Unbeaten Pottsgrove still with plenty to prove against Pope John Paul II

October 19, 2017

2101

POTTSGROVE >> It’s a game that’s been circled on the Pottsgrove calendar all year: Friday, October 20. Opponent: Pope John Paul II.

Previously the Falcons had little trouble with the fledgling program since its inception, winning by an average of 39 points from 2010-2015. Funny, though, how one year can change it all.

It was the Golden Panthers shocking perennial power Pottsgrove at home last season, an 18-12 victory sealed with a fourth-down stop, a result that has the juices flowing for this year’s Frontier Division matchup.

Now, with the two squaring off with a combined 15-1 record, it’s safe to say this holds Frontier Game of the Year status.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this game to come,” Pottsgrove senior defensive lineman Michael Dickey said. “We wanted this game right off the bat when the season started.”

“That feeling we had walking off the field and the bus ride home was something else (after last season’s loss to PJP),” added senior defensive back Bailey Delp. “That was probably the worst day we’ve had.”

Pottsgrove (4-0 PAC, 8-0 overall) will look to make amends for that Oct. 22, 2016 loss almost a year to the day later. Again, they’ll have the tools to do so. Senior running back and Stony Brook commit Rahsul Faison leads the PAC in rushing by nearly 1,000 yards — his 1,916 yards and 27 touchdowns far and away tops in the league. He’s complemented by the reliable arm of Jay Sisko at quarterback — 537 yards and nine touchdowns — and a defense that has built an electric fence around their end zone — allowing just 71 points (8.9 ppg) all season. That squad is led by the play of senior Dickey and a vaunted front seven plus an athletic secondary led by Delp, Jimai Springfield, Kobey Baldwin and Dez Austin. Their plus-eight turnover differential ranks second in the league with Springfield (four) and Delp (three) ranking third and fifth, respectively, in interceptions.

Pottsgrove quarterback Jay Sisko rolls out of the pocket earlier this season against Phoenixville. (Barry Taglieber – For Digital First Media)

They’ll be facing a tough test in containing PJP quarterback Matt DeLaurentis, who is gifted at eluding pressure and throwing on the run. His 1,417 passing yards and 12 touchdowns rank second in the PAC. Add in running back AJ Natale (503 yards, eight touchdowns), a solid group of receivers and a hungry Panthers squad that is coming off a 41-14 loss to Upper Perkiomen, and this one has the makings for an electric Friday night.

Pope John Paul II quarterback Matt DeLaurentis rushes on a keeper against Phoenixville earlier this season. (Sam Stewart – Digital First Media)

“We just have to do our jobs and do what we’re told,” Delp said. “If we don’t, we’re going to lose.”

“It’s going to be last year all over again,” Dickey continued. “After the loss last year, we know this year that we’re going to have to by physical. We know they (PJP) are coming in fired up off their loss against Upper Perk and are going to come in with their hair on fire. We have to be the same, play mistake free football.”

Prediction >> Pottsgrove 35, Pope John Paul II 20.

Perkiomen Valley looks to continue dominance

The Vikings (4-0 PAC, 7-1 overall) have already clinched the PAC Liberty Division ahead of their annual rivalry tilt with Methacton. So far, though, it’s been a heavily one-sided one. Perkiomen Valley has won the past nine “Battle Ax” games since the Warriors (0-4, 0-8) entered the league and haven’t lost to the Warriors since a 35-13 defeat in 1993 capped a four-game losing streak to the boys on Germantown Pike. Don’t expect much to change this season, especially during the Vikings’ Homecoming. The defense has allowed one touchdown at Thomas J. Keenan Stadium in four wins.

Perkiomen Valley’s Jon Moccia breaks a tackle en route to an eight-yard run. (Sam Stewart – Digital First Media)

Prediction >> Perkiomen Valley 35, Methacton 0.

Spring-Ford, Owen J. Roberts set for PAC battle

This goes deeper than PAC standings, this goes into the battle for the last spots in the District 1 Class 6A playoff race. Spring-Ford (3-1, 5-3), lethargic in the first half during its 16-0 victory over Boyertown last week, will look to solidify its spot in the district playoffs after coming into this week ranked No. 16. OJR (2-2, 6-2), ranked No. 14, will look for its first victory over the Rams since 2009.

Prediction >> Spring-Ford 21, Owen J. Roberts 17.

Elsewhere around the area:

Boyertown (2-2, 2-6) has a chance to finish third in the PAC Liberty with a win and OJR loss. Their opponent is a relatively new one as the Bears have only faced Norristown once before — a 20-14 win for Boyertown last season. Boyertown 24, Norristown 13.
Phoenixville (1-3, 1-7) looks to win two out of three when they travel to Upper Merion (1-3, 1-7). The Vikings won their matchup last season, with the help of a scoop-and-score on a blocked field goal. Phoenixville 24, Upper Merion 14.
Upper Perkiomen (3-1, 5-3) can lock up the No. 2 seed in the Frontier with a win and PJP loss. The Indians will face Pottstown, a 27-6 loser to Upper Merion last week. The trio of Austin Tutolo, Tyler Whary and Tyrese Reid rushed for more than 275 yards in last week’s 41-14 win over PJP. They’ll face a Trojan team ranked 11th in rush defense (236.6 ypg). Upper Perkiomen 34, Pottstown 12.
Daniel Boone (2-2 Berks I, 2-5) will look to get back on track with a non-league contest against Gettysburg. The Warriors (4-3 overall) come in winners of two straight, the team combining for 414 yards of total offense in a 42-7 victory over Kennard-Dale last week. Daniel Boone quarterback Joshua Ehst ranks No. 19 in Berks in rushing yards (361 on 114 attempts). Gettysburg 35, Daniel Boone 21.
The Hill School (0-6) hosts Blair Academy on Saturday. Blair (4-1) is coming off a 41-0 victory over Mercersburg Academy, racking up 360 rushing yards and 419 yards of total offense in the win. Blair Academy 38, Hill 14.