Schuylkill Haven's offensive line has been a big key to its success. (Photo by Kelly Wiley)

Figures don’t lie. But how the heck do you comprehend a FOOTBALL game with such crazy figures as 72-52.

I thought it was a basketball score.

It was a football game!

Last winter not many teams could score 72 points, but it happened when Schuylkill Haven reached that total last Thursday at Minersville in a slugfest of sorts.

And to think it was played on a grass surface. What would the numbers look like if it were on Haven’s turf? Hate to think it.

Obviously, defense is a lost art in this neck of the woods. Believe me, you better find a way to stall out an offense come the postseason. Anyone that thinks scoring is going to be automatic … nah, nah, she ain’t going to happen often.

The bottom feeders in the Schuylkill League are weak and defenseless. Why? Simple, they don’t have the numbers to create competitive practice sessions. The population base is falling faster than the coming Autumn turning of the leaves; a dearth of participants is the bottom line.

Interestingly enough, Haven and Minersville are packed with numbers, for now. Same at Blue Mountain, Pottsville, Tamaqua, North Schuylkill, Williams Valley and Tri-Valley. Four of those schools are small in overall enrollment.

That’s not taking anything away from the players or any one team. They’re doing their darndest to compete. But when you don’t have numbers, it takes a toll.

How about it Niko

When the scoreboard was rolling in early Thursday evening, one needed a double-take at 45-42. It was only halftime. Where was the defense?

Niko Carestia is one of those great backs that Schuylkill Haven has had in its storied program. He fits the mold: fast, tough and athletic. Any kid that can score seven touchdowns in a game needs to be looked at.

Carestia wasn’t doing it against the sisters-of-the-poor. Minersville is no chop liver. They have of one of the top quarterbacks in the state and some say up and down the East Coast in Dante Carr. Carestia is also getting his share of college looks. How can you not take notice? Both are juniors.

As the one-time great venerable college football broadcaster Keith Jackson would bellow –– Whoa Nellie!

Stay tuned, it’s going to be a rock and roll rush to the finish line for some teams. Jackson would have really been chortling with the halftime numbers: a combined 756 total yards, no punts and 87 points, Jordan Bowers 42-yard field goal to give the Miners a 45-42 lead. Oh, did we tell you: there were 30 first downs.

Scoreboard watching

We can now do some rubbernecking and see what shapes up for Week 6.

The top matchup is Williams Valley at Schuylkill Haven. Interesting contest with the Hurricanes off an emotional victory with Minersville.

Two standout teams. Haven with Carestia and its stable of running backs, while the Vikings have a trio of players who seem to rise to the occasion when the game is on the line.

How good is Northwestern Lehigh? It’s stacked with talent, may make a return trip to the state championship games. Tigers bus into Fountain Springs to take on North Schuylkill. These two programs have been headbangers over the past decade.

Better than advertised

If you are just flying in from Neverneverland and missed the first half of the season, check your iPhone. Tamaqua is for real … so too are Blue Mountain and Nativity.

Tom Gallagher’s Eagles have a good shot at running the table until Week 10. They will tangle with Tamaqua on that final playing date.

The Blue Raiders are in grand position, too. However, they have a pair of big-time games in the final two weekends: Northwestern Lehigh and Blue Mountain. A gauntlet for sure and Tamaqua will be favored before the final two games come into play.

Pat Mason is the man! He has Nativity purring like a finely tuned engine. Mason demands execution and was a bit grumpy at the half at Panther Valley with his team even though the Green Wave was in command 34-0. He is correct, when he said just “execute.”

When Nativity executes it is very good. The Green Wave have thoroughbreds that can run. It is a team that gang tackles and make plays. It will be tested with three straight road games: Mahanoy Area next week, then Minersville and Schuylkill Haven before hosting Marian.