Mercury Week 4 Football Preview: PV saves toughest non-league test for last

It hasn’t been the easiest start to 2019 for the Perkiomen Valley Vikings football team.

And that’s exactly the way coach Rob Heist likes it.

“Iron sharpens iron,” the coach is fond of saying, and the Vikings have looked plenty sharp in early-season victories over Avon Grove and Pennridge. Even in their lone loss against Downingtown East, the Vikings’ offense had its moments and the defense stood up admirably to one of District 1’s most punishing running attacks for four quarters.

Friday night, however, figures to bring a different type of challenge as the Vikings travel to Kottmeyer Stadium to battle the Whippets of Downingtown West, arguably District 1’s most impressive team through three weeks of play. The Whippets have taken their show on the road the last couple weeks, smashing perennial Suburban One contenders Central Bucks South and Neshaminy after a dominant home win over Central League champion Garnet Valley.

Coach Mike Milano has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, headlined by senior QB and Kansas State commit Will Howard, who’s passed for eight touchdowns against only one interception thus far this year. It’s hard to identify Howard’s favorite target by the stats, but seniors Alex Rosano and Sean Pelkisson are in the conversation as well as junior Julian Williams, who enjoyed a breakout game against Neshaminy.

D-West’s ground attack, led by senior RB Tyriq Lewis, is averaging well over 200 yards per outing thus far. With no disrespect to their first three opponents, the Whippets will present the most diverse and prolific attack Perkiomen Valley has seen thus far.

“Talent, strength, and experience from top to bottom—they’re an outstanding football team,” agreed Heist. “Coach Milano’s not only a great coach, he’s a great person as well, and he’ll have them ready to play at the highest level as he always does.

“But we’re excited. We believe we can be competitive with anyone when we execute and play our Viking brand of football, and it’ll be exciting to see how we stack up against one of the best teams in District 1.”

One reason for Heist’s optimism is the gradual emergence of Perkiomen Valley’s own formidable rushing attack. The combination of senior Jacob Sturm and Jon Moccia combined for 222 yards and three scores in last week’s win over Pennridge, while the Vikings’ passing game has seen QB Ethan Kohler connect with WR/CB Randy Washington for three long touchdown passes in the early going this season.

The Vikings are powered by a big, experienced offensive line of their own, while a young defense continues to impress. Aside from Washington, who was recently named to the U.S. team for the International Bowl this winter for his play at defensive back, Brendan Shayer has emerged as a reliable presence in the back seven at outside linebacker, while Jacob Sterling anchors a defensive line that will have its hands full with Lewis and the Whippets’ ground game.

“I’ve been pleased with the physicality we’ve shown these first few weeks,” said Heist. “Best of all, we made significant improvements in the special teams area. We can thank Brayden Basile, our kicker/punter, for helping us to win the field position battle in the Pennridge game, which was critical in less-than-ideal conditions.”

It’s the last week of nonleague tests before PAC play begins in Week 5 and rest assured after this week, Perkiomen Valley will know exactly who they are as they begin the quest for a fourth straight PAC title.

Boyertown (1-2) at Berks Catholic (1-2), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> The Saints thrashed Boyertown 64-6 last season.

Preview >> To improve on last year’s performance, Boyertown needs a defensive performance that resembles the way they played in the first 42 minutes of last week’s game against Pottsgrove. The Bears fell apart late, leaving coach TJ Miller to call for improved consistency on both sides of the ball. “We made some strides last week but it’s really up to our offense to get back to our style of football. We need to be faster on that side of the ball with our line and our backs.

Miller looks forward to matching wits with Berks Catholic Rick Keeley. Miller’s father coached with Keeley at Holy Name High back in the 1990s. “It’s an honor to go against one of the greats in our area,” he said.

Cheltenham (2-1) at Norristown (0-3), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> The Panthers topped Norristown 17-7 last season.

Preview >> It’s the first night game at Norristown’s on-campus field after the installation of lights during the offseason, and the Eagles hope to celebrate with their initial victory of 2019. Plymouth-Whitemarsh racked up nearly 400 yards on the ground in last week’s win over the Eagles, and Norristown will need a more disciplined effort on both sides of the ball to compete with a resurgent Cheltenham squad.

Chichester (0-3) at Phoenixville (1-2), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> The Phantoms dropped a 20-9 decision to Chichester a year ago.

Preview >> Last week’s drubbing of Dobbins showed what Phoenixville’s ground game can do, as three players racked up 50+ yards rushing and the team amassed eight rushing touchdowns in a 60-6 win. Coach Don Grinstead was pleased with the team’s sustained effort through a game that was decided early, and pointed to sophomore safety Trey Davis as an example of the improved defensive effort he sees week to week.

What Chichester lacks in size is made up in athleticism, so this week Grinstead plans to try to keep the Eagles guessing. Defensively, the skill positions will pose Phoenixville’s biggest challenge as they attempt to corral a dual-threat QB and numerous skill positions threats for Chichester.

Christ the King (NY) (2-0) at Pottsgrove (1-2), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> Teams have not previously met.

Preview >> One week after performing admirably against Boyertown’s triple-option attack, the Falcons will see a young secondary tested repeatedly against what Coach Bill Hawthorne calls a pass-dominant Christ the King team, who visits from Middle Village, NY. The coach was pleased with not only the on-field plays of Darrian Seaman (three sacks) and Isaiah Taylor (255 yards rushing, five TDs vs. Boyertown) but also the duo’s leadership off the field and in the locker room.

Improvement was evident, but Hawthorne continues to emphasis cutting back on mistakes. “As we move into the fourth game of the season,” he said, “we aren’t a young team anymore. Christ the King will be an excellent measuring stick, especially for our secondary.”

Fleetwood (3-0) at Upper Perkiomen (1-2), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> Fleetwood nipped the Tribe, 24-21 last year.

Preview >> Already having improved upon last season’s two-win total, Fleetwood looks to roll into Berks League play undefeated when they take on Upper Perkiomen. The Tribe can expect to face a vastly improved offensive unit, as Fleetwood has averaged 44 points per game thus far, including last week’s 46-28 victory over Twin Valley.

The Indians will aim to get sophomore RB Logan Simmon back to his form of the first two weeks after he found some rough sledding against Upper Moreland in last week’s loss. The continued improvement of QB Hunter Flack will help Upper Perk to keep the Tigers guessing on defense.

Owen J. Roberts (3-0) at Upper Merion (2-1), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> The schools met twice in 2018, with OJR shutting out the Vikings 21-0 in Week 3. The Vikings got their revenge during PAC Crossover Week, knocking the Wildcats from the playoffs with a 28-26 win.

Preview >> OJR coach Rich Kolka lauded the efforts of his JV players who moved into the lineup due to injuries during last week’s nail-biting, 14-13 victory over Avon Grove. Cooper Chamberlain continues to display his dual-threat abilities, leading the team again in rushing with 88 yards and passing for another 146. Jon Hannevig’s interception was his second in as many weeks, and he added a 78-yard TD reception.

This week, the Wildcats renew acquaintances with Upper Merion after last season’s thrilling, seesaw home-and-home series. Kolka says he’s wary of a physical Vikings team coming off a loss to Methacton and will need to have his defense ready to battle a smashmouth Upper Merion offense led by senior RB Anthony Swenda.

Upper Merion coach Victor Brown looks for renewed energy from his squad after what he saw as a missed opportunity in last week’s loss to Methacton. Brown says the onus will be on the lines, as well as his secondary keeping OJR’s talented receivers in check.

Pope John Paul (2-1) at Schuylkill Valley (1-2), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> The Golden Panthers topped Schuylkill Valley 42-14 last year.

Preview >> After struggling in the second half of an opening loss to Roman Catholic, the Golden Panthers’ defense has rebounded with a purpose, allowing only a total of six points in consecutive wins over New Hope-Solebury and Chichester. Last week’s shutout was spearheaded by Josh Little’s 11 tackles, including a sack. Meanwhile, Chris Bruder, Steele Depetrillo and others have stepped forward to give PJP balance with their passing potent game led by QB Kamal Gray (PAC-leading 10 TD passes.)

Schuylkill Valley, a 3A school from District 3, comes in off their first victory, a 35-0 shutout of York County Tech.

Pottstown (2-1) at Methacton (2-1), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> The Trojans topped Methacton in a 2018 slugfest, 12-6.

Preview >> It could be another defensive battle, as the Warriors come off a signature victory against Upper Merion in which they lost star tailback Michael Torcini to a shoulder injury, Without Torcini available, they’ll turn to Justin Carfrey and Nick Olivieri to carry the ball behind an offensive line that coach Dave Lotier has challenged to have its best game this week.

Pottstown’s Jeff Delaney is similarly emphasizing physicality up front on both sides of the ball, an area where his team was successful last week vs. Kutztown. The Trojans may enjoy a slight edge in playmakers in this one, with Daniel Darden getting on track alongside freshman QB Joneil Oister, though the team announced Malachi Neely is out for the season with a torn ACL. On the defensive side, Jon Oister has been a standout for Pottstown, averaging double-digit tackles in the first three contests.

Spring-Ford (1-2) at Exeter (2-1), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> The Rams outlasted Exeter in an overtime thriller last season, 33-27.

Preview >> With two losses already this season, the Rams have a sense of urgency this week if they hope to achieve the goals set in preseason by the team’s seniors. One of those seniors, Blake Terrizzi, has been a key to the team’s performance on both sides of the ball and will need to be an ironman threat on Friday night as well.

It may be hard to top last season’s clash, but another shootout seems likely as Spring-Ford’s prolific passing attack goes up against the remarkable balance of Exeter (193 yards rushing, 165 yards passing per game through three games.) QB Gavin McCusker is supported by top rusher Wender Polanco and leading receiver Alex Javier. Both teams’ offenses are averaging over 30 points per game in the early season.

Conrad Weiser (1-2) at Daniel Boone (1-2), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> The Scouts topped Boone, 42-14, in 2018.

Preview >> After a strong opening performance, Daniel Boone has struggled to secure the football offensively. Last week’s miscues were particularly costly in a tight 14-9 loss to Bishop Shanahan. Coach Rob Flowers hopes to see the defense and special teams continue giving the offense strong field position as they work out the kinks in the attack.

As the Blazers enter Berks Inter-County play, their first opponents are the Scouts of Conrad Weiser, who gained their first victory last week against Elizabethtown. Boone hopes to improve on last year’s mark of only two victories within the conference.

Academy of the New Church (2-0) at Hill School (0-1), Friday 7 p.m.

Last Meeting >> Schools have not met previously.

Preview >> Hill dropped a tight opener last week to Wyoming Seminary, 19-13. The Rams can expect a stiff test this week from the Bicentennial League’s Lions, who have won their first two contests by a combined score of 81-6.