Apaches Start Fast, Finish Strong to Sink Pirates on Senior Night

Pottsville 42, Dover 14

DOVER — Pottsville opened with a flurry and never trailed, racing to a 35-0 halftime lead and decisively closing out Dover 42-14 on Senior Night at Jack Berry Stadium. Quarterback Cort Johnson directed the Apaches with two first‑half touchdown passes—62 yards to receiver Noah Metcalf and a 37‑yard screen to Weston Pool—and added a 1‑yard keeper just before halftime. Running back/linebacker Kaleb Stancil powered the ground game, and sophomore back Kai Mahan started the scoring with a short plunge. Johnson spread the ball to multiple targets throughout efficient drives.

Dover found rhythm late. Quarterback Matthew Krentz kept the chains moving with option reads, receiver/defensive back Sailor Smith broke free for a short scoring run, and running back Jacob Glasspoole added tough yards between the tackles. Two‑way standout Chance Paylor helped steady the Pirates’ front seven.

Pottsville’s defense set the tone early, stringing out perimeter runs and collapsing on interior dives. Stancil, Pool and Penn Helton were active at the second level, limiting explosive plays until the fourth‑quarter surge. The victory locks in momentum as the Apaches head toward postseason play.

Both programs showcased young skill talent—sophomore quarterback Pace Bartlett saw second‑half snaps and handled holding duties for Pottsville, while Krentz and Smith gave Dover a glimpse of what’s ahead. Special teams were clean; the Apaches finished perfect on kicks and consistent in coverage.

Bottom line: Pottsville executed with balance and physicality up front, and Dover finished with pride, answering with two late touchdowns to close the gap in the fourth.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Pottsville – Kai Mahan 2‑yd run (PAT good), Pottsville 7–0.
Pottsville – Noah Metcalf 62‑yd pass from Cort Johnson (PAT good), Pottsville 14–0.
Pottsville – Weston Pool 37‑yd pass from Cort Johnson (PAT good), Pottsville 21–0.

2nd Quarter
Pottsville – Kaleb Stancil 14‑yd run (PAT good), Pottsville 28–0.
Pottsville – Cort Johnson 1‑yd run (PAT good), Pottsville 35–0.

3rd Quarter
Pottsville – Ashton Sellers 28‑yd run (PAT good), Pottsville 42–0.

4th Quarter
Dover – Sailor Smith 6‑yd run (PAT good), Pottsville 42–7.
Dover – Matthew Krentz 2‑yd run (PAT good), Final: Pottsville 42–14.

Players Who Stood Out

• Cort Johnson, QB (Pottsville): 2 TD passes (62, 37), 1‑yd TD run.

• Noah Metcalf, WR (Pottsville): 62‑yd TD reception; vertical threat.

• Weston Pool, WR/LB (Pottsville): 37‑yd TD catch; active defensively.

• Kaleb Stancil, MLB/RB (Pottsville): Rushing TD; multiple tackles inside.

• Sailor Smith, WR/DB (Dover): Fourth‑quarter rushing TD; impact returns.