Mercury Football Preview: Spring-Ford set for true test from Cumberland Valley in Week 3

The record books show a 2-0 start, but Spring-Ford still has some strides to take before starting league play in a couple weeks.

While by no means perfect in execution, the Rams’ first two efforts have been strong enough to get them a pair of victories behind solid if at times inconsistent team play and a pair of impressive statistical showings from sophomore quarterback Matt Zollers (26-for-43, 418 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT).

But coach Chad Brubaker says that won’t be enough this week when the Rams welcome Cumberland Valley of District 3 to Coach McNelly Stadium.
Last year, a 2-0 Spring-Ford was on the road and dropped a 23-19 verdict to Cumberland Valley on Sept. 10.

The Eagles come in with a similar 2-0 record earned in victories over Central York and Manheim Township.

“They are a powerhouse program,” said Brubaker. “We’ve been able to get a couple of victories without playing our best games. We no longer have that luxury.”

Indeed, a dominant first-half effort on defense and special teams last week was clouded by a second half in which District 12’s Olney dominated possession and played the Rams to a standstill for the final 24 minutes. The first-half advantage stood up, with Spring-Ford prevailing 28-8.

Against Cumberland Valley, however, such extended dominance may not be realistic. The Eagles’ first two performances have them among the “Five Teams to Watch” just outside the Top 10 in statewide Class 6A rankings, and they’re plenty battle tested after winning those two contests by a combined six points.

The offense is piloted by dual-threat senior Isaac Sines, whose air and ground games are almost perfectly balanced (222 yards rushing, 216 yards passing, 4 pass TDs/3 rush TDs). The thunder to Sines’ lightning is junior Bryce Staretz, averaging just over five yards per carry with two scores of his own.

The Eagles know how to be efficient in the passing attack – their 11 completions in 2022 have yielded four scoring strikes without a turnover.

“We will need to contain Sines,” said Brubaker. “They are at their best when he is scrambling.”

They’re not bad on defense either, picking off a trio of passes already this season. Sines also does the place kicking for the Eagles – a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points this year – and Brubaker was impressed by a long Cumberland Valley kickoff return against Central York.

The Rams’ defensive approach starts with their game-changing defensive line talent. Luke Pajovich (16 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks) leads a unit also featuring Franny Undercuffler, returning All-Area defensive end Zach Zollers and emerging junior Evan Strzeminski. Gage Swanger’s steadiness in the back seven complements his versatile skill set on offense (99 yards receiving, two TDs).

For the Rams offense, it expects to be sophomore QB Zoller and the unit’s biggest test to date.

“Matt must take what is there to get us into manageable down and distance,” said Brubaker. “We need to match [Cumberland Valley] for 48 minutes.”

2022 Pioneer Athletic Conference Football Leaders – https://t.co/YZctqrT4IU pic.twitter.com/3ohIGEYFP0

— PA Prep Live (@PaPrepLive) September 8, 2022

Berks Catholic at Pope John Paul II, 1 p.m. Saturday

Cumberland Valley won’t be the only District 3 power to visit Royersford this weekend. Despite the Saints’ 0-2 start, PJP coach Scott Reed is prepared for “the biggest challenge so far this season.”

“They control the ball, they’re physical, and they’re well coached,” said Reed. “We need to hang in on defense and come up big on our third and fourth down opportunities.”

To that end, Reed lauded the play of his special teams last week as the Golden Panthers pulled off a fake punt to perfection, scoring a touchdown on a pass from Chris Lucci to Brent Mitala in a 22-21 overtime victory over Father Judge. He also complimented the play of Ryan Lamson, Jack Lockrey, and Dylan Skarbek on defense.

“They’re not the biggest guys,” said Reed, “but they throw their bodies around with controlled aggression.”

Boyd Skarbek leads the PAC in rushing with 291 yards (4 TDs).

Owen J. Roberts at Avon Grove, 7 p.m. Friday

Both OJR and their opponents for this week broke into the win column last week, the Wildcats doing so with a 42-6 thrashing of Wissahickon. Coach Rich Kolka lauded the play of quarterback Michael Reed (17-for-32, 282 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT), while emphasizing the need for his defense to eliminate big plays and force Avon Grove to drive the length of the field.

The Red Devils bested Penn Wood last week, displaying an impressive running game led by Thad Binstead and Harrison Watson. Kolka said Avon Grove’s ability to control possession is a major area of focus for OJR.

Governor Mifflin at Boyertown, 7 p.m. Friday

The Bears return home to face a desperate Governor Mifflin team that’s dropped its first two contests after last year’s historic season. For Boyertown, Cole Yesavage (30 carries, 282 yards, 4 TDs) is near the top in rushing yardage for PAC played with back-to-back 100-yard performances to start the 2022 campaign.

Life after Nick Singleton, the Gatorade Player of the Year now at Penn State, has proven challenging for the Mustangs. They enter after a 48-14 loss to Carlisle.

Perkiomen Valley at Cheltenham, 7 p.m. Friday

The 2-0 Vikings head on the road for the first time this year to visit Cheltenham, where coach Rob Heist says stopping junior RB Tre McLeod will be an emphasis. “He’s the best back I’ve seen on film in some time,” Heist said of the 2024 Division 1 prospect. “He finishes his runs with physicality and will be a challenge to contend with.”

Offensively, Heist hopes the Vikings can finish drives as they did in the second half of last week’s comeback win over Downingtown West. Defensively, the Vikings will continue to depend on the recent emergence of Carson Pascoe, Vance Junker, Shane Nelson, Sam Koehler, and Stephen Ciaudelli.

Upper Perkiomen at Fleetwood, 7 p.m. Friday

The Tribe got off the mat last week with a 31-14 victory over Schuylkill Valley. Mike Boyle and Chidike Eruba showed signs of developing chemistry, combining for a 93-yard scoring strike (the longest scoring play from scrimmage in the area thus far this season).

To continue their winning ways against Fleetwood, Upper Perk will need sustained excellence from Zach Schwartz on both sides of the ball, while Josh Hill brings leadership and consistency in the trenches.

Fleetwood is 1-1, last week falling to Conrad Weiser 28-21.

Pottstown at Harriton, 7 p.m.

The Rams are taking a hiatus from Central League play this season while they attempt to rebuild their program. Playing an Independent schedule this year, Harriton was rewarded with its first win in four years in week one when they topped Roxborough.

Pottstown will look to take similar steps toward their own breakthrough this week after a tough outing last week against 4A contenders Interboro from the Del Val League. Rashean Bostic continues to do it all for the Trojans, while Nazhier Booker registered Pottstown’s first scoring play of the season last week.

Wissahickon at Methacton, 7 p.m. Friday

The Warriors’ 34-0 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh was characterized by mistakes in all facets of the game, an area coach Brian Kennedy hopes to clean up as Methacton prepares to host Wissahickon and former Pope John Paul II coach Rory Graver.

“Rory knows how to motivate and he’s very creative,” said Kennedy. “They have an explosive passing game and an aggressive defensive scheme, so we will need to be focused on doing our jobs on every play.” Kennedy singled out the backfield tandem of QB Mike Wolbers and RB Tyler Weil-Kaspar for their toughness at PW, while emphasizing the need to give sophomore Dylan Pashik more opportunities to shine on defense.

Pottsgrove at Norristown, 7 p.m. Friday

An unfortunate spate of potentially season-ending injuries to senior leaders Amir Brunson, Xavier Leibensperger, and Brandon Chestnut-Smith have clouded the Falcons’ 2-0 start to the 2022 campaign, but coach Bill Hawthorne lauded the team’s resilience while emphasizing the importance of QB Gabe Rinda’s continued mastery of the offense.

“Our offensive line – Marc White, Dom Demeno, Cory Jubilee-Scott, Joey Quinter, and Nico Marchionne – they’re the guys Gabe will need to rely upon,” said Hawthorne.

Meanwhile, Norristown looks for their first victory powered by an offense Hawthorne sees as loaded with potential. “They could explode at any time with their talent,” he said.

Meyon Ferrell ran for 78 yards on 20 carries and a TD last week for the Eagles.

Chester at Phoenixville, 7 p.m. Friday

Nobody looks better on paper than the Clippers after two weeks, rolling through their first two games by a combined score of 112-0. Can they continue their high-flying ways against a Phoenixville defense that gained confidence last week, causing seven turnovers in a 35-7 win over defending District 1-4A champions Bishop Shanahan?

The answer likely lies in the trenches, where Chester faces a different challenge in Phoenixville’s physicality up front. When the Phantoms take to the air, QB Talon Romance looks to expand upon his chemistry with explosive Ahmid Spivey, as the duo connected for a pair of scores against Shanahan. Playing in place of starting QB and older brother Ty, Talon Romance showed big-play ability with 8-for-10 passing and 221 yards through the air.

William Tennent at Upper Merion, 7 p.m. Friday

Vikings’ QB Zayd Etheridge took significant strides in last week’s 21-14 victory over Norristown, and coach Davis Chubb says continued improvement in the run game from both Etheridge and Yusuf Riley will be keys to continuing Upper Merion’s winning ways when they host 0-2 William Tennent.
“We fought back from our own mistakes,” Chubb said, “but we struggled to put the game away when we had that chance. That’s something we need to continue to work towards.”

Daniel Boone at Muhlenberg, 7 p.m. Friday

Rob Flowers’ group continues to search for their first victory as they travel to Muhlenberg.

“It’s important we take pride in all phases of our game,” he said. “If we’re not in a good head space, we’ll continue to struggle.”

Flowers singled out Draven Klick and Ryan Souder as a pair of players who continue to rise to the challenge for the Blazers.

Hill School at Germantown Academy, 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Hill returns six starters in the back seven on defense, while turning to sophomore Charlie Hewitt as their starting quarterback this season. New offensive coordinator Mike Boyer’s system aims to get the into the hands of numerous athletes on offense while installing new concepts throughout the season.

Game 1 sees the Rams travel to Germantown Academy of the Inter-Ac League. GA was a 28-0 winner over Simon Gratz in their own opener.