In a nail-biting finish, the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes rallied in the final seconds to defeat the Nativity BVM Green Wave by a score of 29-28 in an important Schuylkill League Blue Division matchup.
The win solidified Schuylkill Haven’s position as division leaders and maintained their momentum heading into the final week of the regular season.
Both teams came into the game with high stakes, and the intensity showed right from the opening whistle. Nativity BVM struck first with Sam Walborn scoring on a 1-yard run, followed by a successful extra point from Michael Stank to give the Green Wave an early 7-0 lead.
Schuylkill Haven responded with a 25-yard touchdown run by Niko Carestia, who also powered through for a successful two-point conversion, putting the Hurricanes ahead 8-7.
But the Green Wave regained control when Ben Kreitzer connected with Nick Wagner for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Stank’s extra point was good, giving Nativity BVM a 14-8 lead to close the first quarter.
Nativity BVM built on their momentum in the second quarter, as Walborn found the end zone again, this time on a 12-yard run. Another successful extra point by Stank extended the Green Wave’s lead to 21-8.
Schuylkill Haven narrowed the gap before halftime with a 3-yard touchdown run by Bryce Reber. However, the Hurricanes' two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 21-14 in favor of Nativity BVM as they headed to the locker rooms.
The Green Wave kept the pressure on in the third quarter, with Kreitzer throwing his second touchdown pass of the night, a 22-yard strike to Walborn. Stank’s extra point was again on target, giving Nativity a 28-14 advantage.
Schuylkill Haven refused to back down. Carestia found the end zone once more, this time on a 16-yard run. He then added another two-point conversion, cutting Nativity BVM’s lead to 28-22 and setting up a dramatic fourth quarter.
In a tense and hard-fought final quarter, both teams battled for every yard. With the game on the line and time running out, Schuylkill Haven mounted a last-minute drive. Quarterback Brayden Fasnacht delivered a 16-yard touchdown pass to Leyden Hertz, and Hunter Correll’s extra point was good, putting the Hurricanes ahead 29-28 with just seconds remaining.
Nativity BVM’s final efforts fell short, and Schuylkill Haven celebrated a thrilling come-from-behind victory that keeps them atop the Schuylkill League Blue Division.
Schuylkill Haven will look to close out their regular season on the road against Tri-Valley, while Nativity BVM aims to bounce back when they host Marian Catholic next Friday night.
Photos by Jocelyn Barrett / Danie Mae Photography / Skook News