Catch This: Peterlin-Domine connection lifts Perk Valley over Interboro

PHOENIXVILLE >> On a day where the sun finally worked its way out from behind the clouds, it was Perkiomen Valley’s quarterback-receiver combination that shined the brightest on Saturday afternoon.

Vikings senior signal-caller Cole Peterlin and wide receiver Isaiah Domine connected for three touchdowns and more than 150 yards through the air during a 42-14 win over Interboro in a game played at Phoenixville High School.

“It started last year, we’d throw some deep balls in practice,” said Domine, who had five receptions for 154 yards on the afternoon. “We executed them in practice, then tried them out in games and it worked. This year, we got the ball rolling and we keep making it work.”

That connection has surely been working so far this season for Perk Valley (2-2 overall).

For the year, Domine leads the Pioneer Athletic Conference in receiving yards (285) and receiving touchdowns (eight) on 15 receptions. Peterlin, who finished with 246 passing yards Saturday, currently leads the league in passing yards (812) and is among the leaders in passing touchdowns (nine).

“Cole is a good quarterback. We expect him to spread the ball around,” said Perk Valley head coach Rob Heist. “We liked the matchup we saw in particular with Isaiah this week. He’s a tough kid to cover — he’s got good size, good hands, good speed. We try to take advantage of that every chance we can.”

The Vikings took advantage of that matchup on a broken play during their opening possession.

On third-and-13 late in the first quarter, Peterlin dropped the snap, then picked it up and rolled to his left before hitting a wide open Domine who took it down the sideline the rest of the way for a 55-yard touchdown and the game’s opening score.

Then after Interboro’s ensuing possession resulted in a muffed punt attempt, Peterlin carried it in from 23 yards out to give Perk Valley an early 14-0 lead.

“I’m a lot more comfortable than I was last year,” said the second-year QB Peterlin, who rushed for 69 yards. “I can read defenses a lot better so it slows down the game and makes it easier. It gives me a lot more chances to sit back and make the open throw or run it.”

Perk Valley’s defense had Interboro (1-3 overall) bottled up for most of the first half, though a pair of costly penalties put the Buccaneers in prime scoring position midway through the second quarter. Interboro finally got on the board when Mike Moore capped a 10-play, 65-yard possession with a two-yard run through the middle to make it 14-7.

From that point, Perk Valley took total control.

The Vikings put together a four-minute, 11-play drive that ended with Jacob Sturm barrelling his way into the end zone with 2:19 left in regulation. Then after forcing a quick three-and-out by Interboro, the Vikings moved the ball quickly downfield and ended the half with Domine pulling in a beautiful pass on a double-move to give Perk Valley a 28-7 lead at the half.

“That was nice to score and head into half, especially knowing we’d get the ball to start the second (half),” said Heist. “That worked out perfectly. That’s always deflating when an offense can do that to another team.”

The Vikings scored twice during the third quarter — Jon Moccia running it around the left end from two yards out before Domine pulled in a 44-yard touchdown from Peterlin — to take a commanding 42-7 lead and bring the running clock into play.

After starting out the season with consecutive losses against District 1-6A contenders Downingtown West and Downingtown East, Perkiomen Valley finds itself back to 2-2. A different record but the same approach, says Peterlin, as the Vikings gear up for a road trip to PAC Liberty foe Owen J. Roberts next Friday night.

“We’re gonna keep doing our thing,” said Peterlin. “Every week, we’re aiming to be 1-0. We’re gonna keep trying to get the win every week.”

Interboro, meanwhile, heads to Lower Moreland for a non-conference matchup next Saturday before opening up Delaware Valley league play against Academy Park on Sept. 28.

“Our three losses, the other two teams are 3-0,” said Interboro head coach Steve Lennox, referencing losses against Oxford and Archbishop Ryan. “So we play a good schedule, a tough schedule. Hopefully we can benefit from these games.

“We’ve just got to get back on track and stay together.”