Schuylkill Haven aims to uphold its perfect season as it hosts Northern Lehigh for a District 11 2A semifinal clash on Saturday at 6 PM. The Hurricanes, boasting an impressive record of 11 wins and no losses, are coming off a dominant 62-14 victory over Catasauqua in their playoff opener. On the other hand, Northern Lehigh enters the matchup with an 8-3 record after a nail-biting 29-28 overtime win against Palisades.
Last year”s playoff run for Schuylkill Haven concluded prematurely when they fell to Williams Valley 28-13 in the District 11 2A Championship. That defeat followed a three-game winning streak that included victories over Palisades and Executive Education. Since that setback, the Hurricanes have rallied to secure 11 consecutive wins, starting with a narrow 19-14 victory over Blue Mountain in week one.
The previous encounter between Schuylkill Haven and Northern Lehigh ended in a 49-19 defeat for the Hurricanes during the last game of the 2021 regular season. This year, Schuylkill Haven”s defense has shown exceptional prowess, achieving three shutouts against Panther Valley, Shenandoah Valley, and Marian Catholic, outscoring those opponents 170-0.
Key to the Hurricanes” undefeated success has been junior running back Colton Reber, who has amassed 31 touchdowns and 2,268 rushing yards this season. The team has outscored its opponents by a significant margin, totaling 603 points while allowing only 148. Senior quarterback Max Heim has also made a substantial impact, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 1,038 yards, while Niko Castillo has contributed with eight touchdown receptions and 384 receiving yards. Defensively, the Hurricanes have been anchored by Triston Davis, averaging 6.5 tackles per game, and Chase Williams, who has recorded 24 tackles for loss.
Northern Lehigh”s offense is spearheaded by junior Garrett Smoyer, alongside junior running back Chris Frame and junior wide receiver/running back Ryan Zambo. Last year, Williams Valley claimed the District 11 2A Championship, while Northern Lehigh last won the district title in 2021. Schuylkill Haven last lifted the championship trophy in 2018, marking the end of a three-year winning streak.
As the Hurricanes prepare to face Northern Lehigh, the stakes are high with a coveted spot in the district championship on the line, where they would meet the winner of the semifinal matchup between Minersville and Williams Valley.
