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Backyard Brawl ends with late 4th quarter come back victory at the Eagles Nest !!

Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News

| August 23, 2025


Colton Reber(shown above) scores the final touchdown with just :11 seconds to go to seal the deal in an EPIC back and forth battle at the Eagles Nest resulting in a comeback victory for the Hurricanes 34 to 27 !

There is nothing better on a Friday night under the lights at a football game, especially a game played by teams separated by just about 1 mile apart. In the first quarter, neither team could really get much going as each team would gain a few yards here and there, but couldn’t get close to the end zone until the second quarter when Niko Castillo would cap off a 7 play drive with an 8 yard touchdown run to put the Canes up 6 to 0 following a failed 2 point conversion.

Blue Mountain would get down deep into Hurricane territory but the drive would get stopped and they would go for the field goal but it would miss wide left keeping the score 6 to 0 with 5:28 to go in the first half. The Eagles would eventually score, a drive that would go for 85 yards on just 4 plays, a 56 yard touchdown reception by Chase Guers with :07 seconds to play in the half. The Eagles would also miss their try at the point after leaving the score tied at 6 each, that would be the score at halftime.

Schuylkill Haven would receive the second half kickoff, using their ground and pound rushing attack with Niko Carestia leading the way, going 9 plays only to have the drive stuffed having to settle for a field goal attempt. Reese Miller of Blue Mountain had other plans as the attempt would be blocked with Miller catching the ball in the air, taking it to the house 72 yards for the score and the lead 12 to 6 Eagles.

The Hurricanes wasted no time in responding when Colton Reber took the handoff 58 yards to tie the game at 13 a piece following the PAT. The Eagles fumbled on their next possession after just 2 plays giving the ball back to the Hurricanes with 4:28 left in the quarter. The Canes wouldn’t fair much better on their next possession turning the ball over on downs in Eagles territory at the 26 yard line. Blue Mountain would get the ball, marching down the field capped off with what seemed to be a fumble and turnover in the end zone but the Eagles would get the better end of the call resulting in a touchdown to put the Eagles back on top 20 to 13 with 10:18 to go in the game.

On the ensuing drive for the Hurricanes, it would be Niko Carestia running wild on 4 rushes for 42 yards and a score to once again tie the game at 20 with 7:18 to play. Haven would retake the lead after the Eagles would fumble again, losing the ball this time at the goal line. Carestia and Colton Reber would take control on the drive for the Canes capped off with a 39 yard run from Reber, Schuylkill Haven now leading 26 to 20 after the PAT was no good. Haven had gone 80 yards on the drive on 7 plays. The lead for the Hurricanes wouldn’t last long however when Blue Mountain’s Chase Guers returns the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to put the Eagles back on top by 1 27 to 26 with 1:03 to play in the game.

Most times, that would rip the heart out of the other team but not Coach Farr’s Hurricanes, with just 1:03 to play, the Hurricanes need to go 65 yards after the kickoff. Colton Reber and Senior QB-Max Heim made sure they would not go down without a fight. With :27 seconds to play, the Hurricanes were flagged for a delay of game moving the ball back to the Eagles 27. With :11 seconds to go, QB-Max Heim would connect with Colton Reber for the game winning touchdown and lead 34 to 27.

After the whistle blew, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colton Reber and Niko Carestia, as well with Head Coach Mike Farr. Emotions were flowing with Mr. Carestia as he was super excited to lead his team to victory over the rival Eagles.

Team Statistics: *UNOFFICIAL*
Hurricanes – Eagles
First Downs — 21      17
Rushes-Yards — 44-381      30-145
Comp/Att/INT — 6-11-0      10-17-0
Passing Yards — 127      170
Total Yards — 508      315
Fumbles/Lost — 2-1      2-2
Penalties — 5-35      2-10

Individual Statistics:
PASSING:
Schuylkill Haven — Max Heim 6-9-0, 127yds,
Blue Mountain — Cohen Kirby 10-17-0, 170yds

RUSHING:
Schuylkill Haven —  Colton Reber 13-205yds,  Niko Carestia 23-145yds,
Blue Mountain — Brody Foose 14-105yds, Carter Smith 8-31yds

RECEIVING:
Schuylkill Haven — Niko Castillo 2-80yds,  Colton Reber 1-27yds, Niko Carestia 3-20yds.
Blue Mountain — Chase Guers 4-95yds, Josh Hoover 2-36yds

INTERCEPTIONS: None

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