Mercury Football Preview: Reenergized Owen J. Roberts has eyes on playoff push

August 26, 2021

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Avrey Grimm made his presence known at Wildcat Stadium last fall.

The Owen J. Roberts running back emerged as one of the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s leading rushers in 2020, amassing 661 yards and six touchdowns in an abbreviated (six games) COVID-19 impacted campaign. In his senior season, Grimm is among the team’s upperclassmen making their presences known on the practice field in preparation for a hopefully-more normal 2021.

“The seniors are spending much time building team chemistry,” he said. “Last year, we had 1-1/2 months to get ready.”

A 3-3 record left the ‘Cats too far down in the PAC’s modified standings to qualify for District 1’s reduced — normally 16-team — Class 6A playoff bracket. Returning to the postseason picture is one hope head coach Rich Kolka has for the upcoming campaign.

“Our goal is to be one of the 16,” he said.

All the same, Kolka, his assistants and players were grateful to be able to participate in 2020, even with its limitations.

“Being able to play was big,” Kolka said. “A lot of teams weren’t able to play. I was happy we could play, especially for the seniors.”

Read the Upper Merion football team preview next here

“It was hard on everyone because we didn’t have a locker room. It was tough to prepare, as a coach. We were able to do our lifting program at school, but we had to stagger groups.”

This fall, Roberts’ senior leaders are working to impress on their younger teammates the need to appreciate the here and now.

“Number one thing is, we don’t want to be shut down,” Grimm said. “Whatever it takes to build the product.”

“We’re coming together, bonding as one,” Jonathan Havrilak, a center/defensive tackle and the PAC’s 2020 Two-Way Player of the Year, added. “We’re doing the job executing. We have leadership in every group. We’ll see what can be.”

Grimm and Havrilak will be key contributors to two of Owen J’s announced strengths; namely, the defensive front and running game. Seniors like Aston Shrum (wide receiver/outside linebacker) and Dom Franks (offensive line/linebacker) offer additional power in those aspects, and junior quarterback Michael Reed returns under center stronger and taller.

“Energy,” Shrum cited as a quality in the current pack or Wildcats. “We’re more excited, competing and working better.

“The leadership is stronger this year. That’s something that was missing last year.”

Pick up The Mercury’s Thursday (Aug. 26) edition for the 2021 High School Football Preview

Kolka, though, is withholding any conclusions until he sees his players in action other than against each other on the practice field.

“It’s hard to say until we have our first scrimmage,” he said. “Then we’ll see where we’re going.”

The Wildcats will be facing some teams that hadn’t been on previous years’ schedules: Avon Grove, Reading High and Wissahickon. “We’re trying to get more 6A schools,” Kolka noted.

A larger turnout of players offers the program more hope for success.

“Most have been here,” he said. “We’re hoping to build on that. My first year, we had 38 players. We’re looking for a big commitment from everyone.”

“We have a great group coming out to practice,” Kolka added. “Our senior leadership is motivating everyone to success. We want to be competitive every game.”

“Obviously, we want to play together. Give our all every single play. Develop winning mindset. Do together as family.”

“Everybody wants to help,” Grimm said. “The upperclassmen are willing to help. Fix the mistakes we make. Always positive. Never negative.”

OWEN J. ROBERTS

Head Coach – Rich Kolka

Key Returners

Offense

WR – Aston Shrum, Sr., 5-9, 170 (3 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD)

RB – Avrey Grimm, Sr., 5-9, 170 (97 carries, 661 yards, 6 TDs)

QB – Michael Reed, Jr., 5-11 (36-for-63, 386 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT)

C – John Havrilak, Sr. (PAC two-way player of the year)

Defense

DE – Frank McCoy, Sr., 5-8, 165