Lehighton’s solid and youthful golf team is trying its best to make a statement in the chase for the Schuylkill League Division I title.

The Indians needed to stay the course Thursday at treacherous Mountain Valley Golf Course, but most importantly be focused.

To be sure, the Indians did more than that, dominating Division I rivals Tamaqua and Pottsville in a tri-meet.

Lehighton has now set itself up for a huge showdown match on Monday at Olde Homestead Golf Course against perennial power Blue Mountain.

Racking up a team score of 354, Lehighton was never threatened by the Blue Raiders (406) or the Crimson Tide (434). All that could have frayed the Indians was Mother Nature.

A late summer rainstorm blew through the course, and things were shortened considerably with a formula worked out to account for all golfers scoring.

“We only played 12 holes,” Lehighton head coach Mark Maholick noted after the heavy rains forced both teams off the course. “There was no way the kids could play through the heavy rains. We have a formula we use when you get conditions like we had.”

For certain, one of the league’s top golfers and a District 11 qualifier last fall, the Indians’ Jack Lorenz may have had a better score, even though he was credited with a 76 based on the adjusted scoring format.

“He has really worked very hard this summer, and his scores are starting to show,” Maholick said. “Right now we’re getting a few guys shooting in the 80s and lower, but we need a fourth golfer to shoot that type of score in order to have a really chance at winning the division, or at least making a good run at Blue Mountain.”

In addition to Lorenz, the Indians continue to get a big lift from Aaron Miller, who was credited with scoring a 78. Trey Spring carded a 92, followed by Kurtis Gustufson at 108.

“Aaron has really come into his own this season,” Maholick said. “With Jack and Aaron giving those type of low numbers, it gives us a chance to be really good.”

SOLID START

... Lehighton improved to 4-1 in the league and 4-2 overall after dropping a nonleague decision this past week to Palmerton.

“We’re going to practice over the weekend and get ready to play Blue Mountain,” Maholick said. “These kids have little pressure on themselves; they just go out and play and enjoy the fun.”

SCORES, PLEASE

... Tamaqua’s Brad Miller led his team, carding a 94. He was followed by Nick Behr’s 96 as the Blue Raiders earned a split with a 410-434 win Pottsville. David Troutman posted a score of 96 to lead Pottsville.

Lehighton 354, Tamaqua 406, Pottsville 434

LEHIGHTON

Jack Lorenz 76, Aaron Miller 78, Trey Spring 92, Kurtis Gustufson 108.

TAMAQUA

Nick Behr 94, Brady Miller 96, Peter McGinley 108, Makenna Miller 112.

POTTSVILLE

David Troutman 96, Ryan Matlock 102, Dominick Chiccini 112, Tyler Diehl 114.

Match played at Mountain Valley Golf Course.