FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Schuylkill Haven, coming off a 10-4 season in which the Hurricanes won the District II Class A title and had their entire starting backfield returning, was hoping to win back to back titles this season and to contend for the Anthracite Football League championship.
The latter won't happen, but there is still a chance the Hurricanes (4-4) can repeat as district champs, but they'll likely have to win tonight to have a chance at qualifying. That's a tall order, since they'll be hosting the likely AFL champs, unbeaten North Schuylkill (8-0).
The Spartans all but wrapped up the league title with their 43-0 whitewash of previously unbeaten Jim Thorpe last week, and have not missed a beat all season.
That hasn't been the case for the Hurricanes. Mike Farr's team stumbled early with a 38-21 upset loss to Mahanoy Area in the second game. They also lost to Tamaqua and Jim Thorpe by a combined four points, before getting waxed by Marian, 40-17.
Depite the .500 record, Schuylkill Haven remains dangerous, averaging almost 31 points per game with their patented ground control game. William Cassella has run for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Ryan Fink, who has played both quarterback and other backfield positions, has 640 yards and six touchdowns.
Fink and Danny Lozada, who also plays quarterback, have combined for just 430 yards passing and three touchdowns, and a one-dimensional attack could be in for problems against the Spartans' defense.
North Schuylkill's high-powered attack averages just over 40 points per game. Tailback John Rupinski now has 1,182 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing. Quarterback Bobby Grigas has thrown for 1,044 yards and 15 touchdowns with just two interceptions, and is averaging 12 yards per attempt. Tevin Murray and Richie Zahodnick are a pair of dangerous receivers. The 6-5 Murray has 27 catches for 561 yards and nine touchdowns, and Zahodnick has 14 catches for 345 yard and five touchdowns.
The Hurricanes do have an exceptional defensive player in junior linebacker Nick Kerschner. His 90 tackles are roughly double that of anyone else on the team.