PAC Season Preview: PAC title picture runs through Perkiomen Valley, Spring-Ford

The area’s best rivalry took yet another twist last season.

Perkiomen Valley rode a stifling defense and multi-faceted offense to their first win over rival Spring-Ford in three years, and rode that momentum to their fourth PAC title since the league went to a two-division system in 2016.

In fact, the ‘Battle of the Horns’ has determined the league champion each year within that same time frame. The Liberty Division is 6-for-6 with Perkiomen Valley claiming last year’s title plus all three from 2016-2018, with a two-year Spring-Ford reign mixed in between (2019-2020).

Is this the year for a Frontier breakthrough? And if not, could the Liberty Division see some new challengers to the throne?

First, the reigning champs: Perkiomen Valley traditionally starts off with a challenging nonleague slate, and 2022 isn’t any different. Penn Wood, Downingtown West, and Roman Catholic visit Thomas J. Keenan Stadium while the Vikings travel to Cheltenham – all before the PAC slate opens.

These contests will provide ample opportunities for senior quarterback Danny Koehler to get acclimated in his first year under center, while developing cohesion with returning All-Area performers Ryan Klimek (RB) and Michael Poruban (WR).

Defensively, the Vikings welcome a host of newcomers prepared to perfect the 3-3-5 ‘stack’ system against the area’s best offenses, a list that figures to include Spring-Ford, as sophomore Matt Zollers moves into the full-time quarterback role this year, where he’ll enjoy natural chemistry with first-team All-Area tight end (and older brother) Zach Zollers, moving to wide receiver this season. Will Fish and Gage Swanger plan to factor into a diverse Rams attack behind an experienced offensive line that returns four starters from last year’s District playoff-qualifying squad.

SF’s defense figures to feature the same names, with Zach Zollers, Fish, and Swanger serving as senior leaders respectively on the line, at linebacker, and in the secondary. Luke Pajovich and Mike Bendowski provide further experience to what may otherwise be a younger unit this season.

The list of potential upstarts has to start with Owen J. Roberts, who boast the division’s lone returning full-time starter behind center in senior Michael Reed. Reed, starting QB since his sophomore year, will work behind an experienced line of his own to get the ball to weapons including WR Danny Cashman, while Hunter Rhoads looks to fill the void left by last year’s PAC leading rusher, Avrey Grimm.

The Wildcats’ defense, led by defensive end and UConn commit Brandon Kelley, is fueled by the memories of lopsided losses against the top two teams last season and endeavors to ensure things are different this year.

“All through the winter, the spring, that’s been an emphasis,” said two-way lineman Christian Gregory. “When we train, those games are what pushes us.”

One of the lesser-known changes in the PAC this year happens at Methacton, where the Warriors drop a level in classification to 5A. Given a few near misses for playoff contention in 6A the past few years, the change could be the difference in returning to districts for the first time in recent history. After consecutive .500 seasons, the Warriors hope to make the leap forward behind new quarterback Michael Wolbers and running back Tyler Weil-Kaspar, who averaged over eight yards a carry before seeing his season end due to injury in 2021.

Methacton’s defense should be a strength, with seniors Tyler Deal, Josh Cancro, and Jake Chapman returning in starting roles.

It’s a new start at Boyertown, where Justin Konnick takes over for TJ Miller on the sideline and plans to install some different looks on both sides of the ball. A front seven with both size and experience will key the Bears as they battle the prolific offenses throughout the Liberty Division, while coach Joe Milligan and Norristown look to build on the momentum of their two-game winning streak at the end of last season following eight consecutive losses.

Over in the Frontier, Pope John Paul II is the team to beat, having captured the last two titles (2019 and last year, with 2020’s season nullified by the pandemic.) They’ll attempt to three-peat under the tutelage of new boss Scott Reed, who previously helmed Perkiomen Valley for a dozen seasons through 2015. Reed inherits a motivated group of Golden Panthers, who despite last year’s Frontier Division title missed the District 1-4A playoffs on a power ratings tiebreaker.

Almost inarguably the best non-playoff team in all of District 1 a season ago, PJP carries a chip on their collective shoulders into this year. They’ll need it to hold off Pottsgrove, the team with the most returning talent in the area. Coach Bill Hawthorne expressed excitement over the pure size of the roster (60-plus players; a luxury in Class 4A) while the players themselves have both past success (a trip to last year’s district title game) and motivation (a lopsided loss to Pope John Paul II a year ago) on their side.

Senior Amir Brunson (729 yards rushing, nine TDs in ‘21) and junior Bryce Caffrey combine to form the area’s – and maybe District One’s – top kick return duo, as the pair returned a total of five kickoffs and punts for scores a year ago. All-Area performers Dominic Demeno and Mark White return to anchor both the offensive and defensive lines.

Looking for a sleeper? The Frontier Division’s filled with them, starting with last year’s surprise playoff qualifiers from Phoenixville. Quarterback Ty Romance is back along with do-everything offensive weapon Ahmid Spivey, PAC Frontier first-team receiver Hayden Tenbroeck and second-team running back Sam Moore, and they get to work behind an offensive line that the Phantoms swear will be improved, despite the departures of All-Area performers Roman Ciavarelli and Solomon Ortiz. Jamie Gray, Jr., Danny Aselton, and sophomore Andrew Kirk make up an imposing defensive line.

Or maybe you prefer a team with a new offensive philosophy, in which case Upper Perkiomen and new quarterback Mike Boyle are the team for you. Fresh off three years of eight-man football at the Perkiomen School, Boyle comes to Upper Perk after winning the 2021 Keystone States Football League MVP Award with 21 TD passes. Coach Tom Hontz, long a disciple of the smashmouth school of offensive football, says the offense will be more multi-dimensional in order to best utilize Boyle’s abilities.

Lastly is the sleeper with ‘something to prove’ in Upper Merion, a team whose 4-6 record last season could’ve easily been reversed – or perhaps better – with stronger second-half play. Late collapses cost the Vikings throughout 2021, leaving the team in the unenviable position of traveling to eventual District 1-5A champion Strath Haven in the first round of the playoffs.

In his second year at the helm, coach Davis Chubb points to senior leadership and increased familiarity as two of the reasons he expects marked improvement. Having the league’s top returning passer in Zayd Etheridge and a two-way standout in TE/DE Nolan Clayton, a Villanova commit, doesn’t hurt either.

It’s a new era in Pottstown, where Levert Hughes takes over for Jeff Delaney. The new coach brings familiarity and structure to a program starved for a winner. This season marks 20 years since Pottstown’s last PAC title, a fact not lost on Hughes who counts several coaches from that title-winning squad among his staff. Early returns are positive, with the Trojans exhibiting some offensive firepower in a recent preseason scrimmage.

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH

September 16: Upper Merion at Owen J. Roberts >> A pair of playoff qualifiers from last season look to take the next step in 2022, and the outcome of this crossover showdown will give one team a leg up a week before divisional play begins.

September 16: Pottsgrove at Boyertown >> Last year, the Bears upended the Falcons at Pennypacker Field in the area’s Game of the Year, prevailing 42-35 in four overtimes. The Falcons lofty aspirations for success begin with the chance to return the favor at Bear Stadium.

September 30: Pope John Paul II at Pottsgrove >> The ‘Revenge Tour’ continues for Pottsgrove when the host the Golden Panthers, who’ve kept them from topping the Frontier Division the past two seasons.

October 7: Spring-Ford at Perkiomen Valley >> The arguable highlight of the local sporting calendar each year, the Battle of the Horns takes place for a second straight season at Thomas J. Keenan Stadium, with Spring-Ford looking for payback from a six-point loss in 2021.

October 28: PAC Championship/Crossover Week >> This year, it’s the Frontier Division schools’ turn to host. Last year could be tough to match – three of the six crossover games were one-score finishes, with two decided by a single point.