Klimek does it all in Perkiomen Valley’s 32-13 Homecoming win over Norristown
GRATERFORD >> Ryan Klimek will have plenty of pleasant memories from Perkiomen Valley’s Homecoming game Friday.
They encompassed the various roles he filled in, and his numerous contributions to, the Vikings’ 32-13 win over Norristown. They were in keeping with the senior’s role as a multi-versatile performer for PV’s offense and kicking teams … and also a contribution toward the halftime Homecoming ceremonies.
On the field, Klimek ran the ball 13 times for a game-high 154 yards, with touchdown jaunts of two and 71 yards. His talented toe added six more points with a field goal and 3-for-4 showing in conversion kicks, giving Klimek credit for more than half the Vikes’ scoring.
On top of all that, Klimek was part of the school’s Homecoming court, joined by teammates Michael Poruban and Stephen Ciaudelli. Suffice it to say, there wasn’t a whole lot in which Klimek wasn’t involved in on the occasion of PV’s last regular-season home game.
“I try to help the team the best I can,” he said afterward. “Being out there is how I help the team.”
His help went a long way toward PV’s overall Homecoming enjoyment. The Vikes (7-1 overall) ran their record in the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s Liberty Division to 4-0, giving them the division title with one more Liberty game against Boyertown next week. They are also looking at a PAC championship-game clash with either Pope John Paul II or Phoenixville, and possibly a home game in the upcoming District 1 Class 6A playoffs.
“That’s something to be proud of,” PV head coach Rob Heist said. “Right now, we’re preparing for Boyertown.”
A slow start notwithstanding, the Vikes got all their scoring done before Norristown (0-4 Liberty, 2-6 overall) was able to dent the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. It wrapped rushing touchdowns by quarterback Patrick MacDonald and Jake Stewart around Klimek’s 31-yard field goal for a 17-point halftime advantage.
Klimek added a two-yard score inside the first two minutes of the third quarter, then electrified the Homecoming crowd with a 71-yard scoring run to start off the fourth. In between the TD runs, the Viking defense forced the Eagles into a safety when the ball was fumbled in their end zone.
“It was nice,” Klimek said.
Norristown went pass-heavy on offense, three different players throwing the ball and about a half-dozen catching it. Its scoring came through the air, quarterback Brendan Farrell hooking up with Jamal Griffin on a 43-yard TD toss and Marquis Holmes on a 19-yarder.
Much of that, according to head coach Joe Milligan, was born of necessity.
“We’re down running backs, with two hurt,” he noted. “We’re down to an emergency running back.”
Farrell alternated with Nate Robinson, his starter behind center, until giving way to Farrell in the second quarter. Robert Miller also took a handful of snaps, primarily in the second half.
“When you have only two wins, you pull out everything,” Milligan said.
Heist indicated he and his coaching staff were figuring the Eagles could be rotating quarterbacks. PV’s pass defense was keyed by Carson Pascoe and Ciaudelli intercepting Farrell; Brad Curci, Ciaudelli, Vance Junker and Cole Euker posting sacks; and the unit holding Norristown’s quarterback trio to negative yardage on a combined 10 touches.
“We were conscious of that,” he said. “They have nice receivers … kids with nice size who can run and catch the ball. Their game is to get the ball out of the quarterbacks’ hands fast.”
The Eagle “D” was highlighted by Quadir Drummond and Kaedyn Singleton intercepting passes, and the unit forcing two fumbles. One of them stifled a PV drive at the Norristown two, but it put the visitors in the shadow of their own end zone for the safety.
“We try to focus each week on our opponent,” Heist said. “Norristown has played us tough the last few years. We have to stop turning the ball over, execute better on offense and get back to playing our offense.”
NOTES >> Klimek’s field goal was not a personal best, that being 43 yards. He still admitted the kick “felt pretty good.” … The Vikings were coming off a hard-fought 7-6 rivalry win over Liberty foe Spring-Ford the previous week. They’ve outscored the opposition 276-125, their lone loss of the season coming on Sept. 16 against Roman Catholic (26-10). … Summer Watts was named Perk Valley’s Homecoming queen in the halftime ceremony. Watts’ credits include her standing as a distance-running star for the school’s cross country and track teams.
