Maddocks makes all the plays as Fleetwood handles Upper Perkiomen
RED HILL >> It’s an unusual situation to have a quarterback get more attention for catching passes.
And when the passes are thrown by the other team’s quarterback … well, that takes unusual to a whole new plateau.
Such was the case Friday, when Fleetwood came to town for a non-league game with Upper Perkiomen. Tanner Maddocks, the Tigers’ highly-regarded signal-caller, utilized his skills as a defensive back to help secure a 41-0 win over the Indians.
Maddocks, a Villanova commit for his play behind center, had a pair of “pick six” plays among his three interceptions for Fleetwood. Coupled with a three-touchdown night by classmate Gavin Morris, it was more than enough scoring for the Tigers (2-1), who put the running clock into play inside the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
“I inherited him,” head coach Steve Beatty said of Maddocks, a multi-talented player capable of throwing (6-for-11, 103 yards), running (10 carries for 69 yards) and kicking (five conversions) the ball consistently. “I feel very lucky.”
Maddocks was part of a veritable “embarrassment of riches” Fleetwood has amassed this fall. Morris, the game’s rushing leader with 79 yards on 10 totes, had scoring runs of 12, three and 31 yards. And Gage Moyer, working his way back from injury, added 43 ground yards and a six-yard TD run that started off the Tigers’ second half.
“He has a nice little shift,” Beatty said of Morris. “He gets going, then he does the shift to keep going. Moyer’s getting healthier, too.”
Maddocks’ showing was no surprise to Upper Perk (1-2), which appeared capable of sticking with Fleetwood in the early going. The Indians drove deep into Tiger territory on their three first-half possessions — they got as far as the eight, 28 and three-yard lines — only to see the marches result in a missed field goal, a turnover on downs and the second of Maddocks’ three aerial swipes.
“The first half was hard-fought by us,” UP head coach Tom Hontz noted. “The score belied the way we played. It could have been 14-14 at the half.”
“But then the errors cost us.”
The interceptions were the primary blemish on Gorje Navarrete’s development as the Tribe’s signal-caller. The senior was 10-for-15 for 97 yards, his primary target Logan Simmon (four catches, 62 yards).
“He’s raw and inexperienced,” Hontz said. “He’s not used to seeing their (Tigers) speed and size coming at him in practice. All he can do is keep battling.”
Another battling effort came from Brady Thompson, who put out extreme fight for every one of his 35 rushing yards. On the defensive side, Thompson recovered a Morris fumble at the UP one-yard line with 7:49 left in the game.
And a sophomore, Tyler Miller, made a big play on the defensive side batting away a Maddocks pass attempt 16 seconds into the fourth quarter.
“He (Thompson) is a warrior,” Hontz noted. “He and Dominic Faraco are tremendous team leaders. These guys have taken their lumps.
“It’s a shame for the seniors they don’t have more experience around them.”
NOTES >> Hontz’s assessment of Maddocks: “He’s a talented athlete. They definitely showcased him.” … Pending confirmation, Beatty said he’d heard talk the shutout was the first in the history of the Fleetwood program. … Will Ryan was the Tigers’ leading receiver, catching three passes covering 49 yards. “We don’t have to throw much,” Beatty said. “We like the deep ball, as you could see tonight.” … UP’s field goal attempt in the first quarter was a 24-yarder by sophomore Logan Watkins.
Fleetwood 41, Upper Perkiomen 0
Fleetwood 7 13 7 14 – 41
Upper Perk 0 0 0 0 – 0
Fl – Morris 15 run (Maddocks kick)
Fl – Morris three run (Maddocks kick)
Fl – Maddocks 45 interception return (pass failed)
Fl – Moyer 6 run (Maddocks kick)
Fl – Maddocks 14 interception return (Maddocks kick)
Fl – Morris 31 run (Maddocks kick)
TEAM STATISTICS
Fl UP
First downs 16 10
Rushing yards 203 86
Passing yards 103 97
Total yards 306 183
Passes C-A-I 6-11-0 10-15-3
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0
Penalties-Yards 4-25 3-10
Punts-Avg. 1-50.0 3-25.3
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
FLEETWOOD – Morris, 10-79, 3 TDs; Maddocks, 10-69; Moyer, 8-43, 1 TD; Fickes, 5-12.
UPPER PERK – Thompson, 13-35; Fehnel, 3-24; Hank, 8-23; Rzonca, 1-3; Navarrete, 2-1; North, 1-0.
Passing
FLEETWOOD – Maddocks, 6-11-103.
UPPER PERK – Navarrete, 10-15-97, 3 INTs.
Receiving
FLEETWOOD – Ryan, 3-49; Zimmerman, 1-37; Fickes, 1-10; Moyer, 1-7.
UPPER PERK – Simmon, 4-62; Thompson, 3-15; Smith, 1-13; Lichtenwalner, 1-7; Hank, 1-0.
Interceptions – Fleetwood: Maddocks 3.
Sacks – None.
