Schuylkill Haven's defense gets ready for a play during Saturday's District 11 Class AA semifinal against Northern Lehigh at Rotary Field (Photo by Leroy Boyer).

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Schuylkill Haven’s big and powerful offensive line kept creating big holes for the Hurricanes’ running game on every play.

It led to another monstrous night for Colton Reber.

The junior tailback rushed 10 times for 395 yards and five touchdowns as Schuylkill Haven rolled past Northern Lehigh 60-7 in a District 11 Class AA semifinal at Rotary Field.

The victory advances the top-seeded Hurricanes (12-0) to Friday’s district final at 7 p.m. at Blue Mountain. They’ll meet Williams Valley, which outgunned Minersville 56-35 in the other semifinal.

“It’s the guys up front that open the door for our running game,” Schuylkill Haven coach Mike Farr said. “Did you see those holes? Reber was untouched on two of those touchdown runs.

“I’m very proud of those guys. They did a tremendous job. Our guys up front are great leaders.”

The Hurricanes’ front five of Chase Williams, Wyatt Keefer, Ethan Kline, Triston Davis and Brody Brand dominated line of scrimmage from start to finish. Schuylkill Haven rushed for 545 yards and only ran 23 offensive plays.

In the first half, it seemed the Hurricanes scored on every play.

Reber opened the scoring on a 5-yard run. His two-point conversion run quickly made it 8-0.

Northern Lehigh (8-4) answered as Garrett Smoyer hit Collin Karetsky for a 15-yard touchdown pass to slice the lead to 8-7.

On Haven’s next play, Reber got to the edge and raced 76 yards for a touchdown to put Haven up 16-7.

Northern Lehigh finished the game with a 57-23 advantage in plays run, but the Hurricanes outgained the Bulldogs 571-241.

“I did not get a lot of carries tonight,” Reber said. “I just hit the holes as fast as I can and just went. I just got to do what I got to do to win these big games. It was a great night.”

An interception by Blake Rossi set up Haven’s next score, a 44-yard run by Niko Castillo. Reber’s third touchdown, a 69-yard run, upped Haven’s lead to 32-7 early in the second quarter.

Haven’s lead stretched to 40-7 at intermission when Max Heim connected with Castillo for a 26-yard touchdown. It was the only time Haven attempted a pass the entire game.

“Max Heim can make every throw in the universe,” Farr said. “We only threw one time because we needed to in that situation, but Max can make every throw when needed and that showed with that touchdown pass to Castillo.”

Reber raced 80 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the third quarter to trigger a running clock, then scored again on a 69-yard run on Haven’s next possession.

His big night upped Reber’s season totals to 2,663 yards and 45 touchdowns. According to District 11 statistician Duke Helm, Reber’s per-carry average of 39.5 yards Saturday is a District 11 single-game record.

“Colton’s a great running back, so is Castillo and Logan Goad,” Farr said. “They are all great running backs, but we would not have this success without the guys up front.”

Up big in the fourth quarter, Farr pulled his starters, but that did not stop the Hurricanes from scoring again.

Goad, a sophomore, scored on a 19-yard touchdown run to give Haven its second straight game scoring 60 or more points in the District 11 playoffs.

The final result is a matchup with Williams Valley in the District 11 title game for the third straight season and their sixth clash in the past two seasons.

Schuylkill Haven has won all three regular-season meetings over the past three years, including 43-29 this season in Williamstown. The Vikings, however, have won the past two District 11 titles.

“Nothing at practice is going to change this week,” Farr said.  “We are going to continue to do the same things we always do. I’m glad we have this opportunity to play again. They are a great football team.”

Game Summary

District 11 Class AA Semifinal

Schuylkill Haven 60, Northern Lehigh 7

Northern Lehigh (8-4)       0       7       0       0       — 7

Schuylkill Haven (12-0)     24     16     13     7       — 60

SH — Reber 5 run (Reber run)

NL — Karetsky 15 pass from Smoyer (Hanna kick)

SH — Reber 76 run (Reber run)

SH — Castillo 55 run (Reber run)

SH — Reber 69 run (Reber run)

SH — Castillo 26 pass from Heim (Reber run)

SH — Reber 80 run (Fessler kick)

SH — Reber 69 run (attempt failed)

SH — Goad 19 run (Fessler kick)

Team Statistics

NL-SH

First Downs —- 11      13

Rushes-Yards — 31-71      22-545

Passes —- 14-26-1      1-1-0

Passing Yards —- 170      26

Total Yards —- 241      571

Fumbles/Lost —- 2-1      3-0

Penalties — 1-5      6-55

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: Northern Lehigh — Rothrock 9-23 Smoyer 9-20, Newhard 9-16, Lectora 4-12. Schuylkill Haven— Reber 10-395, Castillo 6-89, Goad 3-54, Yoder 3-7.

PASSING: Northern Lehigh —- Smoyer 14-26-1, 170. Schuylkill Haven—- Heim 1-1-0, 26

RECEIVING: Northern Lehigh— Lectora 6-83, Zambo 5-48, Vargas 2-46, Karetsky 1-15. Schuylkill Haven— Castillo 1-26.

INTERCEPTIONS: Schuylkill Haven— Rossi