Mercury Week 4 Preview: PAC sticking together for final non-league week

The final week of non-league play is a bit of a misnomer around the area, as four teams from each Pioneer Athletic Conference division play counterparts from the opposing division.

No, these contests won’t count for the league standings, but they represent an equally significant measuring stick for each team. Whether by design or by coincidence, each matchup pits a pair of teams that resemble one another in either approach or standing.

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

Up first is a rematch of 2021’s Mercury-area Game of the Year.

The visiting Falcons may be the most snakebit 2-1 team in recent memory. Injuries have done a number on the squad’s depth, with four different ballcarriers out for the foreseeable future. As such, the responsibilities of junior QB Gabe Rinda have expanded considerably. Aside from helming the passing attack, Rinda was Pottsgrove’s leading rusher last week at Norristown in a tight 20-13 loss that knocked the Flacons from the ranks of the undefeated.

This week, coach Bill Hawthorne figures to continue leaning on a resilient, senior-laden offensive line that does its job regardless of who’s carrying the ball that week.

Across the field, first-year coach Justin Konnick and the Bears look for a signature win before the start of league play, albeit one with perhaps a bit less drama than last year’s 42-35, quadruple-overtime win at Pottsgrove. The Bears are led by PAC leading rusher Cole Yesavage (423 yards on 8.3 yards per carry, 6 TDs) while Anthony Famularo brings valuable leadership to both sides of the ball. Kicker Chase Sennott is a perfect 10-for-10 on conversions this season.

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

First victories are sometimes the hardest to come by, but Methacton persevered to reach the landmark last week in an 18-8 triumph over Wissahickon. Coach Brian Kennedy was happy with the determination shown by his rushing attack, charging for 232 yards – Tyler Weil-Kaspar ran for a team-high 127 and 2 TDs – and coming back from an early deficit to claim the victory.

Against the Tribe, Kennedy says the team needs to sustain its focus on eliminating mistakes while they continue to add new playmaking threats on offense.

Meanwhile, Upper Perkiomen hopes they can bounce back from a one-sided loss to Fleetwood, as they did in their first win against Schuylkill Valley in week 2. Quarterback Mike Boyle continues to gain familiarity with the offensive structure, aided by the running threat of Zach Schwartz (250 yards on 5.1 yards per carry, 4 TDs) and receiving threats Chidike Eruba and Aiden Void.

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

The goal for both teams is simple – build a winning streak. Neither side wants a letdown after breakthrough wins last week, and ultimately this one may come down to the battle of running games.

For the Trojans, Joel Mundo, Nahzier Booker, and Rashean Bostic split ball-carrying duties. Last week Jamal Griffin served as a bell cow back for the Eagles in a win over Pottsgrove (15 carries, 116 yards, 2 TDs). Coach Joe Milligan’s team will need to avoid turnovers, as they were able to survive losing three fumbles after halftime against the Falcons.

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

This matchup pits a pair of teams on two-game winning streaks after dropping their season openers. Yusuf Riley and Adam Besz got Upper Merion’s rushing game going last week in a win over William Tennent, grinding out a combined 92 yards and opening up the aerial game for Zayd Etheridge (136 yards passing, 2 TDs last week). Mike Scavello and Adam Pacelli figured prominently in the victory-preserving stand in the final minute on defense.

The challenges continue against an Owen J. Roberts defense featuring Brandon Kelley and Andrew Lehman, who each recorded a pair of sacks last week against Avon Grove.

“OJR has a toughness about them,” said Upper Merion coach Davis Chubb. “They know what they want to do, and they do it really well. We need to match their physicality.”

In other Week 4 action…

Roman Catholic (3-0) at Perkiomen Valley (3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Perkiomen Valley completes their nonleague gauntlet with arguably their toughest test yet – Roman Catholic of the Philadelphia Catholic League. Loaded with Division 1 prospects, the Cahillites have yet to be challenged in three victories and continue to light up the scoreboard. Last week’s 31-0 win over West Catholic was actually their lowest scoring output thus far.

As such, PV coach Rob Heist knows his Vikings squad is in for yet another stern challenge. He wasn’t sure whether he’d have Danny Koehler available at quarterback after missing last week with an injury, but sophomore Patrick MacDonald provides a more-than-capable option in case of Koehler’s continued absence.

Heist emphasized the importance of sound special teams play against a team with the prolific offense Roman presents, and named Robbie Sturges, Sam Koehler, and Stephen Ciaudelli as keys to the Vikings’ ability to slow – if not stop – the Cahillites’ attack.

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

It’s the second straight District 3 opponent for the Rams, and the second straight week of preparing the young secondary for a prolific quarterback. But unlike last week, this week’s opponents figure to do most of their damage through the air.

Manheim Township junior Hayden Johnson is completing an eye-popping 73-percent of his passes while averaging 31 attempts per contest. He’s thrown for over 700 yards and seven scores thus far in 2022 and has four different receivers in double digits in receptions.

“We need to limit chunk plays,” said Rams coach Chad Brubaker, who lauded the defense’s efforts against the multi-faceted rushing attack of Cumberland Valley a week ago.

Along with the continued development of the secondary, Brubaker pointed to two-way standout senior Zach Zollers as a key. Zollers filled the stat sheet last week eight tackles (five for loss) and five receptions on offense.

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

So far, Phoenixville has battled the undefeated squads of Great Valley and Chester in nonleague action and adds to that gauntlet this week with 3-0 Springfield-Montco.

Coach Anthony Ciarlello was pleased with the sustained effort in a tough second half against Chester and added that the front seven will be on the spot this week against Springfield’s Wing-T offense.

“We need to beat the system,” said Ciarlello. “We’re going to see a lot of misdirection.”

Garden Spot (2-1) at Daniel Boone (1-2), 7 p.m. Friday

The Blazers welcome a 2-1 Garden Spot team, and coach Rob Flowers said the improvement he saw last week in terms of physicality and energy must improve this week in regard to the passing game. Defensively, Flowers wants to see the team clean up some missed tackle and other small errors to sustain improvement.

“Physicality is a choice. Tackling is a choice,” he said. “This is what’s needed as we approach league play.”

Ethan Kryman, who burst loose for 171 yards in last week’s win against Muhlenberg, will look to continue contributing on both sides of the ball along with two-way lineman Jessie Smith. Free safety Jared Hewitt leads the Boone defense.

Hill School (0-1) at Episcopal Academy (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The Rams continue their journey through the Inter-Ac when they travel to undefeated Episcopal Academy this week. Charlie Hewitt fired a pair of touchdown passes in the opener, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Germantown Academy in a 28-21 defeat.

Springside Chestnut Hill visits next week for Hill’s home opener as the team prepares for Mid-Atlantic Prep league play.

Pope John Paul II (3-0) at Bartram (1-2), 1 p.m. Saturday

Coach Scott Reed and the Golden Panthers have passed their first several tests with flying colors, thanks to an offensive line of Connor Albeck, Sean Lyons, Aidan Sgarra, Chase Frantz, Nyzir Lake, and Justin Lopata protecting QB Luke Terlesky, who broke out with 294 passing yards and three TD passes in last week’s win over Berks Catholic.

Reed also lauded the play of Chris Lucci and Braden Reed on defense. This week’s game against Bartram will see the Golden Panthers challenged by a multi-dimensional offense, highlighted by a prolific stable of backs and a dual threat at QB.

Ben Bosio, a perfect 12-for-12 on conversion so far this season, received specific praise for locating his kickoffs away from the prolific returners PJP has played.

2022 Pioneer Athletic Conference Leaders

Passing Leaders