Things went pretty much as expected in Friday night’s game between Schuylkill Haven and Panther Valley.

Haven, regarded as one of the most powerful Class 2A teams in the state, scored a 54-0 win over Panther Valley — a team still struggling to find itself.

The Hurricanes scored all six times they had the ball in the first half, taking a 48-0 lead into the dressing room.

Panther Valley head coach Mark Lavine concurred that it wasn’t just the mercy rule which kept the score from being even more staggering, but also the mercy shown by Schuylkill head coach Mike Farr.

Farr allowed the Panthers to receive the kickoff in both halves, although the Hurricanes could have taken the second half boot.

He also used his subs for the second half.

“Mike took care of us today by kicking off both halves.” Lavine said. “They could have put any number they wanted to on the board.”

Instead, the Panthers controlled the whole third quarter with the Hurricanes not having a single offensive play.

“They are the real deal,” said Lavine. “I said that at halftime. We knew their team. We knew they are physical. We knew their running backs, and as a team their speed is impressive. When they blitzed, they had a different speed on their blitz.”

Farr said two of his running backs have multiple Division 1 college offers. Quarterback Max Heim is being pursued by several Ivy League schools. Two linemen have offers from Division 2 college schools.

“Panther Valley is only a couple players away,” Farr said. “Mark will get it there. He’s got some good kids. They’ve just got to put it all together.”

Nick Carestia, one of the boys with Division 1 offers for Haven, scored the first two touchdowns. He carried the ball six times in the first half for 78 total yards.

Haven had 14 first downs in the first half to PV’s two.

It wasn’t until midway in the third quarter that the Panthers crossed midfield. The offense never got over the midfield stripe again.

The longest offensive play for PV came in the first quarter when sophomore wide receiver Chase McArdle caught a pass from senior quarterback Brody Breiner for 23 yards.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE ... Panther Valley hosts Marian Catholic next Friday night while Schuylkill Haven travels to Shenandoah.

MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDERS HONORED ... The evening was dedicated to military and first responders. Fire apparatus from Lansford, Coaldale, Summit Hill and Nesquehoning was parked inside the stadium. The aerial trucks from Summit Hill and Lansford formed an arch from which hung a giant American flag over the scoreboard.

A DIFFERENT PLAY ... It’s not often linemen get to touch the ball, except on an interception or maybe a fumble recovery. A pass was deflected and fell into the hands of lineman Spencer Black. He began running as he was cheered on by some players, and was tackled after about three yards. It didn’t count. There was a penalty because he was an ineligible receiver.

Sch. Haven 54, Panther Vy. 0

Sch. Haven 24 24 0 6 - 54

Panther Vy. 0 0 0 0 - 0

SH - Carestia 5 run (Reber run)

SH - Carestia 29 run (Reber run)

SH - Castillo 32 run (Castillo pass from Heim)

SH - Castillo 29 run (Carestia run)

SH - Heim 1 run (Carestia run)

SH - Rossi 22 pass from Heim (Carestia run)

SH - Goad 9 run (run failed)