Terrence McDowell ran wild. Tamaqua’s offensive line paved the way. Schuylkill Haven answered with one explosive play after another.

When the dust finally settled on Friday night’s slugfest, the Blue Raiders had their first win of the season.

McDowell erupted for 351 rushing yards and accounted for six touchdowns as Tamaqua piled up 457 yards on the ground and outlasted Schuylkill Haven 40-27 in a cat-and-mouse non-league battle.

The senior workhorse carried the ball 41 times, averaging 8.6 yards per attempt, while quarterback Ace Schickram provided the perfect complement with 109 yards on the ground as Tamaqua (1-1) controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the night.

And it started up front.

Tackles Bryce Nelson and Kaden Krajcirik, guards Dylan Garcia and Carter Trotman and center James Wronski consistently opened running lanes for a Tamaqua offense that attempted just two passes all night, completing one.

The Blue Raiders didn’t need many more.

McDowell opened the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown run before adding another from 6 yards out to help Tamaqua build an early advantage.

Schuylkill Haven (0-2), however, had plenty of explosiveness of its own.

Quarterback Bradyn Diehl connected with Chase Yoder on a stunning 68-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the first half, giving the Hurricanes a jolt heading into the locker room.

That momentum carried into the second half.

Diehl struck again after the break, finding Colton Reber for a 59-yard touchdown that pulled the Hurricanes even at 14.

Suddenly, a game Tamaqua had controlled had turned into a shootout.

McDowell answered.

The senior ripped off a 20-yard touchdown run to put Tamaqua back in front, but Schuylkill Haven’s passing game delivered another haymaker when Diehl found Noah Runkle for a 57-yard touchdown.

Diehl completed just five passes on the night, but those five completions accounted for a staggering 222 yards.

Runkle did most of the damage, hauling in three passes for 159 yards, while Reber added his long touchdown reception.

Tamaqua had a much different formula.

Give the ball to McDowell and let the big guys up front go to work.

McDowell broke loose for another 20-yard touchdown, then added a 9-yard scoring run as the Blue Raiders began to create separation.

But Schuylkill Haven wasn’t finished.

Reber broke free for a 45-yard catch-and-run touchdown to keep the Hurricanes within striking distance, but Tamaqua’s relentless rushing attack eventually proved to be too much.

McDowell added one final touchdown before running in the ensuing conversion, putting the finishing touches on his monster performance and Tamaqua’s 40-point night.

When it was over, McDowell had carried 41 times for 351 yards, while Schickram added 109 yards to give the duo 460 yards on the ground.

The Blue Raiders finished with 457 net rushing yards on 51 attempts and piled up 480 yards of total offense while moving the chains 27 times.

Schuylkill Haven went about its offensive production in almost the exact opposite way.

The Hurricanes managed just 49 yards on the ground but generated 222 through the air, with their three touchdown passes covering 68, 59 and 67 yards.

But Tamaqua’s defense came up with its share of big plays, too.

McDowell added an interception to his massive offensive performance, while Chance Makovec also picked off a pass. Johnathan Kraeuter was among the Blue Raiders who made their presence felt defensively as Tamaqua limited Schuylkill Haven to just six first downs despite surrendering several explosive plays.

In the end, the Hurricanes simply couldn’t get Tamaqua’s offense off the field consistently.

The Blue Raiders ran 51 times, controlled the trenches and leaned on McDowell over and over again.

Schuylkill Haven had its home-run shots.

Tamaqua had a wrecking ball.

And on Friday night, McDowell and the Blue Raiders’ offensive line swung hardest.

Tamaqua 40, Sch. Haven 27

Sch. Haven 0 7 14 0 - 27

Tamaqua 7 7 12 19 - 40

Tam - McDowell 9 run (Godinez kick)

Tam - McDowell 6 run (Godinez kick)

SH - Yoder 68 pass from Diehl (Fessler kick)

SH - Reber 59 pass from Diehl (Fessler kick)

Tam - McDowell 20 run (run failed)

SH - Runkle 67 pass from Diehl (Fessler kick)

Tam - McDowell 20 run (pass failed)

Tam - McDowell 9 run (pass failed)

SH - Reber 45 run (pass failed)

Tam - McDowell (McDowell run)