PAC football players honored with Coaches’ Association Awards
Outstanding performers from Spring-Ford’s Pioneer Athletic Conference championship football team led the honorees of the PAC Coaches Association the week of Dec. 14.
Four of the six honorees starred for the Rams’ second straight title-winning squad, led by Most Valuable Player Nick Teets, the 2020 Mercury Area Player of the Year. Teets filled the stat sheet for Spring-Ford on offense and helped anchored a defense that allowed fewer than six points per game through the five-game PAC slate.
“Nick was tremendous for us on both sides of the ball,” Rams coach Chad Brubaker said. “His aggressiveness on defense and his elusiveness on offense set him apart from others.”
Teets was joined by Two-Way Player of the Year Josh Hellauer, who stood out as tight end and defensive end (first-team Mercury All-Area at both spots). Hellauer averaged ten yards per reception on offense while leading the PAC champions in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (four) on the defensive side of the ball. He also averaged 35 yards per boot on 20 punts for good measure.
Calling Hellauer ‘a coach’s prototype,’ Brubaker lauded the senior’s football IQ and work ethic.
“He works extremely hard in the weight room,” Brubaker said, “plus he is coachable and smart on the field, and does everything well on both sides of the ball.”
The offensive MVP award went to Perkiomen Valley’s junior quarterback Ethan Kohler. Kohler completed 63 percent of his passes in his second year as the Vikings’ starter, amassing 1,425 yards through the air and a remarkable 16 passing touchdowns to only one interception. The quarterback also led the area in rushing touchdowns with seven.
“Ethan had a terrific season for us this year,” said Vikings coach Rob Heist, “plus he’s an outstanding leader on the field and in the classroom. He continues to grow as a quarterback and as a student of the game. We’re very excited to have our captain back next season to lead our team.
Lineman of the Year went to OJR two-way standout John Havrilak.
“He knows every assignment on both sides,” said his coach, Rich Kolka. “His work ethic contributes to his ability to learn from any mistakes, and he’s really fun to coach.”
The coaches turned back to Spring-Ford to honor the Defensive MVP and Specialist of the Year, linebacker Ryan Horvath and kicker Alex Nadeau respectively.
“I haven’t seen many players with better instincts and ability to read what’s in front of them than Ryan,” Brubaker said. “As for Alex, he’s worked extremely hard to make himself into an accurate, reliable kicker.”
Horvath led Spring-Ford with 38 tackles on the season (10 stops for loss) adding two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. Nadeau led PAC kickers in points scored (38), going 29-of-30 on PATs and 3-of-4 on field goals.
The PAC still hopes to hold its annual football banquet when public health conditions allow, perhaps in Spring 2021. Honors including the David L. Freed Award and Joseph Edwards Scholarship will be presented at that time.
