POTTSVILLE - The most disappointing setbacks are often only an opportunity for another great comeback.

Tamaqua turned back-to-back losses into an eventual a run to the state semifinals a year ago.

The Blue Raiders didn’t dwell on the disappointments - they simply grew from them.

Tamaqua undefeated start to this season came to an end with a 21-12 loss to Pottsville on Friday night.

But the Blue Raiders are anything but beaten down.

“We have nothing to be ashamed of,” said Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner. “Good teams bounce back from these losses, and I think we have a pretty good team. Now we have to bounce back next week.”

Much like they did a year ago, the Tide (3-1) handed the Blue Raiders their first loss of the season.

This one was closer than the 34-17 setback in 2019.

Nate Wickersham’s 11-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal pulled Tamaqua within striking distance at 14-12 with 44.5 to play in the third period. After a failed extra point try earlier in the contest, a two-point conversion try to tie it failed.

The Blue Raiders (3-1) went 79 yards in 15 plays, chewing up 7:04 on their second drive of the second half.

After forcing a punt on Pottsville’s next drive, the Tide turned the momentum with a fumble recovery deep in Tamaqua territory. Quarterback Jazce Carabello-Snowell didn’t wait long to cash in, going 15 yards for a score on Pottsville’s first play from scrimmage with Raeff DieCello’s extra point making it a two possession game at 21-12 with 9:59 remaining in the fourth.

The Blue Raiders punted on their next drive and failed to convert a fourth-and-18 from the Tide’s 35 with just over 4:00 to play in the game, handing the ball back to Pottsville with Tamaqua unable to stop the clock.

“We don’t have that 80-yard breakaway kind of team,” said Bonner. “But I thought our kids really stuck it in there. Once we got down nine, those two scores, obviously it takes us out of a little bit of what we do well, especially with eight minutes left to go.

“We were hoping to keep it a one-score game where we could have kind of stayed in our comfort zone. But unfortunately like that last offensive series we had, it’s hard when you’re down two scores. We’re not a two-score, five minute kind of team. I thought we would have had a little bit more of a shot if we kept it to one score. But I thought both teams played a hell of a game, and our kids stuck it in there until the end.”

Pottsville never trailed, scoring after a long drive on its first series of the game.

After forcing a punt on Tamaqua’s first possession, the Tide drove 92 yards on nine plays, with Carabello-Snowell hitting Travontai Davis on third-and-15 for a 23-yard touchdown with 6:02 to play in the first quarter.

The Blue Raiders drove to the Pottsville three-yard line on their next drive. But the Tide defense held on fourth-and-goal, stopping Logan Hess at the one-yard line.

Tamaqua’s defense took advantage of the field position, however. With Carabello-Snowell looking to make a play on third-and-nine from his own end zone, Nate Curvey came away with a pick-six after the extra point try failed.

“I thought our defense played a hell of a game,” said Bonner. “I thought they basically gave up one score. You take away the kickoff return, we turned the ball over on the 15 and gave them that one. Aside from that, I thought our defense played a hell of a game.”

GROUNDED

... A week after putting up 446 yards - including 301 rushing against Lehighton - Tamaqua held the Tide to 207 yards of offense, with 143 coming on the ground.

AND HE’S OFF

... Wickersham hit fullback Lucas Schickram on two well executed screen plays coming out of the backfield. The first went for 43 yards, and the second gained 28 and helped setup Tamaqua’s touchdown late in the third quarter.

BOUNCING BACK

... After falling to Pottsville and North Schuylkill in consecutive weeks a year ago, Tamaqua didn’t lose again until the state semifinals against Wyoming Area.

NEXT

... The Blue Raiders travel to Blue Mountain next Friday. The Eagles (1-3) have dropped three straight since a 35-0 win over Schuylkill Haven in the season opener.