HELLERTOWN — A storm rolled through Saucon Valley before kickoff. Lightning forced Tamaqua off the field during warmups. Even the Raiders’ trip took longer than expected.

A fumbled opening kickoff after a delayed start only added to the chaos. But once the Raiders settled in, they took control and never looked back.

Behind a powerful rushing attack and a defense that pitched a second-half shutout, fifth-seeded Tamaqua overcame a rocky start and several pregame hurdles to defeat No. 4 seed Saucon Valley 22-15 in a District 11 Class 3A quarterfinal Thursday night.

After fumbling the opening kickoff, Tamaqua trailed 7-0 less than 30 seconds into the game — the only time it was behind all night — as the Panthers’ Braden Rohn scored from a yard out.

The Raiders (4-7) didn’t flinch. A long return from Ace Schickram sparked the response, setting up a four-play, 31-yard drive that ended with Terrence McDowell’s 11-yard touchdown run. McDowell also powered in the two-point conversion for an 8-7 lead with 9:47 remaining in the first quarter.

“Yeah, definitely. I think it helped,” said Tamaqua coach Sam Bonner said of his team’s quick answer on offense. “We gave that one up, but we got a really nice offensive drive after it. I think that gave our kids some confidence that first drive.”

Quarterback Chase Serfass helped Tamaqua extend the margin later in the opening period, connecting with Brady McCabe for a 34-yard touchdown. McDowell again added the conversion, giving the Raiders a 16-7 advantage with just over a minute left in the quarter.

Saucon Valley (5-6) answered on its next possession, as Rohn added his second rushing touchdown of the night — a 5-yarder — and Eli Szlachtianshyn ran in the conversion to make it 16-15 with 10:49 to play in the second quarter. The drive was aided by a 43-yard pass from wide receiver Thomas Cahill to Taylor Rohn.

The Panthers threatened again before halftime, but Schickram intercepted a pass in the end zone as time expired to preserve Tamaqua’s one-point edge.

“We really emphasize short memories,” said McDowell. “I was down on myself (after the fumble), but my teammates picked me up. We went right back out and scored, and everyone was locked in.”

McDowell credited conditioning and preparation for the Raiders’ ability to handle the wet, physical conditions.

“Honestly, just conditioning,” he said. “I understood what role I had to take on this year, and every week I’ve just been trying to work for it. Just training throughout the season has gotten me ready and prepared for the games.”

Tamaqua’s defense stayed firm after halftime — and never allowed another point. Saucon opened the third quarter with a drive that reached the Raiders’ 21-yard line, but a field-goal attempt sailed wide.

Tamaqua then countered with its most complete series of the night — a 79-yard march that chewed nearly seven minutes off the clock and ended with McDowell’s 7-yard scoring run to make it 22-15 with 44 seconds remaining in the third.

“As long as we got that stop to start the second half, we felt good,” Bonner said. “Our guys bent a little bit, but they made some plays when they had to.”

Saucon’s next two drives ended in turnovers, as Shawn Chen picked off a pass in the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter, and Schickram later recovered a fumble forced by Luke Fronheiser with just over two minutes to play.

From there, the Raiders’ offense closed it out with McDowell and Malachi Stewart grinding out the final drive with seven rushes combined to seal the victory.

McDowell was again the workhorse, carrying 30 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Stewart complemented him with 93 yards on 15 carries, as Tamaqua piled up more than 260 rushing yards and 330 total yards.

“We just came into practice all week knowing we needed to be good every day,” said Stewart. “We had a good three days, came here, and just left everything in the past and came to play.”

Bonner praised the leadership of his upperclassmen, and the resolve of a young roster that weathered early-season struggles, including a 1-3 start.

“We said to these guys that they had a great opportunity in front of them,” Bonner said. “We were 6-4 last year and didn’t make districts, and now we’re sitting here at 3-7 and we win a playoff game. It shows what happens when you keep working and believe in each other.”

LAST TIME ... The victory marked Tamaqua’s first district playoff win since its 2019 run to the Eastern Final. “This win is really special, especially for our seniors,” said Bonner. “I’m proud of them.”

UP NEXT ... Tamaqua will face top seed and unbeaten Notre Dame Green Pond next Friday in the semifinals at Lafayette College.

LEADING THE WAY ... McDowell entered the game leading the area in both carries and yards at 253 for 1,398 (5.53 yards per carry). He was second among area players in touchdowns with 16.

DE-FENSE ... McDowell also rarely comes off the field, and was lined up against Panthers’ wide out Thomas Cahill Thursday. Cahill set the District 11 record for receptions by a freshman (previously held by Jahan Dotson) and broke the school’s season receiving mark last week. Bonner also credited the play of defensive end Teegan Phillips to keep the Saucon offense in check.

Tamaqua 22, Saucon Vy. 15

Tamaqua 16 0 6 0 - 22

Saucon Valley 7 8 0 0 - 15

SV - B. Rohn 1 run (Sanders kick)

T - McDowell 11 run (McDowell run)

T - McCabe 34 pass from Serfass (McDowell run)

SV - B. Rohn 5 run (Szlachtianshyn run)

T - McDowell 7 run (run failed)