Schuylkill Haven Headed to District XI Semifinals After Win Over Palisades

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Karlee Feger | November 6, 2024

The Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes opened up their postseason with a victory over the Palisades Pirates, 64-14. Niko Carestia rushed for 313 yards and scored three touchdowns, while his fellow running backs Colton Reber and Niko Castillo added a pair of touchdowns each. Leyden Hertz also scored twice for the Hurricanes.

Schuylkill Haven’s Leyden Hertz makes a tough grab for the score

Leyden Hertz opened up Saturday’s matchup with a 90-yard kickoff return, setting the tone and putting his team up early. This sparked the energy for the Hurricane defense, keeping Palisades in their own territory and not allowing them to gain any ground. Niko Castillo broke off for a 52-yard touchdown the next Hurricane possession, Colton Reber completing the two-point conversion. Ethan Kline and Wyatt Keefer led defensively, pressuring the Pirates and making them punt away at their own 5-yard line. Reber capped off the quarter with a 24-yard touchdown, followed by Castillo’s two-point conversion. The Hurricanes took a steady lead, 22-0. 

A swarm of Palisades players look to make a defensive play

Ashton Fitzgerald was able to give his Pirates a push, crossing into Hurricane territory to start the second quarter. The Pirates were able to convert on 4th and 3, allowing Jack Trickel to find Greg Borgesson for a touchdown. The extra point by Borgesson was good. The Hurricanes responded with Reber breaking out for a long run and scoring from 3-yards out on the next play. Carestia completed the two-point conversion. Fitzgerald reached over the 50-yard line again to set his team up for a chance to score, but they were unable to convert. Hurricane quarterback Brayden Fasnacht found Hertz deep in the endzone for an electric touchdown. Triston Davis sealed off the second quarter with a sack to keep the Pirates at one first-half score. The Hurricanes led 36-7 at halftime. 

Trickel connected with Fitzgerald for a 61-yard catch and run and Borgesson completed the extra point to start off the second half. This would be the last time the Pirates saw the endzone for the rest of the night. Carestia caught fire, scoring all three of his touchdowns plus a two-point conversion in the third quarter. Carestia had scored 20 of the Hurricanes 21 points, making the score 57-14 heading into the last twelve minutes. 

Castillo secured the Hurricane victory with a 4-yard touchdown, Correll completing the extra point. Aaron Gilbert and Brody Brand led the defensive front in the final minutes, and the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes advance in the District XI Playoffs after defeating Palisades, 64-14.

Head Coach Mike Farr and his Hurricanes will face Executive Education next Saturday in the District XI Semifinals. 

Niko Carestia rushes to the endzone 

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