Boosted by transfer of QB Boyle and rise in numbers, things are looking up for Upper Perkiomen
Plenty of area teams are breaking in new quarterbacks this season, but Upper Perkiomen has the benefit of bringing in an experienced starter.
Mike Boyle’s challenge will be of an entirely different nature.
After spending his first three years of high school at the Perkiomen School, Boyle came over to Upper Perkiomen for his senior year of high school to conclude a terrific high school career that’s seen him start at the quarterback position since 9th grade. His challenge, however, is switching back to conventional, 11-man football after playing 8-man ball at Perkiomen School, where he was named 2021 Keystone State Football League MVP.
“It wasn’t just football,” Boyle said in regard to his transfer, “academically, socially – Upper Perk is the place for me.”
After throwing for almost 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns in eight-man ball a year ago, Boyle’s biggest challenge is getting up to speed in a short time with his new teammates.
‘There’s definitely some learning to do,” he said. “My coaches, my teammates, they’ve all been great in getting me where I need to be.”
One player who figures to help on and off the field is wide receiver Chidike Eruba. The Indians plan to use Eruba’s 6-3 size at wide receiver and defensive end, giving the multi-sport standout chances to shine in his senior year as both an athlete and a team leader.
“I look forward to seeing what we can do this year,” said Eruba. “Every day, it’s been hard work because there’s a lot of young talent, but we are inexperienced.”
Dynamic running back Logan Simmon graduated, leaving room for sophomore Zack Schwartz, who figures to get the first chance in the Tribe backfield. But a host of talented youngsters could challenge for time.
“We have the best numbers in terms of players that we’ve seen in my time here,” said head coach Tom Hontz, the dean among Frontier Division coaches as he enters his ninth season with the Tribe. “With a roster of around 40-50 players, we’ll be in a better position than last year, when we were as low as 26 players for some games.
“Best of all, there are plenty of freshmen and sophomores so we can build into the future. But while we’re talented, we’re very young and raw. We have size, we have ability, and it’s awfully nice to have an experienced quarterback.”
Fullback Eric Romanowski allows Upper Perk to settle into their familiar I-formation approach when needed, but with a QB like Boyle and pass-catching targets like Eruba, the Indians figure to be a more air-based attack than in previous seasons. Whether by ground or by air, leading the way will be an offensive line piloted by seniors Gabe Carducci and Josh Hill.
“I think we’re more balanced on both sides of the ball,” said Carducci. “So far, we’ve made progress on the line both in terms of traditional run blocking as well as pass protection.”
While the two-division format has detracted from some traditional rivalries, that’s not the case with Upper Perkiomen and Boyertown, who have continued to open the season against one another. 2022 will be no different.
“We know we need to be locked in right away,” said Hill.
Hontz says while the team is young overall, his core group of senior leaders offer needed maturity and ability to mentor and guide the youngsters, allowing the Class of 2023 to “leave the program in a better place.” And it starts this Friday against Boyertown.
“Since April, when I text these guys every few weeks I like to write, “[number of] days until Boyertown,” said Hontz. “And that’s the game they aspire toward winning. They’ve had our number more often than not; they’re a big school – but we always circle that game as a key and a great challenge to start our season.”
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