Morris’ Two Touchdowns Help Pottsville Stay Unbeaten

Pottsville 42, H.G. Haskell  14

Eli Morris scored on a 50-yard reception and an 80-yard kickoff return, and Pottsville’s defense produced five takeaways Friday in a 42–14 victory at Haskell Harmony Grove.

The Apaches improved to 3–0 by scoring 42 unanswered points after Harmony Grove took a first-quarter lead. Pottsville recovered four fumbles, returned one for a touchdown and added Andrew Bradley’s third-quarter interception.

Harmony Grove established the early lead with a defensive stop and a quick strike. Brayden Belk sacked Cort Johnson on Pottsville’s opening possession, helping force a punt. Ace Garcia then broke through the middle for a 51-yard touchdown with 5:46 left in the first quarter.

The Cardinals protected that 7–0 advantage with two red-zone fumble recoveries. Pottsville’s defense kept the deficit at seven, including a stop that forced Harmony Grove to punt from deep in its territory early in the second quarter.

Pottsville tied the game on Penn Helton’s one-yard touchdown with 3:25 remaining in the half, completing a 65-yard drive. Helton gained a first down on an option pitch early in the possession, and Tyson Thacker later carried to the 1 to set up the score. Luke Rust recovered a loose ball during the drive to maintain possession.

Only 46 seconds later, the Apaches had the lead. Keaton Ashmore knocked the ball loose from quarterback Cash Potter, and Dawson Parker collected it for a 25-yard touchdown return. Jhostin Molina’s extra point made it 14–7.

Another fumble recovery gave Pottsville the ball near midfield. On third-and-10, Johnson used a play-action fake and found Morris behind the secondary for a 50-yard touchdown with 37 seconds left. The Apaches scored three touchdowns in the final 3:25 of the half to lead 21–7.

Morris extended the lead on the first play after halftime. He fielded the kickoff at the 20, accelerated up the left sideline and cut inside the final defender for an 80-yard touchdown. Pottsville led 28–7 just 12 seconds into the third quarter.

Parker stopped Garcia for a two-yard loss on Harmony Grove’s next possession. Bradley then intercepted Potter and returned the ball to the Cardinals’ 40. Kai Mahan finished the ensuing possession with a touchdown run around the edge, making it 35–7 with 6:56 left in the third.

Rust added a two-yard tackle for loss early in the fourth quarter, and Ashmore broke up a third-down pass before Pottsville regained possession on downs.

Johnson threw his second touchdown pass with 7:40 remaining, connecting with Jax Holland for 36 yards after a pump fake. Holland also stopped Lane Beaty’s third-quarter kickoff return at the Harmony Grove 43. Molina converted all six extra points.

Harmony Grove finished with a touchdown drive featuring carries by James Foster and Garcia. Jackson Estes scored from one yard out as time expired, completing the Cardinals’ final possession.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

• 5:46 — Harmony Grove: Ace Garcia, 51-yard touchdown run. Kick good. Harmony Grove 7–0.

Second quarter

• 3:25 — Pottsville: Penn Helton, one-yard touchdown run. Jhostin Molina kick. Tied 7–7.
• 2:39 — Pottsville: Dawson Parker, 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Molina kick. Pottsville 14–7.
• 0:37 — Pottsville: Eli Morris, 50-yard touchdown pass from Cort Johnson. Molina kick. Pottsville 21–7.

Third quarter

• 11:48 — Pottsville: Morris, 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Molina kick. Pottsville 28–7.
• 6:56 — Pottsville: Kai Mahan, touchdown run. Molina kick. Pottsville 35–7.

Fourth quarter

• 7:40 — Pottsville: Jax Holland, 36-yard touchdown pass from Johnson. Molina kick. Pottsville 42–7.
• 0:00 — Harmony Grove: Jackson Estes, one-yard touchdown run. Kick good. Pottsville 42–14.

Players Who Stood Out

• Eli Morris, Pottsville: Scored two touchdowns—a 50-yard reception with 37 seconds left before halftime and an 80-yard return of the second-half kickoff.
• Cort Johnson, Pottsville: Threw touchdown passes of 50 yards to Morris and 36 yards to Holland. The first came on third-and-10.
• Dawson Parker, Pottsville: Returned a fumble 25 yards for the go-ahead touchdown and tackled Garcia for a two-yard loss in the third quarter.
• Keaton Ashmore, Pottsville: Forced the fumble Parker returned for a touchdown and broke up a third-down pass in the fourth quarter.
• Andrew Bradley, Pottsville: Intercepted Potter in the third quarter, setting up the possession that ended with Mahan’s touchdown.
• Jax Holland, Pottsville: Caught a 36-yard touchdown pass and stopped Beaty’s kickoff return at the Harmony Grove 43.
• Ace Garcia, Harmony Grove: Scored the game’s first touchdown on a 51-yard run through the middle.
• Brayden Belk, Harmony Grove: Recorded a sack on Pottsville’s opening possession, helping force the punt that preceded Garcia’s touchdown.