Schuylkill Haven Returns to District XI 2A Championship After Defeating Executive Education

Tagged under: District 11, News, pfn

Karlee Feger | November 10, 2024

Schuylkill Haven captains: Leyden Hertz, Niko Castillo, Adam Malinoski, and Niko Carestia

The Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes defeated the Executive Education Academy Raptors 53-14, punching their ticket back to the District XI Championship Game. Niko Carestia led the Hurricanes with over 200 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Niko Castillo and Leyden Hertz each added a touchdown as well. Yaseen Mirza and Tahir Edmondson both scored for the Raptors.

Jaiden Perez opened up the game for the Raptors by running across the 50 and into Hurricane territory from quarterback Zion Brake’s first pass of the night. Brake gained another eight yards before being pressured in the backfield by Carestia for a loss of 16. Adam Malinoski intercepted Brake’s next throw, setting up Carestia for his first score of the night, a 15-yard touchdown followed by a two-point conversion. The Hurricanes’ defensive rhythm continued, Colton Reber snagging an interception of his own and allowing Carestia to reach the endzone again. Castillo completed the two-point conversion. Chase Williams led defensively on the line, starting with a big tackle for loss for the Hurricanes. After a strong defensive quarter, Carestia capped it off with another touchdown, this time from 7 yards, and the Hurricanes took a steady lead, 22-0.

Brake and Perez worked their Raptors to the 6-yard line, but were stuffed by the Hurricane defense, led by Chase Williams and Wyatt Keefer, forcing them to turn the ball over on downs. The Hurricanes were able to advance the ball quick with their run game, allowing Carestia to find the endzone for his fourth touchdown of the night. Leyden Hertz closed the half with a 33-yard scoop and score, extending the Hurricane lead to 38-0.

The Raptors were able to spark some offensive scoring after Perez recovered a Hurricane fumble. Mirza scored a 4-yard touchdown, but the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Carestia and Reber worked the ball downfield for the Hurricanes, setting up Castillo for a 33-yard score. Hertz scored the two-point conversion after a high snap on the extra-point attempt. Hertz’s intensity transferred into his defense, hauling in an interception to keep the Raptors at one score heading into the fourth quarter. The Hurricanes continued to lead over the Raptors, 46-6.

Carestia sealed the game with an 18-yard touchdown, but the Raptor also managed to find the endzone one last time. Williams kept up his defensive pressure bringing down Brake in the backfield, but Tahir Edmondson was able to bring in a low throw from Brake on the next play for a touchdown. The Hurricanes stayed aggressive on the defensive end as the clock wound down, freshman Logan Goad making several stops as well as Blake Rossi taking down Raptors as they attempted to return Correll’s kicks. The Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes beat the Executive Education Academy Raptors, with the final scoring being 53-14.

The Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes seek redemption next Friday as they take on the Williams Valley Vikings in the District XI 2A Championship for the second season in a row. The Hurricanes fell short the the Vikings, 49-35 last November, but Coach Mike Farr and his Hurricanes look to flip the script. The game will be held on Friday, November 15 at 7pm at Blue Mountain.

Executive Education quarterback Zion Brake looks to find a man downfield

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