Late scoring surge lifts Twin Valley over Schuylkill Valley in high school football opener

A close game turned lopsided late as Twin Valley scored 30 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat Schuylkill Valley 44-13 Friday night in a non-league season opener at Twin Valley.

Led by running backs Evan Johnson and Drew Engle, the Raiders quite literally ran away with the victory as Johnson recorded a game-high 251 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries and Engle finished with 179 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

“We got some pretty good running backs, a great offensive line, we played really, really hard and in the end, I’m just happy for our guys,” Twin Valley coach Brett Myers said. “They really put in a lot of work. They’ve been at this since December and for them to actually get under the lights and have a game that’s exciting. So I’m happy for them, they put in a lot of work and they got what they deserved today.”

With the Raiders up 14-13, Engle scored on a 19-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter. After the Panthers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Johnson scored a 26-yard run to give Twin Valley a 28-13 lead with 11 minutes to go.

“It all starts with the offensive line,” Johnson said. “A good offensive line leads to good offense, and good offense wins games.

“If you work hard and really put your mind to it, it all comes together like a puzzle and you’ll play really well.”

Schuylkill Valley struggled to get its offense going in the fourth and Ean Winchester scored his second rushing touchdown of the night from the 4-yard line to make it 35-13. Winchester also scored on a 3-yard run on the first play of the second quarter that gave the Raiders a 7-0 lead and capped off a 10-play, 95-yard drive.

Johnson all but put the game away when he broke several tackles and got free on the outside to score a 59-yard touchdown with 5:25 remaining. A fumbled snap by Schuylkill Valley that was recovered by defensive end Kyle Kline gave Twin Valley possession prior to Johnson’s last score.

The Raiders forced a safety with 3:53 left to close  the scoring.

Twin Valley finished with 463 rushing yards and quarterback Evan Myers completed 5-of-8 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown.

“All our guys played hard,” Myers said. “We made some mistakes, but we’ll get that fixed up. In the end, our kids played hard in all three phases and they did what they’re supposed to do.”

Turnovers plagued both sides as the Raiders fumbled seven times, losing three. The Panthers’ turnovers proved to be more costly.

Twin Valley’s Tristan Bailey intercepted a pass by Logan Nawrocki in the end zone on Schuylkill Valley’s opening drive after the Panthers started on their 42 and picked up three first downs to get to the Twin Valley 10.

With 1:29 left in the second quarter and the Panthers trailing 14-7, Schuylkill Valley running back Dominic Giuffre was intercepted by Ben Grundy when the Panthers tried a trick play from the Raiders’ 18-yard line.

“We always know that the most important play is always the next play so we just have a short memory (when it comes to turnovers),” Johnson said. “One of our goals was to make turnovers. Coach always talks about whoever wins the turnover game is usually going to win the game. To have that play (the first interception) happen, especially at the beginning of the game, got us all amped up and was a big motivator to go and win the game.”

Nawrocki connected with Kowen Gerner for a 76-yard touchdown pass earlier in the second quarter to put Schuylkill Valley to tie it at 7-7. Nawrocki completed 17-of-28 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.

“In the first half we played with them; our kids played their hearts out,” Panthers coach Bruce Harbach said. “I think the wheels fell off when we muffed that kickoff. Otherwise, it’s 14-13 and we’re in it.

“We left at least two touchdowns on the field with the two interceptions. The one was a bad throw in the end zone and, the other one, our receiver was wide open and we threw a pick. But one game doesn’t make a season. So we got nine to go and I believe we can win nine.”

A shovel pass from Myers to Grundy went 58 yards for a score to put the Raiders up 14-7 with 4:43 remaining in the second and Schuylkill Valley got within one when Nawrocki found Giuffre for a 6-yard touchdown pass with 50 seconds left in the third. The ensuing extra point was blocked.

Giuffre finished with 79 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards.

For the Raiders, though the opening night win is a welcomed sight after months of preparation, there is still work to be done.

“It’s just like any other game,” Johnson said. “We got to move on to next week. Monday is a new day and it’s a whole new week with a whole new team next Friday.”

“It’s pretty clear our guys worked hard, we got some pretty good athletes and it was a fun night,” Myers said. “That’s really what it comes down to. They got to enjoy Friday night; it’s been a long time to get to this one. It’s the most unique game of the year because in the end, you practice and work out six, seven months for this one game. From here on out you got four days of practice and then you play.”