Boyd Skarbek has the type of skill set that a team can build its entire running game around.
But for Pope John Paul II head coach Scott Reed, it wasn’t enough.
Reed wanted to build an entire offensive identity where everything the Golden Panthers do on offense is predicated on the abilities and threat of their senior running back.
The school’s first-ever Pioneer Athletic Conference championship and a District 1 title stands as validation of Reed’s approach – and makes Boyd Skarbek our 2023 Mercury All-Area Football Player of the Year.
Skarbek had exactly 250 touches this season (236 carries, 14 receptions), scoring 31 touchdowns in the process and setting a school record for a single season with 1,901 yards rushing, the highest total for a PAC running back since 2017 (Pottsgrove’s Rahsul Faison).
Pope John Paul II’s emergence into an area powerhouse was originally defined by an offensive identity built around a prolific passing game. In Reed’s second year at the helm, the Golden Panthers wanted to diversify that identity to include a bruising ground game. Skarbek’s skill set was paramount to the philosophy.
“I feel like we were able to dominate up front,” the star running back said. “As time went on, teams knew that about us and I think we were able to intimidate some teams.”
“I’ve been fortunate enough to coach some great passers,” said Reed, who mentored Harlon Hill Trophy winner (the Heisman for Division II football) Zach Zulli at Perkiomen Valley, while also coaching standouts Rasaan Stewart and Stephen Sturm. “It’s awesome to throw the ball around, but if you want to win games late in the season when it’s cold, wet, windy – you better be able to run the football. You’re not going to be able to count on just a passing game.”
But that didn’t mean sacrificing the passing game, as Pope John Paul II threw for over 2,100 yards as a team in 2023. And while Skarbek accounted for 181 yards as a receiver, he had a hand in almost all of them.
“We incorporated more six-man protections, built off a play-fake to Boyd that brings the defense in,” said Reed. “It was necessary for our passing game for him to not only be a threat out of the backfield, but an effective blocker as well.
“Boyd got the most touches on our team, but every time someone touched the ball it’s built off of something he can do – whether that’s play-action, putting him in motion – he was in the middle of everything we did, even when he didn’t get the ball.”
But the running game was where Skarbek made his greatest impact, utilizing a zone-running scheme that accentuates his best attributes as a runner – vision and balance – to yield a season both prolific and consistent.
Over 13 contests, Skarbek exceeded 100 yards rushing a dozen times, scoring at least one touchdown in each contest with multiple scores in 10 games.
There’s a line between reliability and greatness. Boyd Skarbek leapt across that barrier on an October night at Spring-Ford, as the Golden Panthers claimed the school’s first PAC championship in football.
“That’s the game that stands out,” said Skarbek. “All season, the whole year, my main goal was to win that PAC championship game. As the season went on, each win was a step closer.”
But being there wasn’t the goal – any less would’ve been a disappointment. After all, Skarbek and the Golden Panthers were accustomed to playing in the game, having dropped a tight battle to Perkiomen Valley, 21-14 a year prior. In fact, PJP’s played in each PAC title game since 2019.
Playing in the game was expected. Winning it, on the other hand, was another matter entirely. Seven years of the two-division system yielded seven PAC champions from the Liberty Division, with Pottsgrove and PJP splitting championship game losses.
Something was different this time, however. It was PJP, the visitors, the smaller school, asserting its will physically. In a game filled with big plays and unpredictable momentum swings, the most dependable element was Skarbek carrying for 4-5 yards at a time, moving the Golden Panthers down the field.
Eventually, however, Skarbek’s vision and balance allowed him to use the lead blocking of Brent Mitala to break off a couple of nearly identical long runs – carries of 48 and 47 yards, respectively – to provide his third and fourth touchdowns of the night. An offensive line featuring Chase Frantz, Aiden Sgarra, Ignacio Escobar, Makel Parker, Kevin Heywood, and Mike McNally repeatedly paved the way for the running back.
When all was said and done, Skarbek had 26 carries for 221 yards and four touchdowns. He’d caught three passes for 16 yards, while also making a huge impression on defense by registering four tackles for loss including a pair of quarterback sacks.
Most importantly, Pope John Paul II had its first PAC championship, surviving a late two-point attempt to overcome Spring-Ford, 28-27.
“To go into the gym at our school and see that championship banner, knowing that our team won that – it just means so much,” said Skarbek.
“Skarbek’s got deceptive speed,” said Spring-Ford coach Chad Brubaker. “He did a great job, just kept churning through tackles.”
The PAC title victory stands out to Skarbek, but it wasn’t the end of the team’s accomplishments as PJP dominated the District 1-4A tournament to bring home the school’s second District title. Skarbek’s older brother, Steve, starred for the 2019 squad that captured the school’s first District 1 title.
Football is a family affair for the Skarbeks. Boyd’s father, the late Steve Sr., played at the University of Delaware after starring at St. Pius X, where one of his coaches was Scott Reed’s father Ron.
Aside from Boyd’s older brother, Steve Jr., cousin Dylan also plays for PJP and more family members figure to follow in the future.
“This was always my favorite sport,” said Boyd. “I started out playing flag football in kindergarten, but I came to love the brotherhood of each of my teams plus the physicality of the game.”
One of the first coaches to bring that out was Scott Reed, who by coincidence coached Skarbek in 8th grade CYO football. (That team won a championship, too).
“One of the things we talked about back then was that while Boyd was obviously good with the ball in his hands, great players are that way because of what they do without the ball,” said Reed.
When Reed arrived at Pope John Paul II before Skarbek’s junior season, the running back was ready to commit to becoming a more complete player, thinking back to his former and now current head coach’s words.
“When I got here, I wasn’t a great blocker,” Skarbek admitted. “Like (Coach Reed) said, what could I do without the ball?”
Skarbek’s commitment to improving that and other elements of his game impressed the coaching staff and unified the Golden Panthers as a whole.
“He isn’t a ‘rah-rah’ guy, but he’s a leader by example. People naturally follow Boyd, so when he bought in, the entire team came along,” said Reed.
This was most evident last offseason, with a rising senior class motivated by the PAC championship loss to Perkiomen Valley and a District title loss to Interboro.
“You’ve got to work for it,” said Skarbek. “Our class was in the weight room all the time, and over time more juniors and sophomores were showing up.”
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and PJP’s season wrapped up in the first round of states with a 21-13 loss to Bonner & Prendergast of District 12. The team committed five uncharacteristic turnovers and were unable to fight all the way back from a 21-0 deficit.
“It’s tough,” admitted Skarbek. “But one loss doesn’t define us. We still had an incredible season and made history this year.”
As he concludes his senior year, Boyd Skarbek plans to play lacrosse this spring after choosing the college where he’ll continue his football career. He says he’d like to go into sports management someday.
Throughout the season, as the Golden Panthers added another win each week to their undefeated record, coach Reed would remind his players they hadn’t won anything yet.
With a pair of historic championship victories to show for their efforts, how does the message change after Skarbek and his classmates graduate?
“What some people thought was improbable is possible,” said Reed. “But it takes a process. It takes long days, a lot of talent – all of our seniors are major-impact guys. Now, it’s someone else’s turn to step up. This class gave them the blueprint, but it doesn’t just happen. Can you match that effort?
“You can do this, even as a small school. But it takes a whole lot of work. That’s Boyd’s and his class’s legacy.”
