The Pioneer Athletic Conference Football Coaches Association

The Pioneer Athletic Conference Football Coaches Association held its 23rd annual all-league banquet Sunday afternoon at the Pottstown Elks Club on High Street in Pottstown.
Some 230 players, coaches, family members and friends attended the event.
The Pottsgrove Falcons and head coach Rick Pennypacker, a 1972 graduate of Spring-Ford Area High School and a Spring City resident, were honored for their league championship season. Pennypacker gave remarks and noted how tough a league the PAC-10 is with so many quality coaches and players competing.
Six special awards were presented. They included the David L. Freed Award, Trevor Sasek, Spring-Ford; Joe Edwards Scholarship, Rhashad Santiago, Perkiomen Valley; Offensive Player of the Year, Ryan Brumfield, Owen J. Roberts; Defensive Player of the Year, Sam Morgan, Owen J. Roberts; Two-Way Player of the Year, Tim Smith, Methacton; and Most Valuable Player, Terrell Chestnut, Pottsgrove.
Perkiomen Valley head coach Scott Reed told the emotional story of Santiago, a troubled youngster who has turned his life around with the help of other people. After his mother had to relinquish her four children, Santiago lost two parents while growing up and spent some time trying to fend for himself on the streets of Pottstown after being adopted and then not wanted. He spent some time at Glen Mills School before coming to Perkiomen Valley. Santiago now carries an impressive 3.3 grade point average, scored 1,180 on his college boards and is a model citizen among his peers. He received a deserved standing ovation from the crowd.
Also honored were Bill Rogers, a coach for more than 50 years at several schools in the area; and longtime PAC-10 assigner of officials Nick Pergine Sr., who is now battling cancer.
I enjoyed covering the banquet once again. Phoenix photographer Barry Taglieber was also on hand and some of his photos can be seen on a slide show on line.

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Barry Sankey