Perkiomen Valley 9-2: The Vikings really turned things around the last three years rolling out 8-3, 10-3 and 9-2 records (27-8 cum, 17-16 previous three) while becoming relevant not only in the PAC but also in the postseason. Here they advanced to the district semifinals against North Penn in 2013, losing 40-19. Then last season saw them lose a heartbreaker at Downingtown East in the first round, 27-24 on a 25-yd Cougar field goal as time expired. The turnaround expressed itself on both sides of the ball with the offense scoring 36, 36 and 39ppg from 2012 through 2014. It’s the PAC and all, where offenses never saw a defense they didn’t like but that’s still big stuff. Defensively they allowed a year ending 21, 10 and 13ppg average. Clearly, this is not your mother’s Perkiomen Valley with a smattering of D1 players evident in Collegeville and throughout the league. Rasaan Stewart, now at Villanova, graduated with the 10-3 team after throwing for 2078 yards (26 Tds) while rushing for 1204 yards (17 Tds). He finished his career with 4448 passing yards and 2954 rush yards. Last year’s defensive end/running back Taiyir Wilson (6-3, 230) will play at Temple. The best of coaches will tell you you need to have the players and the Vikings evidently do.
Last season saw a proliferation of young talent, mostly sophomores as quarterback Stephen Sturm (6-2, 185, jr) got his first varsity start in the opener against Council Rock North. Falling behind 22-0, the Vikings came storming back in a losing 29-27 effort. Despite the loss, the sophomores really shined, with Sturm completing 15 of 27 passes for 193 yards and throwing 3 touchdowns. His favorite target, another sophomore, Justin Jaworski (6-0, 170, jr), caught six passes for 62 yards while sophomore running back David Williams (5-9, 160, jr) rushed for 114. Although an opener, it had momentous consequences since it prevented CR North from going 5-6 and missing the district playoffs and the Vikings from having an undefeated regular season. Who said “hey, it’s just one game?” Other sophomores making major contributions were linebacker Nick Marren (6-0, 185, jr) and placekicker Garrett Patla. Sophomores Jaworski and Williams also started in the secondary.
Offensively, the line loses five who started (both ways), Darrell Philpot (6-3, 245), Andrew Narducci (5-10, 200), Seth Jonassen (6-3, 285), Dan Roh (6-2, 265) and TE Bobby Pagel (6-4, 195). John Tittle (6-0, 255, sr) and Anthony Rohrnach (6-4, 260, sr) are returning starters. As mentioned, Quarterback Stephen Sturm, a leftie, is back after completing 104 of 190 passes (55%) for 1661 yards. His Td-Pik ratio was 17 to 5. Nice stats for a first year starting sophomore. David Williams is back after rushing for 435 yards with Ronnie Arch (5-8, 170, sr) who had 352 yards on 49 carries. Top receiver wide out Justin Jaworski is back with 39 catches for 586 yards.
Defensively, the line needs replaced (Jonassen, Wilson, Philpot, Roh) along with linebackers Brett Capobianco (6-2, 185), and Ryan O’Donnell (5-10, 175). The secondary loses Liam Grande (6-1, 185) and Mike Holland (6-2, 175). Tim Mallon (6-0, 160) and Sean Sedgwick (5-8, 160) also graduated. Linebackers Ryan Light (6-0, 175, sr) and Nick Marren return with DL T.J. Foley (5-10, 200, jr) and corners Williams and Jaworski mentioned above in the secondary.
They lost under rated offensive and defensive lines that could go with most teams in the area making that the priority concern entering the 2015 season. The schedule is a little front loaded with the road opener at Council Rock North followed by the home opener against Methacton, then the road game at Pottsgrove. In the end, the schedule makers got it right, literally, with a season ending game at Spring Ford. But, how about that opener with one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Brandon McIlwain facing off against what could be the new kid on the block. Should be a good one.
Spring Ford 7-3: Spring Ford had a record setting offense last year scoring 41ppg while having another successful season with a 7-3 record, Coach Chad Brubaker’s fifth straight winning season since taking over in 2010. This comes as no surprise knowing his pedigree is Wilson High in West Lawn where he was Wide Receivers/Special Teams coach from 1998 to 2005 before becoming the O/C and Wide Receivers coach from 2006 to 2009. He coached with one of the winningest coaches in the state in Jim Cantafio (Conestoga Valley, Wyoming Valley West, Cedar Cliff) and present coach Doug Dahms. His won-loss through five seasons with the Rams is 41-11 (78%), not quite as good as the 85% winning percentage while OC at Wilson but not bad. Although last year brought them considerable success, finishing second in the PAC at 7-2 with Methacton and Pottsgrove (two behind Perk Val), they failed to make Districts after a four year run in the postseason where they impressed. In Coach’s second year in 2011, they got to the first round where they were handled, by Coatesville’s Matt Ortega also from District-3, 60-28. The Rams were wildly improved but got a good lesson about speed. Subsequent seasons and results show this was addressed in many areas. The following season suggested real progress with a 31-20 win against Whitehall (8-3, 8-1) who went on to share the LVC (now EPC-South) with Parkland and Easton. In 2012, a PAC team beating an LVC team was heady stuff! For those paying attention, the game against Whitehall hinted at a new day in southeastern PA, borne out in the playoffs that year when they beat Ridley 28-26, and Pennridge 35-24 before losing again to Coatesville in the district final 59-28. The following year saw them beat Downingtown West 43-21 in the first round before losing to Neshaminy 56-27. So, in the span of Coach’s first four years, they were playing with and beating Whitehall, Ridley, Pennridge and Downingtown West. Woe to anyone taking the PAC lightly with coaches like Chad Brubaker, Scott Reed at Perkiomen Valley and Rick Pennypacker at Pottsgrove who few have taken lightly over the years..
Having said all that, last year’s team was not prime time stuff, losing to all the quality teams played except Methacton (8-3) who they crushed 49-20. The losses came to Perkiomen Valley (9-2) 20-7, Pottsgrove (8-4….not really their best stuff) 35-29 and State College (6-7) 34-20 in the season opener. State’s 6-7 record can mislead knowing ten of their opponents ended the year above .500 and that three of the losses came to Central Dauphin (11-3) 10-7, Central Dauphin East (10-3) 14-12 and Cumberland Valley (9-3) 13-0 before losing in the PIAA quarterfinals to Pine Richland 49-29.
Like Perk Val, Spring Ford is overhauling their lines with the loss of Zach Dorsey (6-2, 285, Ship), Scott Smiley (5-10, 215), Joe Goul (6-0, 225), Nate Schoeck (6-3, 265) and TE Bryce Rhodenbaugh (6-2, 195). Lost a good one under center in Brandon Leacraft (6-0, 180) who completed 126 of 219 for 1893 yards. His completion percentage was 58% with a stellar Td-Pik ratio of 24 to 3. He signed on with Univ of Iowa Track and Field (Div-1, Outdoor, currently ranked 50th, FL # 1, Penn State 15th..State!). That’s a loss but with Brubaker’s Wilson roots (Kerry Collins, Chad Henne) you know they’ll always be a quarterback in the wings waiting his turn so look for Stone Scarcelle (6-2, 180, jr, good pt last year) to fill in well for Leacraft. Their lead receivers also graduated in Branden Barone and Danny Matthews who combined for 53 receptions for 1250 yards. But they’re fine there coming in as they did last year with an abundance of receivers. And all their running backs return, all sophomores last year; Matt Gibson (5-8, 155, jr) who got 744 yards on 108 attempts, Selwyn Simpson (6-2, 195, jr) who rushed for 582 yards on 65 carries and Matt Booth (5-7, 150) who rushed for 86 yards on 16 carries. With a good sized sophomore class moving up, they should be able to manage the O-line losses.
Last year’s team came in looking to replace all eleven defensive starters but that’s not the case this year with at least 8 back. The schedule is amenable beginning with a great home opener against State College who like Spring Ford will be breaking in a new quarterback on a team otherwise well stocked for a successful season. Then comes Phoenixville, Upper Perkiomen, Boyertown and Methacton. All the major teams in the conference and out must come to Royersford including State High, Pottsgrove, and Perkiomen Valley. State will be a tough one (but winnable) with running back Jordan Misher back after scorching them for 228 yards last year. The Lions pounded out 456 total yards of “O” in that one and return eight to the “D”. Very cool seeing Coach schedule a Mid Penn Conference team, their old nemesis conference from the Wilson days who will again battle the Lancaster-Lebanon League (Wilson, Manheim Twp, Hempfield, called the LL) for District-3 honors this year. And it’s a great opportunity to view Mid Penn-Commonwealth Conference football. I can tell you its big boy football with mega bodies everywhere who will compete for the MP-Commonwealth along with Central Dauphin, CD East, Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg High. Misher will run behind Wade Bonsell 6-1, 275, Doug Swoboda 6-3, 300, Mark Weakland 6-3, 275 and Will Swope 6-6, 270. Pottsgrove graduated their principle skill people at QB, RB and WR but when have graduations slowed this program who haven’t had a losing season since 2002. Then comes Perkiomen Valley who should again field a powerful offense, powerful enough to trade points “early” until the defense develops. This one could be for all the PAC marbles.
Last season saw a proliferation of young talent, mostly sophomores as quarterback Stephen Sturm (6-2, 185, jr) got his first varsity start in the opener against Council Rock North. Falling behind 22-0, the Vikings came storming back in a losing 29-27 effort. Despite the loss, the sophomores really shined, with Sturm completing 15 of 27 passes for 193 yards and throwing 3 touchdowns. His favorite target, another sophomore, Justin Jaworski (6-0, 170, jr), caught six passes for 62 yards while sophomore running back David Williams (5-9, 160, jr) rushed for 114. Although an opener, it had momentous consequences since it prevented CR North from going 5-6 and missing the district playoffs and the Vikings from having an undefeated regular season. Who said “hey, it’s just one game?” Other sophomores making major contributions were linebacker Nick Marren (6-0, 185, jr) and placekicker Garrett Patla. Sophomores Jaworski and Williams also started in the secondary.
Offensively, the line loses five who started (both ways), Darrell Philpot (6-3, 245), Andrew Narducci (5-10, 200), Seth Jonassen (6-3, 285), Dan Roh (6-2, 265) and TE Bobby Pagel (6-4, 195). John Tittle (6-0, 255, sr) and Anthony Rohrnach (6-4, 260, sr) are returning starters. As mentioned, Quarterback Stephen Sturm, a leftie, is back after completing 104 of 190 passes (55%) for 1661 yards. His Td-Pik ratio was 17 to 5. Nice stats for a first year starting sophomore. David Williams is back after rushing for 435 yards with Ronnie Arch (5-8, 170, sr) who had 352 yards on 49 carries. Top receiver wide out Justin Jaworski is back with 39 catches for 586 yards.
Defensively, the line needs replaced (Jonassen, Wilson, Philpot, Roh) along with linebackers Brett Capobianco (6-2, 185), and Ryan O’Donnell (5-10, 175). The secondary loses Liam Grande (6-1, 185) and Mike Holland (6-2, 175). Tim Mallon (6-0, 160) and Sean Sedgwick (5-8, 160) also graduated. Linebackers Ryan Light (6-0, 175, sr) and Nick Marren return with DL T.J. Foley (5-10, 200, jr) and corners Williams and Jaworski mentioned above in the secondary.
They lost under rated offensive and defensive lines that could go with most teams in the area making that the priority concern entering the 2015 season. The schedule is a little front loaded with the road opener at Council Rock North followed by the home opener against Methacton, then the road game at Pottsgrove. In the end, the schedule makers got it right, literally, with a season ending game at Spring Ford. But, how about that opener with one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Brandon McIlwain facing off against what could be the new kid on the block. Should be a good one.
Spring Ford 7-3: Spring Ford had a record setting offense last year scoring 41ppg while having another successful season with a 7-3 record, Coach Chad Brubaker’s fifth straight winning season since taking over in 2010. This comes as no surprise knowing his pedigree is Wilson High in West Lawn where he was Wide Receivers/Special Teams coach from 1998 to 2005 before becoming the O/C and Wide Receivers coach from 2006 to 2009. He coached with one of the winningest coaches in the state in Jim Cantafio (Conestoga Valley, Wyoming Valley West, Cedar Cliff) and present coach Doug Dahms. His won-loss through five seasons with the Rams is 41-11 (78%), not quite as good as the 85% winning percentage while OC at Wilson but not bad. Although last year brought them considerable success, finishing second in the PAC at 7-2 with Methacton and Pottsgrove (two behind Perk Val), they failed to make Districts after a four year run in the postseason where they impressed. In Coach’s second year in 2011, they got to the first round where they were handled, by Coatesville’s Matt Ortega also from District-3, 60-28. The Rams were wildly improved but got a good lesson about speed. Subsequent seasons and results show this was addressed in many areas. The following season suggested real progress with a 31-20 win against Whitehall (8-3, 8-1) who went on to share the LVC (now EPC-South) with Parkland and Easton. In 2012, a PAC team beating an LVC team was heady stuff! For those paying attention, the game against Whitehall hinted at a new day in southeastern PA, borne out in the playoffs that year when they beat Ridley 28-26, and Pennridge 35-24 before losing again to Coatesville in the district final 59-28. The following year saw them beat Downingtown West 43-21 in the first round before losing to Neshaminy 56-27. So, in the span of Coach’s first four years, they were playing with and beating Whitehall, Ridley, Pennridge and Downingtown West. Woe to anyone taking the PAC lightly with coaches like Chad Brubaker, Scott Reed at Perkiomen Valley and Rick Pennypacker at Pottsgrove who few have taken lightly over the years..
Having said all that, last year’s team was not prime time stuff, losing to all the quality teams played except Methacton (8-3) who they crushed 49-20. The losses came to Perkiomen Valley (9-2) 20-7, Pottsgrove (8-4….not really their best stuff) 35-29 and State College (6-7) 34-20 in the season opener. State’s 6-7 record can mislead knowing ten of their opponents ended the year above .500 and that three of the losses came to Central Dauphin (11-3) 10-7, Central Dauphin East (10-3) 14-12 and Cumberland Valley (9-3) 13-0 before losing in the PIAA quarterfinals to Pine Richland 49-29.
Like Perk Val, Spring Ford is overhauling their lines with the loss of Zach Dorsey (6-2, 285, Ship), Scott Smiley (5-10, 215), Joe Goul (6-0, 225), Nate Schoeck (6-3, 265) and TE Bryce Rhodenbaugh (6-2, 195). Lost a good one under center in Brandon Leacraft (6-0, 180) who completed 126 of 219 for 1893 yards. His completion percentage was 58% with a stellar Td-Pik ratio of 24 to 3. He signed on with Univ of Iowa Track and Field (Div-1, Outdoor, currently ranked 50th, FL # 1, Penn State 15th..State!). That’s a loss but with Brubaker’s Wilson roots (Kerry Collins, Chad Henne) you know they’ll always be a quarterback in the wings waiting his turn so look for Stone Scarcelle (6-2, 180, jr, good pt last year) to fill in well for Leacraft. Their lead receivers also graduated in Branden Barone and Danny Matthews who combined for 53 receptions for 1250 yards. But they’re fine there coming in as they did last year with an abundance of receivers. And all their running backs return, all sophomores last year; Matt Gibson (5-8, 155, jr) who got 744 yards on 108 attempts, Selwyn Simpson (6-2, 195, jr) who rushed for 582 yards on 65 carries and Matt Booth (5-7, 150) who rushed for 86 yards on 16 carries. With a good sized sophomore class moving up, they should be able to manage the O-line losses.
Last year’s team came in looking to replace all eleven defensive starters but that’s not the case this year with at least 8 back. The schedule is amenable beginning with a great home opener against State College who like Spring Ford will be breaking in a new quarterback on a team otherwise well stocked for a successful season. Then comes Phoenixville, Upper Perkiomen, Boyertown and Methacton. All the major teams in the conference and out must come to Royersford including State High, Pottsgrove, and Perkiomen Valley. State will be a tough one (but winnable) with running back Jordan Misher back after scorching them for 228 yards last year. The Lions pounded out 456 total yards of “O” in that one and return eight to the “D”. Very cool seeing Coach schedule a Mid Penn Conference team, their old nemesis conference from the Wilson days who will again battle the Lancaster-Lebanon League (Wilson, Manheim Twp, Hempfield, called the LL) for District-3 honors this year. And it’s a great opportunity to view Mid Penn-Commonwealth Conference football. I can tell you its big boy football with mega bodies everywhere who will compete for the MP-Commonwealth along with Central Dauphin, CD East, Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg High. Misher will run behind Wade Bonsell 6-1, 275, Doug Swoboda 6-3, 300, Mark Weakland 6-3, 275 and Will Swope 6-6, 270. Pottsgrove graduated their principle skill people at QB, RB and WR but when have graduations slowed this program who haven’t had a losing season since 2002. Then comes Perkiomen Valley who should again field a powerful offense, powerful enough to trade points “early” until the defense develops. This one could be for all the PAC marbles.
