been building a successful team for the past couple years. The players are a lot of fun and they have a passionate fan base.

What game, yours, college or pro, was your favorite game you watched and why ?
My favorite game that I was there to see was when Wyomissing went up to Southern Columbia and had an all out brawl. Multiple Division I players at that game and lots of scoring.

What sports movie could you watch every day if you had to pick one, and why ?
Cars 1: it’s a classic movie I’ve watched since childhood.

Name one thing you’d love to do in football that may never happen ?
Break Zach Barket’s single season rushing record (4187).

Name a sport you’d love to play but can’t:
I’d love to golf but not necessarily as a sport, more as a hobby.

What is your most embarrassing sports moment ?
First thing that comes to my mind is when I was wrestling my Sophomore year and my nose kept bleeding, and by the fourth time the ref stopped the match. They had to take my headgear off and wrap, tape around my head and my nose. Still won the match by pinning my opponent in the 3rd period.

When you aren’t playing, practicing, or training for sports, what is your go to activity, and why ?
Weight lifting because it helps me get better and helps clear my mind.

Which one, Sheetz, Wawa, or Rutters ? Explain:
Sheetz – I live less than a mile away from one.

What is your favorite vacation destination ?
Ocean City, Maryland

If you were handed a lot of money, what would be the first thing you would do with it ?
Invest it or open a savings account that has interest.

Tell us something that you have a fear of ?
I never want to be able to say after a game that I could’ve given it a little more.

Favorite Fast Food/Burger place and why ?
Red Robin – solid burgers.

Have you ever been to a professional sports game, which ones ?
I’ve seen the Phillies live and love the atmosphere of Citizen’s Bank Park.

NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAAF, NFL, Which league is the best and why ?
I would say the NFL and the NCAAF are the best, not just because they’re football related but because the other leagues are little soft.

What is your favorite video game, on mobile and or console ?
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron – PS3

What toppings go on your favorite pizza ?
Sausage and Pepperoni

Favorite School Subject ?
History

Favorite Band/Musician ?
Korn, Alice In Chains, Staind

Airplane, Boat, or Vehicle(motorcycles included), how would you travel and to where ?
Airplane to Germany

Name one thing in life(NOT SPORTS RELATED) you would like to achieve:
Break the school record in the 100m (10.88) Going to a well respected university and graduating with a bachelor’s degree.

Location you think would be the best place to live(ie: island, mountains, city, etc) ? Explain why:
I think where I am right now in Schuylkill County is one of the best places because it’s not too far from anything.

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