Faison fuels Pottsgrove in rout of Upper Perkiomen

October 7, 2016

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LOWER POTTSGROVE >> Rahsul Faison was stopped in his tracks before he could even reach the line of scrimmage.

The Upper Perkiomen defense was swarming, and two defenders already had him wrapped up for a loss of yards.

Sound the whistle. Back to the drawing board.

Not so fast.

The junior tailback shook and spun both Upper Perkiomen players off his back before taking it 34 yards to the end zone for his second score Friday night.

The run served as just another highlight to an already-lengthy reel Faison has put together this season, putting the early exclamation point on Pottsgrove’s 62-21 win over Upper Perkiomen at Pottsgrove’s Rick Pennypacker Field.

Pottsgrove's Kobey Baldwin (7) is congratulated by Adam Girafalco (8) and other teammates after his 38-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Upper Perkiomen. (Austin Hertzog - Digital First Media) — Pottsgrove’s Kobey Baldwin (7) is congratulated by Adam Girafalco (8) and other teammates after his 38-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Upper Perkiomen. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)

“I saw an opening,” recalled Faison of his run, “so I just ran through the defense and took it. I was just taking what they (the O-line) were giving me.”

The win puts Pottsgrove at 3-0 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s Frontier Division (5-2 overall). Upper Perk falls to 2-1 in PAC Frontier play (3-4 overall).

Photo Gallery: Upper Perkiomen at Pottsgrove

Faison ran wild all over the Tribe, racking up 152 yards and three touchdowns, including the game’s opening two scores within the first 10 minutes.

“It seemed like we were there a lot on defense, we just couldn’t finish the tackles,” said Upper Perkiomen head coach Tom Hontz. “He (Faison) is phenomenal. It was really difficult for us to match up with him all game.”

Pottsgrove head coach Rick Pennypacker knew what he was getting in Faison, a transfer from Archbishop Carroll this season.

Pottsgrove running back Rahsul Faison breaks off a 44-yard touchdown run during the second quarter against Upper Perkiomen. (Austin Hertzog - Digital First Media) — Pottsgrove running back Rahsul Faison breaks off a 44-yard touchdown run during the second quarter against Upper Perkiomen. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)

“Rahsul is Rahsul,” said Pottsgrove head coach Rick Pennypacker. “He’s a playmaker … any time he gets the ball in his hands. Our offensive line played well and so did our fullbacks.”

Faison has quickly become the main focal point in the Pottsgrove offense. Friday night included, he’s accounted for 923 rushing yards, good enough for nearly 60 percent of the Falcons’ offensive output for the season.

Also out of the backfield, Kobey Baldwin broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run on a sweep late in the second quarter. Quarterback Ryan Finn completed all three of his passing attempts — two for touchdowns — and racked up 148 total yards.

Desmond Austin hauled in a 63-yard touchdown during the second quarter shortly after Justin Adams caught a quick slant across the middle for an 18-yard score.

Pennypacker gave credit to all three phases of the Falcons’ game, most notably the defense.

Pottsgrove kept Upper Perk QB Zeke Hallman in check, limiting him to 130 yards passing and a touchdown while forcing him into two interceptions. Aside from a 73-yard touchdown burst during the second quarter, running back Tyler Whary and the run game couldn’t gain much traction.

“They’ve got some playmakers over there,” said Pennypacker of Upper Perk’s offense. “We knew they’d get their passes and we wanted to put some pressure on Hallman. I give them credit — they came out with some wrinkles that we didn’t see.

Pottsgrove quarterback Ryan Finn breaks into the secondary on a carry as Upper Perkiomen's Ryan Kendra makes the touchdown-saving tackle. (Austin Hertzog - Digital First Media) — Pottsgrove quarterback Ryan Finn breaks into the secondary on a carry as Upper Perkiomen’s Ryan Kendra makes the touchdown-saving tackle. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)

“Overall, I’m pleased with all three phases of the game. Special teams did well, our defense played well and our offense played well, too.”

Hontz and the Tribe will take plenty away from Friday’s matchup with the Falcons.

“That’s what we aspire to be,” he said of Pottsgrove. “They have so many physical athletes, so many gifted players.

“The juggernaut just keeps going on for those guys.”

Still Trending

Friday was the fifth time in the past 13 seasons that Pottsgrove has scored at least 60 points against Upper Perkiomen.

The Tribe hasn’t beaten Pottsgrove now since the 2004 season. During that run, the Falcons have outscored Upper Perk 666-175.

Bright Future

Sophomore quarterback Jay Sisco, who took control under center for the majority of the second half, looked plenty promising.

He carried it five times for 61 yards, including 5-yard keeper late in the third quarter. Junior Avery Grant carried it twice for 38 yards and a score while classmate Blake Strain scored one from six yards out.

“We’re a pretty young team,” said Pennypacker, “we’ve only got a few seniors playing on the offensive side of the ball.”

Rah-Rah

Faison is what makes the Pottsgrove offense go. In games where he has been held to one or fewer touchdowns, the Falcons are 0-2. Worth noting, Faison sat out the Falcons’ season-opening loss against West Catholic. He’s racked up at least 100 yards of total offense in each game he’s appeared in this season.