SHENANDOAH - Just a few short weeks ago, with uncertainty abound, no one was even sure games would be played.

COVID-19 was and is a concern. Despite that, the scholastic football season is underway. There are unusual rules and more questions than answers. But at least for the time being, there is football.

There was also a lot of fun to be had for Tamaqua in Friday night’s season opener. Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, the Blue Raiders dominated Shenandoah Valley, rolling to a 49-7 victory.

The Blue Raiders hardly skipped a beat from their 2019 season, which included a District 11 title and a deep run in the state playoffs, piling up yardage by the tons and scoring touchdowns at will.

Tamaqua was paced by the sensational running of Nate Curvey, who had a monster of a night, rushing for 169 yards on 13 carries. Curvey delivered time and again en route to hitting the end zone twice on runs of three and six yards to ignite his senior season.

Tailback Logan Hess wasn’t too shabby either. The senior speedster cashed in for two early scores to start the touchdown production on runs of one and four yards, then in the second quarter he scooted three yards for a score. Hess totaled 83 yards on nine touches.

In all, Tamaqua rang up 399 yards rushing.

“It’s a good way to start the season,” said Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner. “We had some things to iron out, we got a lot of pluses from our offensive line, and what can I say about the great running of Nate and Logan; they both compliment one and other.”

Tamaqua got a pair of touchdowns by Hess and a team safety in the first quarter. On the Raiders first possession, they drove 83 yards, avoiding an early slipup when the Blue Devils’ defense seemed stout, momentarily dropping a four-yard loss on a run play, and stuffing a second run.

But a pass interference penalty was exactly what the Raiders would need to get on track. Curvey entered and roared 45 yards, added a 24-yard run to the three before Hess cashed in with a one-yard dive. Then Sophia Boyle, sister of one of last season’s stars Nate Boyle, booted the first of her five-straight PATs. On its second possession, Tamaqua rang up a 62-yard drive with Hess burning off runs of 10, 12, 20 and the final four to hit the end zone for a 14-0 lead

Tamaqua’s defense forced a three-and-out, but when Shenandoah Valley failed on bad snap to the punter, the ball sailed out of the end zone for a two-point safety making it 16-0. Before the second quarter would end, the Raiders pushed the margin to 37-0. Curvey would cap a 5-play 45-yard drive on a three-yard run.

Isaac Curvey was the right man in the right place when he picked up a midair fumble by quarterback Nate Wickersham, racing the final 20 yards to paydirt. That drive was 47 yards on one play, then Hess pranced the final three yards capping an eight-play, 75-yard march.

There was never a doubt on the winner, and Tamaqua quickly finished strong as Curvey hit the end zone to open the third quarter before Connor Dillion added the final six with a six-yard run.

The lone Shenandoah Valley score came when quarterback Owen Kosar flicked a five-yard touchdown pass to Joey Vevasis and Kosar added the PAT.

“We knew there were going to be bumps in the road and this is a marathon not a sprint,” said Shenandoah Valley coach Ed Moran said. “Tamaqua is a high-profiled team with quality players and good coaching… we can build off of this.”

SENIOR NIGHT

…. Shenandoah Valley held senior night for all of its athletes. It seems crazy, but no one is certain if another football game gets played and COVID puts things on the back burner again.

SOLID FOOTING

… The Raiders will be a winner this season. How many times? Depends on how fast the youngsters and rookies grab hold. Their first impression was a good one.