Inseparable Spring-Ford, Perkiomen Valley look for stranglehold on PAC Liberty race

Spring-Ford and Perkiomen Valley have crafted the area’s defining rivalry, with their head-to-head matchup ultimately determining the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division title – and subsequently the league title – since 2016.

The stakes don’t change, but the timing does.

This year (and next) the game falls smack in the middle of the conference slate, as both the Rams and Vikings bring 2-0 conference records into Friday night’s tilt at Thomas J. Keenan Stadium. As the only two undefeated squads in the division, the winner will essentially take a 1.5-game lead in the race, as any tiebreaker is settled by head-to-head results.

Two truths hold in this rivalry: it determines the Liberty Division champion (and PAC champion since 2014), and it’s as close as can be.
In 2018 and 2019, the squads submitted a pair of classics in regular season-ending tilts (splitting the outcomes 1-1) before the game moved to the conference opener in 2020 and 2021 (again, split evenly between the sides.)

Go back further and you won’t find any additional separation. Friday night will be the 39th all-time meeting between the schools. You guessed it – each side has come out on top 19 times.

“We’ve had this circled on the calendar since Week 1,” Perk Valley’s Drew Kenworthy said after last week’s win over Methacton. “It’s ‘Ram Week’. It’s time to go, we’re ready.”

“It’s going to be a 48-minute game,” said Spring-Ford coach Chad Brubaker. “Things happen, but our players need to be focused on the goal.”

It’s safe to say that beating their Friday night opponent is the most important goal for both teams year in and year out, because accomplishing that task clears the path to other goals such as league titles, playoff berths and even settling into high seeds come District 1 playoffs.

For the Rams, diversifying their offensive attack was paramount in crafting a formula for a win on Friday. They’ve done so, submitting consecutive strong outings on the ground in their two division wins over Boyertown and Owen J. Roberts.

Will Fish (6.8 yards per carry, 505 yards, 5 TDs) keys the SF rushing game, enabled by an offensive line that’s made impressive strides since the outset of the 2022 season.

After a lackluster start, SF now averages over six yards per carry on the ground, enough to keep Perkiomen Valley’s stingy defense from loading up against a passing game led by sophomore quarterback Matt Zollers (60-percent completions, 993 yards, 13 TD/1 INT). Zollers’ ability to avoid mistakes will need to sustain against an opportunistic Vikings defense that’s forced 11 turnovers in their first six games.

A defense-by-committee approach (13 players have double-digit tackles this season) sees Perk Valley in their familiar spot at or near the top of the conference in most defensive categories. Carson Pascoe, Vance Junker, and Kenworthy look to pressure Zollers early in hopes of forcing the turnovers Spring-Ford has ably avoided in their past couple outings.

For the Rams, Zach Zollers is his younger brother’s favorite target in the aerial game, sitting among the league leaders with 26 catches for 366 yards and five scores this season.

But the matchup that seems most likely to decide the game will be Perkiomen Valley’s offensive line against a star-studded Spring-Ford defensive front. The Vikings use a stable of backs led by Jake Stewart (6.2 yards per carry, 415 yards, 7 TDs) and Ryan Klimek (4 yards per carry, 143 yards, 4 TD) in keeping the chains moving and wearing down opposing defenses.

It’s all made possible by an offensive line led by JC Dugary, Cole Euker, and Richie Strano that combines size with versatility to make life easier on sophomore quarterback Patrick MacDonald (70 percent completions, 579 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT) who’s picked up for the injured Danny Koehler.

Giving MacDonald time to look for Michael Poruban (20 catches, 323 yards, 3 TD) on passing downs will be the key for the Vikings’ line when facing a Spring-Ford defensive front led by senior Luke Pajovich (three sacks, 11 tackles for loss) and Franny Undercuffler (three sacks, four tackles for loss). Evan Strzeminski and Zach Zollers complete the Rams’ deep defensive front, with Matt Yurko and Mike Bendowski joining Fish at the linebacker level to complete a formidable front seven.

As if the game needed any added excitement, it’s Senior Night and Teacher Appreciation Night at Perkiomen Valley Friday. The schedule rotation sees the Vikings hosting for the second year in a row, and last year’s 28-22 victory gives the hosts a measure of momentum.

On the other hand, things always seem to even out in the “Battle of the Horns.”

Boyertown (3-3, 1-1 PAC Liberty) at Methacton (3-3, 1-1 PAC Liberty), 7 p.m. Friday >> This matchup pits a pair of .500 teams coming in off polar opposite performances. The Bears got back on track last week with a 42-7 win over Norristown where Jason Oakes and Cole Yesavage both ran for over 100 yards, while Methacton would like to forget last week’s loss to Perkiomen Valley.

Brian Kennedy says the Warriors will look to get back on track behind the senior leadership of Jake Chapman and Tyler Weil-Kaspar. Passing will likely be at a premium between two teams that prefer to control the clock and grind out yardage on the ground.

Owen J. Roberts (3-3, 0-2 PAC Liberty) at Norristown (2-4, 0-2 PAC Liberty), 7 p.m. Friday >> Both teams look to notch their first league victory when they meet at Norristown. The Wildcats couldn’t hold an early advantage last week against Spring-Ford, and coach Rich Kolka says the key to fixing the problem is playing under control and winning the turnover battle.

Kolka will look to quarterback Michael Reed and two-way lineman Christian Gregory to lead the effort against a Norristown team he described as “unpredictable.” Indeed, the Eagles have been uneven in their performances from game to game and even half to half this season but have the ability to put points on the board with a backfield featuring Jamal Griffin and Meyon Ferrell.

Phoenixville (4-2, 2-0 PAC Frontier) at Pottsgrove (3-3, 1-1 PAC Frontier), 7 p.m. Friday >> It’s another big test for Phoenixville, who’s had something to prove each week since their opening loss to Great Valley and come out with a 4-1 record in that time. The Phantoms’ offensive line led by Shane Callen, Andrew Kirk, and TJ Howard faces a stiff test this week.

“We know Pottsgrove’s line can determine the outcome,” said Phoenixville coach Anthony Ciarlello. “They’re big, strong, and experienced.”

The Falcons want to bounce back from last week where they hung gamely for a half with undefeated Pope John Paul II. A more complete performance starts on the lines Ciarlello referenced, with seniors Marc White and Cory Jubilee-Scott making room for Anthony Mayes. Bryce Caffrey, now back at full strength, figures to be a potential difference maker on special teams.

Upper Perkiomen (1-5, 0-2 PAC Frontier) at Pottstown (1-5, 0-2 PAC Frontier), 7 p.m. Friday >> Two more teams looking for their first conference wins tangle at Grigg Stadium, and the outcome is likely to be determined by whether Upper Perkiomen’s Mike Boyle and Chidike Eruba can connect for a couple big plays against a Pottstown defense focused on making opponents work for their points – in other words, avoid allowing big plays.
Dillon Mayes figures prominently into the Trojans’ attack alongside Rashean Bostick and Nahzier Booker.

Upper Merion (3-3, 1-1 PAC Frontier) at Pope John Paul II (6-0, 2-0 PAC Frontier), 1 p.m. Saturday >> Recognition is the word of the week for the undefeated Golden Panthers. Coach Scott Reed complimented Upper Merion’s versatility on offense and defense and says his team will have to continually adjust to the different fronts and coverages the Vikings figure to demonstrate.

Both Reed and coach Davis Chubb of Upper Merion agreed that Vikings QB Zayd Etheridge will be a key in the game. Reed is wary of Etheridge’s ability to extend plays, while Chubb hopes Etheridge has that extra time to find difference-making tight end Nolan Clayton. When he does, PJP’s back seven will be tested by the Villanova-bound senior.

Brendan Kenning, an offensive standout who made his first start at outside linebacker last week, figured to be a key to the Golden Panthers’ continued success.

Daniel Boone (1-5, 0-3 Lancaster-Lebanon 3) at Penn Manor (3-3, 2-1 Lancaster-Lebanon 3), 7 p.m. Friday >> Boone continues to battle to find its offensive identity. Last week’s 26-13 loss to undefeated Elizabethtown featured a common theme of the Blazers gaining yardage but coming away without points far too often.

This week’s game with Penn Manor figures to test the Blazers defense in all facets. Penn Manor averages almost five yards per carry but the game figures to turn on their ability to make things happen via their ‘all-or-nothing’ passing game – connecting for completions only 40% of the time but averaging almost 16 yards per reception.

Peddie School (N.J.) (2-2) at Hill School (1-3), 2:30 p.m. Saturday >> Kayden White’s career day (177 yards rushing, TD) helped the Rams break through for their first win last week just in time for the start of Mid-Atlantic Prep League play. The first conference test comes against a Peddie squad putting up big number through the air (271 yards per game) but struggling to make stops on the defensive side. The contest projects to be a shootout.

 

2022 Pioneer Athletic Conference Passing Leaders

2022 Pioneer Athletic Conference Rushing Leaders

2022 Pioneer Athletic Conference Receiving Leaders

2022 Pioneer Athletic Conference Interception Leaders

2022 Pioneer Athletic Conference Kicking Leaders