POTTSVILLE - Lehighton’s football team was hoping to make a statement on Friday evening at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Pottsville, on the other hand, was looking for its first win after back-to-back lopsided losses to start the season.

The Crimson Tide finally got their first win of the season, beating the Indians 28-7.

The Indians couldn’t take advantage of an early onside kick. They drove deep into Pottsville territory but the drive fizzled at the 12-yard line.

“We wanted some momentum, we thought we played a great game last week, we had some opportunities, but we just couldn’t capitalize,” Tom McCarroll said.

Not taking Pottsville for granted, McCarroll felt a quick strike would be a bonus for the Indians. Instead, when Pottsville put together a 7-play short field drive that came about on a short punt at the Lehighton 43, the Tide scored when quarterback Kole Becker found Tsirell Curry free for a 12-yard touchdown.

Then Pottsville got another break - a Lehighton fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave the Tide the ball at the Indians 31. It took seven plays to score again with Becker sneaking in from a yard out with 61 seconds to play in the first half and a 14-0 lead

“We put the ball on the ground they go in and score,” McCarroll said. “Those are things as a young team we can ill afford to do. I mean, we can live life with being down seven, but when they got that second score, it made it tough for us.”

Pottsville made it even tougher for the Indians with 8:17 left in the third quarter.

With the ball at the Pottsville 16, Becker went back to pass, looked to a streaking Letrel Montone, but the pass seemed destined for an interception with two Indian defenders right there. The ball deflected into the hands of Montone, who raced to the end zone for an 84-yard touchdown.

“What can one say, we’re in perfect possession, then something like that happens,” McCarroll said.

The Tide hit the end zone one more time when McFarland raced seven yards for a score with nine minutes to play for a four-touchdown spread.

The Indians marched 61 yards with Joe Roth latching on to a 33-yard strike from Brady O’Donnell for their lone touchdown.

QUOTEABLE ... “We’ve got to grow as a team, we’ve got to mature ... I believe in these kids.” McCarroll said.

OOPS ... A turnover late in the first half put the dampers on the Indians who were well within striking distance of the Crimson Tide.

I’VE GOT IT ... The deflected touchdown pass to Montone was an unlucky break. But much credit goes to the Pottsville receiver as he stayed with the play.

DEFENSE, DEFENSE ... The Indians can be a very tough defensive club. The down linemen are active, physical and can put a hurting on a running back.