Helton scores twice, blocks punt in Pottsville victory

Pottsville 48, Charleston 7

POTTSVILLE — Penn Helton rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on three carries and blocked a punt as Pottsville defeated Charleston 48-7 Friday.

The Apaches scored on all seven first-half possessions, building a 41-0 lead with five touchdowns and two Jhostin Molina field goals.

After forcing a three-and-out, Pottsville drove 41 yards in six plays. Quarterback Cort Johnson finished with a touchdown run, and Molina’s extra point made it 7-0 with seven minutes left in the first quarter.

Pottsville recovered a fumble at Charleston’s 6 on the next possession. Kai Mahan scored on the following snap for a 14-0 lead.

Helton’s 52-yard touchdown run made it 21-0 with 2:32 left in the quarter. Trigg Coffman then forced a fumble, and Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Eli Morris, extending the lead to 28-0.

Helton blocked a second-quarter punt to give Pottsville possession at Charleston’s 15. Molina finished that possession with a 28-yard field goal at 8:42.

After the Apaches stopped Charleston on fourth down, Helton scored on the next snap for a 38-0 lead with 6:13 remaining. Morris returned a punt to Charleston’s 41, and Molina kicked his second field goal as the half ended.

Johnson added a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Molina’s sixth extra point made it 48-0 and gave him 12 points for the game.

Charleston answered with a scoring drive that included Finn Schmalz’s third-and-four conversion on a direct snap. Kaden Smothers finished with a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, followed by Matteo Gaona’s extra point.

Schmalz finished with 71 rushing yards on 11 carries and two catches for 18 yards. Charleston’s defense stopped Pottsville short on fourth-and-goal with 19 seconds remaining, and the Tigers had possession when time expired. Pottsville improved to 2-0 with the victory in its home opener.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Pottsville — Cort Johnson touchdown run (Jhostin Molina kick), 7:00. Pottsville 7, Charleston 0.

Pottsville — Kai Mahan 6-yard touchdown run (Molina kick), 5:29. Pottsville 14, Charleston 0.

Pottsville — Penn Helton 52-yard touchdown run (Molina kick), 2:32. Pottsville 21, Charleston 0.

Pottsville — Eli Morris touchdown pass from Johnson (Molina kick). Pottsville 28, Charleston 0.

2nd Quarter

Pottsville — Molina 28-yard field goal, 8:42. Pottsville 31, Charleston 0.

Pottsville — Helton touchdown run (Molina kick), 6:13. Pottsville 38, Charleston 0.

Pottsville — Molina field goal as time expired. Pottsville 41, Charleston 0.

3rd Quarter

Pottsville — Johnson 9-yard touchdown run (Molina kick). Pottsville 48, Charleston 0.

4th Quarter

Charleston — Kaden Smothers 1-yard touchdown run (Matteo Gaona kick). Pottsville 48, Charleston 7.

Players Who Stood Out

• Penn Helton, Pottsville, running back: Three carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns, including a 52-yard score. Blocked a punt to set up Molina’s 28-yard field goal.
• Cort Johnson, Pottsville, quarterback: Two rushing touchdowns and one touchdown pass. Opened the scoring, connected with Morris for a first-quarter touchdown and added a 9-yard touchdown run in the third.
• Jhostin Molina, Pottsville, kicker: Two field goals and six extra points for 12 points. Made a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter and another field goal on the final play before halftime.
• Eli Morris, Pottsville, wide receiver: One touchdown reception. His second-quarter punt return to Charleston’s 41 set up the possession that ended with Molina’s second field goal.
• Finn Schmalz, Charleston, running back: 11 carries for 71 yards, two catches for 18 yards and four tackles. Converted third-and-four on a direct snap during Charleston’s touchdown drive.