Mercury Area Week 3 Preview: Upper Perkiomen looking for first 2-1 start since 2009; area teams looking to get into win column.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy at Perkiomen School, 4 p.m.

Record: SJCA 0-2 overall; Perkiomen School 0-0 overall.
Last week’s result: SJCA lost to Fairfield 47-15; Perkiomen School DNP.
Wolves Facts/Figures: Wolves, hailing from Boalsburg, have been outscored 101-15 in two losses. Roster size an issue for SJCA as roster on MaxPreps has 18 players listed. Team had 19 players last year.
Panthers Facts/Figures: Nick Guadarrama takes the helm at quarterback for Perk with running back Josh Cruz headlining the team’s returners.
Prediction: Perk School starts strong, wins 49-6.

Boyertown at Pottsgrove, 7 p.m.

Record: Boyertown 0-0 PAC, 1-1 overall; Pottsgrove 0-0 PAC, 1-1 overall.
Last week’s result: Boyertown lost to Exeter 21-14; Pottsgrove defeated Methacton 48-14.
Falcons Facts/Figures: Rahsul Faison rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries in last week’s win over Methacton. … Avery Grant also eclipsed the 100 yard mark, rushing for 124 yards on eight carries. … Falcons lead the league in rushing yards per game (251).
Bears Facts/Figures: Boyertown took a step back in last week’s loss to Exeter. Quarterback Jerry Kapp was limited to -17 rushing yards after rushing for 163 yards in week one. Bears are ranked No. 2 in rushing yards per game (238.5) but have the third-worst defense in PAC in terms of yard allowed (405.5).
Be on the Lookout: Faison and Grant could have another big game against the Bears run defense that has allowed 180 yards per game.
Prediction: Pottsgrove controls the clock and Faison goes over 100 yards. Falcons win 28-14.

Pennridge at Perkiomen Valley, 7 p.m.

Record: Pennridge 0-0 SOL, 1-1 overall; Perkiomen Valley 0-0 PAC, 2-0 overall.
Last week’s result: Pennridge lost to Neshaminy 31-24; Perkiomen Valley defeated Frankford 46-24.
Rams Facts/Figures: Quarterback Jagger Hartshorn has been nearly unstoppable for Rams offense, rushing for 379 yards in first two games with six touchdowns. … Rams’ secondary was exploited against Neshaminy, allowing 266 yards through the air on only nine completions.
Vikings Facts/Figures: Quarterback Stephen Sturm leads the PAC in passing yards (566) while Justin Jaworski leads the league in receiving yards (403) and receiving touchdowns (6). … Vikings defense has allowed 416.5 yards per game the past two contests but leads the league in total offense (436 ypg).
Be on the Lookout: PV’s run game has been slow going so far in 2016, that could change against a Pennridge defense that just saw Neshaminy star running back Will Dogba rack up 144 yards on the ground last week.
Prediction: A loss would put Pennridge in desperation mode early in the season. That won’t happen. Pennridge tops PV in a game that goes down to the wire, 42-38.

Upper Merion at Sun Valley, 7 p.m.

Record: Upper Merion 0-0 PAC, 1-1 overall; Sun Valley 0-0 Ches-Mont, 2-0 overall.
Last week’s result: Upper Merion defeated Martin Luther King 16-12; Sun Valley defeated Pope John Paul II 40-25.
Vikings Facts/Figures: Tyrese Leach ranks fifth in the PAC in rushing yards (177 yards on 28 carries). The next leading rusher is No. 22 (Zach DeSanto with 63 yards). … Vikings rank eighth in PAC in total offense (229 ypg).
Vanguards Facts/Figures: Upper Merion marks the third straight PAC foe for Sun Valley, which has defeated Pottstown and Pope John Paul II in consecutive weeks. … Charlie Wendling leads SV with 107 yards rushing on 18 carries. … Vanguards are outscoring opposition 67-31.
Be on the Lookout: Vikings have allowed 219.5 yards per game on the ground. That might be trouble against a run-heavy Vanguard offense.
Prediction: Hard to figure out what each team has to offer. Sun Valley’s rushing attack may just be too much. Vanguards win 17-14.

Upper Perkiomen at Upper Moreland, 7 p.m.

Record: Upper Perkiomen 0-0 PAC, 1-1 overall; Upper Moreland 0-0 SOL, 1-1 overall.
Last week’s result: Upper Perkiomen defeated Kutztown 44-20; Upper Moreland lost to Phoenixville 33-19.
Indians Facts/Figures: Quarterback Zeke Hallman leads the league in QBR (212) and passing touchdowns (8). He was 6-for-7 for 89 yards and four scores as the Indians ran out to a 30-0 lead against Kutztown last week. … Tyler Whary bounced back after the heat took its toll on the running back in Week 1. He rushed for 183 yards on 12 carries. … Indians are second in the PAC in total offense (394.5).
Golden Bears Facts/Figures: Upper Moreland fell victim to Matt Garcia last week as the Phoenixville back rushed for 170 yards and a score. … UM averaging 13 points per game.
Be on the Lookout: Whary poised for another big night. Also, look for Hallman to throw a bit more than seven times.
Prediction: Upper Perkiomen starts 2-1 for the first time since 2009 with 35-13 victory.

Pope John Paul II at Chichester, 7 p.m.

Record: Pope John Paul II 0-0 PAC, 0-2 overall; Chichester 0-0 Del Val, 1-1 overall.
Last week’s result: Pope John Paul II lost to Sun Valley 40-25; Chichester lost to Kennett 24-12.
Golden Panthers Facts/Figures: Running the ball has been an issue for PJP the first two games, averaging 98 yards per game, third worst in the PAC. … Matt DeLaurentis is fifth in the league in passing yards (328) with one touchdown and two interceptions. … PJP defense has been solid, only allowing 245.5 yards per game.
Eagles Facts/Figures: Eagles come in after compiling only 112 yards of total offense in last week’s loss to Kennett, a far step back from a Week 1 performance that generated 175 rushing yards.
Be on the Lookout: Chichester secondary could be what DeLaurentis needs as Eagles have allowed more than 125 yards passing in both games.
Prediction: PJP gets long-sought victory with 20-12 win.

Oxford at Phoenixville, 7 p.m.

Record: Oxford 0-0 Ches-Mont, 0-2 overall; Phoenixville 0-0 PAC, 1-1 overall.
Last week’s result: Oxford lost to Avon Grove 14-13; Phoenixville defeated Upper Moreland 33-19.
Hornets Facts/Figures: Hornets have been outscored only 38-34 in opening two games. … Team averages 118 rushing yards per game but has allowed two 100-yard rushers in 0-2 start.
Phantoms Facts/Figures: Running back Matt Garcia got a heavy workload in last week’s win over Upper Moreland, rushing for 170 yards on 30 carries and a score. Senior leads the league in rushing yards (283) and attempts (50). … Phantoms are third in the league in rushing yards per game (158.5).
Be on the Lookout: Garcia has two 100-yard rushing efforts under his belt this season. Look for Friday to be his third.
Prediction: All signs pointing in the direction for Phoenixville, which should be riding an emotional high after last week’s win. Garcia has a big day as Phantoms win 24-13.

Pottstown at Bishop Shanahan, 7 p.m.

Record: Pottstown 0-0 PAC, 0-2 overall. Bishop Shanahan 0-0 Ches-Mont, 1-0 overall.
Last week’s result: Pottstown lost to Solanco 36-6; Bishop Shanahan defeated Glen Mills 29-6.
Trojans Facts/Figures: Trojans didn’t get the ball past the 50 until the fourth quarter in last week’s defeat. … Team ranks eighth in rushing yards per game (127), not a good sign for run-oriented offense.
Eagles Facts/Figures: Small sample size for Eagles, who won their opener against Glen Mills. … Quarterback Nick Skulski looked strong, throwing for 204 yards with two touchdowns. … Joe Gueriera ran for 85 yards on 13 carries.
Be on the Lookout: Shanahan defense against Pottstown rushing attack. This game is huge for Trojans in order to overcome lackluster performances in first two weeks.
Prediction: Bishop Shanahan proves to be just too much for Pottstown. Eagles win 35-12.

Owen J. Roberts at West Chester Henderson, 7 p.m.

Record: Owen J. Roberts 0-0 PAC, 1-1 overall; West Chester Henderson 0-0 Ches-Mont, 2-0 overall.
Last week’s result: Owen J. Roberts lost to Great Valley 42-26; West Chester Henderson defeated West Chester Rustin 13-6.
Wildcats Facts/Figures: Quarterback Dawson Stuart ranks fourth in the PAC in passing yards (381) and has thrown four touchdowns to five interceptions. … Wildcat offense averaging 312.5 yards per game. … Defense allowing 280.5 ypg.
Warriors Facts/Figures: CJ Preston leads the team with 187 rushing yards.
Be on the Lookout: Henderson’s undefeated start has certainly raised eyebrows. This game will be another test to prove if they are for real.
Prediction: High from Week 1 to a low on Week 2, Great Valley’s win over OJR may have taken a little too much wind out of the Wildcats’ sails. Hendy wins 28-21.

Spring-Ford at Wilson, 7 p.m.

Record: Spring-Ford 0-0 PAC, 2-0 overall; Wilson 0-0 Lancaster-Lebanon; 1-0 overall.
Last week’s result: Spring-Ford defeated Chester 55-22; Wilson defeated Governor Mifflin 38-7.
Rams Facts/Figures: Rams have allowed PAC best 214 yards per game and 12.5 points per game. … Running back Matt Gibson ranks No. 11 in the PAC in rushing yards (134). … Dan Cassidy ranks first in interceptions (2).
Bulldogs Facts/Figures: Bulldogs outgained Governor Mifflin 394-149 in last week’s win. … Quarterbacks Connor Uhrig and Grayson Kline combined to throw for four touchdowns as Wilson built 31-0 halftime lead.
Be on the Lookout: TJ Pergine. Not his first varsity start, but this test will be the biggest he has faced so far.
Prediction: Huge test for the Rams, one that they pass. Rams win 17-14.

Red Lion at Daniel Boone, 7 p.m.

Record: Red Lion 0-0 YAIAA, 1-0 overall; Daniel Boone 0-0 Berks 1, 0-1 overall.
Last week’s result: Red Lion defeated Waynesboro 38-14; Daniel Boone lost to Northeastern 60-6.
Lions Facts/Figures: Lions have returned GameTimePA Defensive Player of the Year Nick Argento and have replaced all four starters on their secondary from last season. … Week 1 saw Red Lion score 24 unanswered, including 21 fourth-quarter points. … Sam Emig rushed for 146 yards while Dylan Gurreri added 87.
Blazers Facts/Figures: Blazers only had 88 yards of total offense in loss. … Chase Lacey finished with 40 rushing yards on three carries. … Blazers have lost eight straight dating back to last season.
Be on the Lookout: Emig and Gurreri against a Daniel Boone defense that allowed 307 rushing yards last week … could be trouble.
Prediction: Red Lion starts fast and cruises, wins 42-13.

Saturday’s Games

Methacton at Central Bucks East, 11 a.m.

Record: Methacton 0-0 PAC, 0-2 overall; Central Bucks East 0-0 SOL, 2-0 overall.
Last week’s result: Methacton lost to Pottsgrove 48-14; Central Bucks East defeated Hatboro-Horsham 24-6.
Warriors Facts/Figures: Warriors have struggled on both sides of the ball and have been outscored 89-14 in two losses. … Warriors offense ranks last in total offense (100.5 ypg) and defense ranks last in yards allowed (437).
Patriots Facts/Figures: CB East has outscored its opponents 66-13 in first two wins. … Brian Stella rushed for 66 yards on 11 carries in last week’s win over the Hatters.
Be on the Lookout: CB East finished with 172 yards on the ground last week. It could be more against a Warrior defense that’s allowed 592 rushing yards the past two games.
Prediction: Another strong test for Methacton but CB East is too strong. Patriots win 42-6.

Wyoming Seminary at Hill School, 2:30 p.m.

Record: Wyoming Seminary 0-1 overall; Hill School 0-0 overall.
Last week’s result: Wyoming Seminary lost 40-0 to Episcopal Academy; Hill School DNP.
Blue Knights Facts/Figures: Team has gone 2-14 the past two years.
Rams Facts/Figures: Jeff Hollway enters his first season at The Hill after spending the last three at Wyoming Seminary. … Rising sophomore Syre Gruber will take over as starting quarterback for Clayton Oliver (now at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College).
Prediction: Hill School picks up win in debut of Hollway, wins 38-14.

Plymouth-Whitemarsh at Norristown, 4 p.m.

Record: Plymouth-Whitemarsh 0-0 SOL, 1-1 overall; Norristown 0-0 PAC, 0-2 overall.
Last week’s result: Plymouth-Whitmarsh defeated Abington 7-0; Norristown lost to Interior 35-0.
Colonials Facts/Figures: Khan Jamal leads the team with 176 rushing yards … PW has outscored its opponents 21-7 in the second quarter.
Eagles Facts/Figures: Eagles have been outscored 84-20 in first two weeks and have only picked up 13 first downs. … Team ranks ninth in total offense (187) and 11th in rushing yards (50.5 per game).
Be on the Lookout: Heat. Temperatures will hover around 92 degrees Saturday and the heat index on the turf field will reach 100. Game time has been moved back from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. but will still have a major impact.
Prediction: PW adds another win, tops Eagles 17-6.