PV’s Jaworski brushes off drops with monstrous Week 2 performance

September 5, 2016

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He had caught six passes for 132 yards in Week 1’s win over Downingtown West.

Good for any receiver, but a stat that doesn’t appear in the box score made Perkiomen Valley’s Justin Jaworski the target for some ribbing from former and current coaches: three drops.

“That bothered me all week,” the senior wideout said. “Coaches teased me all week. Coach Reed (former PV head coach Scott Reed) even called and let me hear about it.”

After his performance in Week 2’s dominating 46-24 over Philadelphia Public League’s Frankford, expect the teasing to cease.

Jaworski shattered the school record for receiving yards in a game, hauling in 14 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns as the Vikings overcame their near-collapse in Week 1 to start the season 2-0 for the second consecutive season.

Quarterback Stephen Sturm, who admitted he and Jaworski weren’t at their best after the Vikings nearly let a 28-point lead to Downingtown West slip away in Week 1, rebounded with a 19-for-25, 329-yard performance. He tossed four touchdowns (all to Jaworski) and sits atop the PAC leaderboard in passing yards (566).

“Me and Sturm talked and we didn’t like the way we finished last week and we wanted to make a statement,” Jaworski said. “We didn’t play well and we wanted to show why we’re still one of the best teams in the league.”

It took a half to make that statement, the duo already putting up more than 200 yards passing and receiving in building a 36-18 halftime lead. Week 2 marked the fifth occurrence that Sturm passed for more than 300 yards and the sixth that Jaworski finished with more than 100 yards receiving since last season.

For first-year head coach Rob Heist, who’s been with the program for nearly a decade, it’s certainly a sight to behold.

“It’s awesome to seem them (Jaworski and Sturm) play at the level they played on Friday,” Heist said. “They are two special players who know each other really well and always know where each of them are going to be on the field. I’m lucky to have both of them.”

Jaworski now sits atop the PAC leader list in receptions (20), receiving yards (403) and touchdown receptions (6). Upper Perkiomen’s Ryan Kendra is second to him in all those categories (14 receptions for 252 yards; five touchdowns).

Notable Debut

He didn’t suit up in Week 1’s loss to West Catholic.

Now, after his Week 2 showing, Pottsgrove running back Rahsul Faison has announced his presence.

Faison, a transfer student from Archishop Carroll, was lights out in Friday’s contest against Methacton, running for a PAC-best 212 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 15.1 yards per carry and broke runs of 43 yards and 71 yards to carry the Falcons to their first win of the season.

Zeke Cruising

At the beginning of the season, Upper Perkiomen head coach Tom Hontz said that senior quarterback Zeke Hallman was ready to be a top-flight QB in the PAC.

After two weeks, Hontz was right.

Hallman leads the league in passer rating (216.2) and has shined in the team’s 1-1 start, throwing for 392 yards and a PAC-best eight touchdowns. More importantly, Hallman has protected the football: he’s thrown zero interceptions. Putting his numbers in perspective, Hallman threw 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions in 2015.

Rams, Rams, Rams

Spring-Ford led the league in total defense last season. This season the Rams’ ‘D’ is looking strong again. The Rams have allowed a PAC-best 12.5 points per game in their 2-0 start. Senior defensive lineman Tanner Romano has stood out, recording a team-best 12 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks.

Steady as he Goes

Phoenixville offensive lineman Jon Miller had a goal for the O-line this season: produce a 1,000-yard rusher.

After two weeks, those chances are certainly looking good.

Phoenixville’s Matt Garcia has emerged as the league’s leading tailback after two weeks, and for good reason. Garcia was a bright spot in the Phantoms’ 38-0 loss to Great Valley in Week 1, rushing for 113 yards on 20 carries. He continued his strong start in Week 2, rushing for 170 yards on 30 carries with a score in the team’s 33-19 victory over Upper Moreland.

The senior tailback now has a PAC-best 283 rushing yards on 50 carries.

State Rankings

Pennsylvania Football News released its weekly 6A state rankings with St. Joseph’s Prep the unanimous No. 1 pick. North Penn is No. 2, Neshaminy No. 4 with Perkiomen Valley and Wilson each getting votes.