Boyertown, Spring-Ford soccer programs banding together to honor drowning victim

They may be among the top rivals in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, but the soccer programs at Boyertown and Spring-Ford are finding a way to team up this season.

Boyertown and Spring-Ford are joining together in tribute of Jacob Karnchanaphati, of Gilbertsville, who tragically died when he fell into French Creek July 1. Karnchanaphati, 12, loved soccer and played for Boyertown Soccer Club. He was to be a seventh grader at Boyertown East.

The Boyertown and Spring-Ford boys and girls soccer teams will play a pair of doubleheaders this season with fundraising efforts taking place for the Jacob Karnchanaphati Memorial Award. Each June, the award in Karnchanaphati’s name will assist the college pursuits of a graduating Boyertown boy and girl soccer player who demostrate academic achievement and participation in community service.

The first doubleheader is set for Tuesday at Boyertown, the boys’ game kicking off at 5:30 p.m. followed by the girls at 7:15 p.m. The second feature is set for Oct. 13 at Spring-Ford. The event came together after Boyertown girls coach Bill Goddard and Spring-Ford girls coach Tim Leyland put their heads together in an effort to honor Karnchanaphati.

Karnchanaphati will be honored between games, with his parents, Chris and Michelle Karnchanaphati, and grandfather, Joe Boyer, accepting a donation to the scholarship fund.

There will also be a 50-50 raffle with proceeds benefitting the scholarship.