Pottsgrove 8-4: 8-4 doesn’t look like it but for the Falcons, last year was their worst season in nine years in terms of wins and losses. Before that they were on an incredible run. In 2005, they went 7-4, losing to Boyertown (5-6), Owen J. Roberts (5-6) Hatboro Horsham (6-6) and Phoenixville (10-2). Thereon, from 2006 through 2013, they went 87-17, 84%..!..with double digit winning seasons in all but one season, 2006’s 8-3 outing. Their conference won-loss was 64-8, 89%..!.. with conference crowns in 2008 (9-0), 2009 (9-0), 2012 (9-0) and 2013 (9-0). Their record in the postseason for the same period is 13-7 with district final appearances in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011, winning Districts in 2009 and 2011.
Although last year may have been an anomaly, they were not bereft of talent. Quarterback Torin Verdone completed 61% of his passes (80 of 129) for 1403 yards and rushed for 431 yards, second on the team in rushing. Running back Devon Fink (1st Team PAC) rushed for 1182 yards as their top runner while Mike Fowler caught 44 passes for 945 yards to lead in that department. All three graduated but almost everyone else returns. The same on defense where almost everyone returns. But they did lose two of their top players, OL/DT Patrick Finn (6-4, 265, 1st Team PAC, Bucknell) and CB Mike Fowler (6-0, 185, 1st Team PAC).
Part of the reason they had a less than stellar season was their youth. They played very few seniors and because they only lost eleven to graduation, they should show marked improvement if Deyon Doctor (6-3, 170, sr) can fill in for Verdone under center. The schedule opens in the city against Benjamin Franklin High (11-1), the Public League Champ who went undefeated until losing to St. Joseph’s Prep (11-3) in the District-12 final, 47-22. The Electrons were the real deal last year, returning 19 of 22 starters from a 9-3 team. When they walloped Pottsgrove in the opener last year at Pottsgrove 41-7 you knew something was up in both camps. What fueled them in large part was quarterback Kevin Caldwell (5-9, 185) having a tremendous season, throwing for 3155 yards and 41 touchdowns. His career totals show him over 4400 yards (counts defunct Communications Tech) with 65 touchdowns. What a year and career! He graduated along with many others giving the Falcons every chance of success in that one. Then it’s Pope John Paul II again on the road before the home opener against Perkiomen Valley which should be a war. Phoenixville and Upper Perkiomen follow so a good start is possible before the road game at Spring Ford in week # 6.
Boyertown 5-5: All in all you have to say last year was a success for first year coach George Parkinson, integrating new systems while keeping their heads above water at 5-5 in a competitive conference. Coach has a solid bio, coaching at St. Pius X as an assistant from 2004 to 2005 before seizing the reins in 2006 until the school closed in 2009. That was the year Pius (8-6) rolled over Calvary Christian Academy (9-2, Philadelphia) in the PIAA District 1/12 sub-regional championship 34-0. Running back Mike Matthews had 254 yards rushing in that one. They lost the following week to Tri Valley (10-5) 27-24 but what a year. From 2010 through 2013, he coached the freshman at Boyertown East, before moving to the varsity last year. Prior to his arrival the program was headed by Mark Scisly from 2008 to 2013 where he fashioned a 37-32 record. So it looks like the program is in good hands knowing Coach Parkinson’s connections to both Boyertown East (8-0-1 his last year) and West. Incidentally, Coach Scisly took over the slumping Northampton program in the EPC-South that went 14 and 43 five years preceding his arrival. It’s still hard times for the Konkrete Kids who struggled last year at 3-9 losing to the principal players of the area, Parkland, Easton, Freedom, Stroudsburg, Whitehall and Liberty (combined won-loss 57-17) by an average score of 39-7.
Back to Boyertown; Coach stepped into the debris of a decent 7-4 team, tasked with rebuilding their lines while graduating quarterback Griffin Pasik and All-League running back Cody Richmond (5-11, 190, 1612ry-Ursinus). 5 and 5 is 5 and 5 but they showed character, winning a few tight ones that changed the course of the season beating Owen J. Roberts 15-14 and Phoenixville 13-7 in overtime. After the season opening shutout in Reading losing to Exeter 28-0, they bounced back on the road against arch rival Upper Perkiomen, winning 29-15.
For the coming season, senior quarterback Lawrence Garnett (6-1, 190) returns for his second year as a starter after throwing for 554 yards (44%) and rushing for 665 yards. He and Evan Gianetti (6-1, 165, jr) battled through game one last year before Garnett got the nod. Hunter Vogels is back at running back that was essentially a committee of four last year. The receiver corps is gone but the D returns starters up front in Mike Banks (6-2, 310, sr, 28 tackles), Colin Shane (6-3, 240. Jr, 13 tackles), David Terry (6-2, 245, sr, 19 tackles), Zach Davis (6-1, 215, sr, 13 tackles) and DE Greg Harvey (6-0, 210, sr, 42 tackles). Pat Ricci (6-0, 185, jr, 15 tackles) is back at MLB with a few experienced backers and Chris Berry (5-9, 155, jr, 25 tackles) at corner where they look strong with a lot of experience returning. Of note, the Bear’s D improved last year from 32ppg yield to 24. But the O plummeted from 34ppg to 18, yet they still won five games. Things should get interesting in Coach Parkinson’s second year.
Although last year may have been an anomaly, they were not bereft of talent. Quarterback Torin Verdone completed 61% of his passes (80 of 129) for 1403 yards and rushed for 431 yards, second on the team in rushing. Running back Devon Fink (1st Team PAC) rushed for 1182 yards as their top runner while Mike Fowler caught 44 passes for 945 yards to lead in that department. All three graduated but almost everyone else returns. The same on defense where almost everyone returns. But they did lose two of their top players, OL/DT Patrick Finn (6-4, 265, 1st Team PAC, Bucknell) and CB Mike Fowler (6-0, 185, 1st Team PAC).
Part of the reason they had a less than stellar season was their youth. They played very few seniors and because they only lost eleven to graduation, they should show marked improvement if Deyon Doctor (6-3, 170, sr) can fill in for Verdone under center. The schedule opens in the city against Benjamin Franklin High (11-1), the Public League Champ who went undefeated until losing to St. Joseph’s Prep (11-3) in the District-12 final, 47-22. The Electrons were the real deal last year, returning 19 of 22 starters from a 9-3 team. When they walloped Pottsgrove in the opener last year at Pottsgrove 41-7 you knew something was up in both camps. What fueled them in large part was quarterback Kevin Caldwell (5-9, 185) having a tremendous season, throwing for 3155 yards and 41 touchdowns. His career totals show him over 4400 yards (counts defunct Communications Tech) with 65 touchdowns. What a year and career! He graduated along with many others giving the Falcons every chance of success in that one. Then it’s Pope John Paul II again on the road before the home opener against Perkiomen Valley which should be a war. Phoenixville and Upper Perkiomen follow so a good start is possible before the road game at Spring Ford in week # 6.
Boyertown 5-5: All in all you have to say last year was a success for first year coach George Parkinson, integrating new systems while keeping their heads above water at 5-5 in a competitive conference. Coach has a solid bio, coaching at St. Pius X as an assistant from 2004 to 2005 before seizing the reins in 2006 until the school closed in 2009. That was the year Pius (8-6) rolled over Calvary Christian Academy (9-2, Philadelphia) in the PIAA District 1/12 sub-regional championship 34-0. Running back Mike Matthews had 254 yards rushing in that one. They lost the following week to Tri Valley (10-5) 27-24 but what a year. From 2010 through 2013, he coached the freshman at Boyertown East, before moving to the varsity last year. Prior to his arrival the program was headed by Mark Scisly from 2008 to 2013 where he fashioned a 37-32 record. So it looks like the program is in good hands knowing Coach Parkinson’s connections to both Boyertown East (8-0-1 his last year) and West. Incidentally, Coach Scisly took over the slumping Northampton program in the EPC-South that went 14 and 43 five years preceding his arrival. It’s still hard times for the Konkrete Kids who struggled last year at 3-9 losing to the principal players of the area, Parkland, Easton, Freedom, Stroudsburg, Whitehall and Liberty (combined won-loss 57-17) by an average score of 39-7.
Back to Boyertown; Coach stepped into the debris of a decent 7-4 team, tasked with rebuilding their lines while graduating quarterback Griffin Pasik and All-League running back Cody Richmond (5-11, 190, 1612ry-Ursinus). 5 and 5 is 5 and 5 but they showed character, winning a few tight ones that changed the course of the season beating Owen J. Roberts 15-14 and Phoenixville 13-7 in overtime. After the season opening shutout in Reading losing to Exeter 28-0, they bounced back on the road against arch rival Upper Perkiomen, winning 29-15.
For the coming season, senior quarterback Lawrence Garnett (6-1, 190) returns for his second year as a starter after throwing for 554 yards (44%) and rushing for 665 yards. He and Evan Gianetti (6-1, 165, jr) battled through game one last year before Garnett got the nod. Hunter Vogels is back at running back that was essentially a committee of four last year. The receiver corps is gone but the D returns starters up front in Mike Banks (6-2, 310, sr, 28 tackles), Colin Shane (6-3, 240. Jr, 13 tackles), David Terry (6-2, 245, sr, 19 tackles), Zach Davis (6-1, 215, sr, 13 tackles) and DE Greg Harvey (6-0, 210, sr, 42 tackles). Pat Ricci (6-0, 185, jr, 15 tackles) is back at MLB with a few experienced backers and Chris Berry (5-9, 155, jr, 25 tackles) at corner where they look strong with a lot of experience returning. Of note, the Bear’s D improved last year from 32ppg yield to 24. But the O plummeted from 34ppg to 18, yet they still won five games. Things should get interesting in Coach Parkinson’s second year.
