The matchup last year between the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes and the Mahanoy Area Golden Bears went in favor of Mahanoy. It was a game in which they captured an early lead and held on to it throughout the game. This year Schuylkill Haven was determined to reverse those roles, and did so by earning an early lead and never looking back on it.
The Hurricanes strong start, stifling defense, and a multitude of turnovers by Mahanoy Area, aided them en route to a 54-0 victory over the Golden Bears. On this night, the 1991 Schuylkill Haven football team watched their Alma Mater play, as they were honored for the 25th anniversary of their PIAA Class A State Championship.
The Hurricanes struck the board first via a three-yard touchdown scamper by Preston Gehring, followed by an extra point from Dawson Evitts, to take a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. A pass from Mahanoy Area’s quarterback, Mark Lawrence, on his team’s next possession was intercepted by Haven Safety Danny Lozada and returned for touchdown, to make the score 14-0. A 15-yard touchdown run by Kobe Brish and then another Evitts PAT gave the Hurricanes a 21-0 lead with two minutes remaining in the first.
The Hurricanes piled up four more touchdown runs in the second quarter from Matt Kalyan, Brandon Koch, Mike Kalyan, and Danny Lozada. Schuylkill Haven took a commanding 48-0 lead into halftime.
The final touchdown of the game was scored in the third quarter by Schuylkill Haven’s Brandon Wasser to bring the score to 54-0, which remained throughout.
Schuylkill Haven (6-0) hosts Minersville next week.
Mahanoy Area (3-3) hosts Marian.
Notes: Schuylkill Haven’s Kobe Brish rushed for 107 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown, Danny Lozada rushed for 51 yards and a score, and Mike Kalyan rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown. Gehring, Ma. Kalyan, Koch, and Wasser also rushed for a touchdowns.
Mahanoy Area’s Tyler Clewell rushed for 39 yards on 16 carries and Mark Lawrence rushed for 20 yards on 8 touches.
