Schuylkill Haven coach Mike Farr directs a practice at Rotary Field (Photo by Leroy Boyer)

Schuylkill Haven’s football history is filled with sensational, record-breaking running backs.

Jason Killian … Zack Barket … Kobe Brish … All three are listed in the top 10 in either rushing yards or touchdowns in the Pennsylvania state record books.

But which backfield is the best in Haven history?

The Dave Clevinger, Scott Bracey tandem in the 1970s?

Killian and Jeff Zimmerman in 1991?

The Danny Lozada, Matt Kalyan, Mike Kalyan, Preston Gehring, Brish group of 2016?

Head coach Mike Farr has the answer: The one he’s got right now.

The Hurricanes return a “three-headed monster” in the backfield this season, as seniors Niko Carestia, Niko Castillo and junior Colton Reber are back after combining to rush for 4,645 yards and 67 touchdowns a year ago.

Combined with a new quarterback and a big, veteran offensive line, that trio hopes to run Schuylkill Haven back to the District 11 Class AA championship game for the third year in a row.

“This is the best backfield we’ve ever seen at Schuylkill Haven,” said Farr, entering his 21st year as the Haven head coach. “And we’ve had some really good backfields. Teams have had two decent or two really good running backs at Haven, but never three.

“Any of those three guys could easily be 2,000-yard-plus rushers on any other team.”

Carestia, a 5-foot-10, 205-pound bulldozer, led the area in rushing yards (2,702), rushing touchdowns (38), total touchdowns (40) and scoring (286) a year ago as the Hurricanes went 11-2 and lost to Williams Valley in the 11-AA title game. He was also third in the area defensively in tackles with 127.

Reber, the speedster of the group, rushed for 1,114 yards and 17 TDs on just 84 carries, averaging 13.3 yards every time he touched the ball.

Castillo, perhaps the most muscular player on the team at 6-2, 220, finished with 829 yards and 12 touchdowns on 72 carries, averaging 11.5 yards per carry.

They were the cornerstones of a wing-T offense that averaged 395.2 yards rushing per game, 11.2 yards per carry and led the area in scoring at 50.7 points per game.

“I think all three of those guys are in the best shape of their lives,” Farr said. “The most impressive thing about those guys is the way they block for each other. To me, that’s the most impressive.

“They are very unselfish. They know our success is a team effort. (Carestia) gets all the publicity because in the wing-T he’s the centerpiece, but all three of them at any time can take it to the house.”

Haven’s three-monster follows an offensive that returns four starters from a year ago, two of which tips the scales at over 300 pounds.

Seniors Chase Williams (6-3, 342) and Wyatt Keefer (6-3, 320) form the right side of the line, with senior center Ethan Kline (6-0, 280) and junior tackle Brody Brand (6-0, 225) also returning. Triston Davis (6-1, 245), a standout linebacker last season, will step in at left guard to replace the graduated Brian Moran.

Farr thinks the combination of his backfield and offensive line can produce numbers never seen before in Haven history.

“Up front, they’re in great shape. Chase Williams looks unbelievable at 340,” Farr said. “This year I’m hoping to break the 6,000-yard mark. If you think about 6,000 yards in a season, that’s pretty crazy, but I think we can do it.”

Schuylkill Haven at a Glance

Head coach: Mike Farr (21st season, 139-94)

2024 Record: 11-2, District 11 Class AA runner-up

Conference: Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division

3 Key Players to Watch

Niko Carestia, senior RB/LB

Niko Castillo, senior RB/LB

Wyatt Keefer, senior OL/DL

3 Key Newcomers to Watch

Max Heim, senior QB/LB

Carlos Rodriguez, junior WR/DB

3 Key Graduation Losses

Leyden Hertz, WR/DB

Adam Malinoski, TE/DE

Brian Moran, OL/DL

Key Position Battles in Camp

Free safety

Heim takes the reins at QB

The Hurricanes return seven starters on offense and nine on defense. Replacing two-way starter and standout kick returner Leyden Hertz will be tough, but Davis, junior tight end Chase Leibensperger and senior receiver Blake Rossi will fill the holes on offense, while sophomore Logan Goad steps into the defensive secondary.

The biggest newcomer is under center, where Blue Mountain transfer Max Heim takes over the controls. At 6-5, 240 pounds, Heim is an imposing presence with a strong arm. How quickly he gets acclimated to the offense and the way he handles the running game could determine Haven’s success.

“Max keeps getting better every day,” Farr said. “It’s not flawless, it’s a lot of change in a short amount of time. At least he was around last year to learn terminology and get a basic set in his mind for the game. It looks simplistic, but it really isn’t.

“He’s come along well and really gelled with the guys.”

Schuylkill Haven has never been a passing team and that won’t change this year with Heim at the helm. But what Heim offers is another offensive element that defenses must consider. He’ll definitely be an upgrade over a passing offense that completed just 21-of-43 yards for 312 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Rossi, Castillo and Reber figure to be Heim’s top targets when the Hurricanes do throw the ball.

“He’ll do his part,” Farr said. “He can make all the throws. So when we call on him to get into the passing game we’re expecting him to deliver. Just like we expect everyone to deliver in the run game, we expect him to deliver in the pass game.

“I’m sure he’s up to the challenge. He’s gotten himself in way better shape than he was when he got here. He’s put in a lot of hard work to be a part of this.”

Dandy Defense

As much as Farr likes to talk offense, he gets really excited when he talks about this year’s defense.

Williams, Keefer and Kline are an imposing front three, with senior Aaron Gilbert off the edge, Carestia, Heim, Davis and Castillo at linebacker and some combination of Reber, Goad, senior Adam Balulis and sophomore Bradyn Diehl in the secondary.

Davis, who grew from 190 pounds to 245, had 92 tackles last season. The maturity of Goad and Diehl gives defensive coordinator Frank Gaffney plenty of depth to work with.

The Hurricanes were second in the area in points allowed last season at 16.5, pitching three shutouts.

“We just have to play football and have fun, go around and make plays,” Farr said. “As much as these guys like playing offense, they really, really like playing defense.

“We have to make teams earn it. We can’t give teams easy shots down the field. We’re working on that back end and making good progress.”

Schuylkill Haven’s Schedule

(All games start at 7 p.m.)

Friday, Aug. 22 — at Blue Mountain

Friday, Aug. 29 — at Panther Valley*

Friday, Sept. 5 — at Shenandoah Valley*

Friday, Sept. 12 — Mahanoy Area*

Thursday, Sept. 18 — Minersville*

Friday, Sept. 26 — at Williams Valley*

Friday, Oct. 3 — Marian*

Friday, Oct. 10 — Pine Grove*

Friday, Oct. 17 — at Nativity*

Friday, Oct. 24 — Tri-Valley*

* Schuylkill-Colonial league game

Schuylkill Haven’s Roster