Pope John Paul II relishing role of underdogs

UPPER PROVIDENCE — There is optimism and then there is realism.

The coaches and players at Pope John Paul II High are optimistic heading into the 2015 campaign, positive they’re going to be a better team by season’s end.

But the Golden Panthers also realize that by season’s end, they’re unlikely to be placing the Pioneer Athletic Conference football championship plaque into the school trophy case.

That doesn’t mean, however, the team cannot have fun, work hard and perhaps throw a monkey wrench or two into the PAC works.

“Our goal is to get better every day and every play,” said Panthers head coach Rory Graver. “We’re not really worried about Spring-Ford, Perk Valley, Pottsgrove or any of them.

“What we want to be is better on each snap.”

Graver said the off-season, weight-room attendance was at an all-time high and that the team is stronger in both body and spirit.

As for the results, the Panthers understand they will likely not be favored in any game they play. But their collective goal is not necessarily to make the postseason.

“We all know we’re seen as underdogs,” said senior running back Andrew Salvo. “We use that to fuel ourselves.

“We want to show the local area we’re not the same old PJP.”

To that end, the Panthers will utilize a defense that is high risk, high reward.

The goal is to get as many helmets to the ball as possible, utilizing speed and numbers instead of size and skill.

And on a team that boasts only eight seniors, that means the team will need many underclassmen to play beyond their experience level.

“Our team is small and young,” said senior Jared Lupold, whose duties include wideout, free safety, punter and kick returner. “We’re preparing our young players as hard as we can.

“A lot of our underclassmen are going to have to step up. We’ll need them.”

Top Photo: Pope John Paul II football team working on defense. (John Strickler/The Mercury)