Mercury Week 2 Preview: Defending PAC champs Perkiomen Valley meet resurgent Downingtown West

Week 2 isn’t normally one for rivalries. The season’s just begun, the games are non-league, and on and on.

Yet for a couple opponents separated by 33 miles and not in the same league, when Perkiomen Valley meets Downingtown West it comes very close.
The Vikings and Whippets have matched up every season since 2016 (except the pandemic-modified 2020 season) and the result is often a great omen for the winning side.

In Perkiomen Valley’s 2021 season that included a 9-3 record, a Pioneer Athletic Conference championship and first-round District 1 playoff victory, early-season performances laid the foundation, like a 55-20 domination of the Whippets on Sept. 10.

Continued improvement is the goal, and coach Rob Heist believes the only way to become the best is for the Vikings to challenge themselves against the best. After a decisive opening-week win over Penn Wood, this week Perk Valley begins a three-game stretch against area powerhouses, beginning with a visit from Downingtown West.

After a trying 2021 season (5-5), the Whippets announced their reemergence in Week 1 with a 48-13 win over Highland Regional (N.J.) in Ocean City last weekend. This year’s version of D-West presents with their usual combination of size, speed, depth, and an accomplished ground game that can light up the scoreboard with the best.

“The key for us is going to be gap discipline on defense, and tackling extremely well,” Heist said. “Downingtown West has a terrific back and great size on their offensive line.”

The back is Jake Kucera, who was terrific and then some in the season opener, amassing over 100 yards rushing (147) and receiving (108) with four total touchdowns in the win over Highland Regional. The size on the offensive line comes from tackles Cooper Young (6-7, 300 lbs) and Ryan Howard (6-7, 310) – and that’s only a few of the 13 returning starters from last year’s squad.

For the Vikings, Danny Koehler’s debut at quarterback couldn’t have gone much better. The senior was 9-for-9 in his first start, throwing for 187 yards and racking up five total TDs before taking a seat in the second half. While Ryan Klimek wasn’t fully deployed in the lopsided contest, his versatility allows Perk Valley a natural counter to Kucera, while Michael Poruban and Owen Peterlin provide prolific pass-catching threats on the outside.

But Heist’s focus on the defense means the need for continued strong play for Stephen Ciaudelli and linebacker Carter Euker.

“Downingtown West’s a terrific team,” Heist said. “Huge offensive line, aggressive defense, and well coached.”

Interboro at Pottstown, 7 p.m. Thursday

A nonleague meeting of District 1 Class 4A squads means another chance for Levert Hughes’ Trojans squad to get off the mat after last week’s loss to Lower Merion. Getting into the win column will require sustained defensive excellence from Dimark Lyons, who shined in the opener, and Nahzier Booker, who picked off a pass last week.

Interboro gave defending District 1 Class 5A champions Strath Haven a fight in the opener, succumbing 27-13. Running back Abu Kamara packs a punch in the rushing game and also accounted for the Bucs’ entire receiving output a week ago.

Olney Charter at Spring-Ford, 7 p.m. Thursday

A young defense acquitted itself nicely in the Rams’ 21-10 victory over Governor Mifflin last Friday, Offensively, Will Fish surpassed the 100-yard mark on the ground while the Zollers brothers (QB Matt and WR Zack) connected for 166 yards and two scores through the air.

The short week means less time to prepare for Olney Charter, however, a team with whom coach Chad Brubaker admits the Rams lack familiarity. “We don’t have a lot of film on them,” he said.

The Trojans come in on a high after a 12-9 win over Father Judge – a surprise to many, but a sign that coach Ron Flowers has Olney moving in the right direction coming into Coach McNelly Stadium.

Norristown at Upper Merion, 7 p.m. Thursday

The resumption of the Battle of the Bridge lost some of its luster a year ago when flooding hit the region the day before the contest, but both Norristown and Upper Merion will be motivated this year after season-opening losses.

“It might sound basic, but we weren’t able to do the things it takes to win football games last week,” summarized Upper Merion coach Davis Chubb. “Protect the quarterback, get open, make tackles. I’m looking for a bounce back this week.”

Adam Pacelli looks to key the improvement for the Vikings after a strong performance in the opener.

Phoenixville at Bishop Shanahan, 7 p.m. Friday

The Phantoms look to shake off the disappointment of a late loss to Great Valley last week, 27-20.

“We are close,” said coach Anthony Ciarlello. “But we need to finish. We need to put together a complete game.”

Shanahan brings back a deep group of running threats from last year’s District 1 Class 4A championship squad, a group Ciarlello says can “find ways to hurt us on both sides of the ball.”

Boyertown at Exeter, 7 p.m. Friday

Something’s gotta give in week two for a pair of squads that registered shutouts in their openers. Boyertown set several programs records in a 61-0 triumph over Upper Perkiomen, while Exeter began their defense of the District 3 Class 5A crown with a 35-0 win over Daniel Boone.

Bears head coach Justin Konnick praised the work of his team leaders, including Cole Yesavage and Anthony Famularo, while cautioning that this group is inspired to prove that they’re “better than people think they are.”

“We go out planning to win in every game,” said the first-year coach. “It’s the only way to build a program and continue to improve.”

Methacton at Plymouth Whitemarsh, 7 p.m. Friday

Methacton took Pottsgrove to the limit last week before falling 12-7 in a game where both sides displayed stifling defenses at times. This week’s contest at Plymouth Whitemarsh is the Warriors’ opportunity to show the resilience coach Brian Kennedy has preached throughout the offseason.
“Our fundamentals – blocking, tackling – are much improved over last year,” said Kennedy, “but we need to limit mistakes. We want to play smart and in control – control of the line of scrimmage and the clock.”

Kennedy cited quarterback Mike Wolbers, who made his first start last week, and TE/DL Josh Cancro as players to watch along with leading rusher Anthony Perillo.

West Catholic at Pottsgrove, 7 p.m. Friday

Amir Brunson and Bryce Caffrey shared the workload in the Falcons’ opening, come-from-behind win over Methacton last week, and this week the Falcons looks to increase new starting quarterback Gabe Rinda’s familiarity with the offense when they welcome defending District 12 Class 2A champions West Catholic to Pennypacker Field.

James McLaughlin contributed a pair of quarterback sacks in place of Xavier Leibensperger, who left early with an injury. The front seven again will be key in stopping the powerful West Catholic ground game, which flexed its muscles in last week’s 45-6 victory over High School of the Future.

Upper Perkiomen at Schuylkill Valley, 7 p.m. Friday

The Indians gained valuable experience last week at Boyertown, and this week they strive to continue their growth when they visit Schuylkill Valley.
Aiden Void was a bright spot for the Tribe on offense last week, hauling in a long pass from QB Mike Boyle. Upper Perk looks to build on the chemistry between the duo while finding more opportunities for Chidike Eruba and Zach Schwartz in this week’s gameplan.

Owen J. Roberts at Wissahickon, 7 p.m. Friday

A second-half rally wasn’t enough last week as the Wildcats fell to Conestoga. Michael Reed, starting his third year as OJR’s quarterback, connected for both touchdowns with senior WR Danny Cashman. But the Pioneers’ ability to control possession (45 rushing attempts to OJR’s 18) figured pivotally in the outcome, as Stoga’s final two touchdown drives ate up much of the fourth quarter.

This week, the ‘Cats look to establish more of a ground game of their own behind senior RB Hunter Rhoads, while Brendan Kelley and the defense face off with a Wissahickon squad also in search of their first victory of 2022.

Daniel Boone at Conestoga Valley, 7 p.m. Friday

Coach Rob Flowers offered several bright spots from the opener – specifically, the play of Max Heffner, who contributed in all three facets of the game with four receptions, four passes defended, and taking on punting duties for the Blazers. Heffner, Ryan Souder, and Jessie Smith are players to watch in this week’s contest at Conestoga Valley, where Flowers says Daniel Boone will strive for greater consistency and execution as they continue to work for their first win of the season.

Pope John Paul II vs. Father Judge, 4 p.m. Saturday (Ocean City, N.J.)

Scott Reed’s debut was a smashing success, and the Golden Panthers take on another Catholic League opponent this week in Father Judge as the two teams compete in the Battle at the Beach in Ocean City, N.J.

Chase Frantz, Brendan Kenning, Brent Mitala, and Braden Reed received specific praise for their physicality and consistency in last week’s 23-0 win over Archbishop Carroll. But PJP will need all that and more against a motivated Judge squad looking to bounce back from a season-opening defeat tat the hands of Olney Charter.

“They are a battle-tested team that plays an extremely difficult schedule,” said Reed. “Our focus needs to be on increased consistency.”