Phoenixville travels to Pottstown

Phoenixville travels to Pottstown’s Grigg Memorial Stadium Friday night to face the winless Trojans in PAC-10 football action.
Phoenixville (2-4, 2-6) is coming off a 21-12 loss to Upper Perkiomen while Pottstown (0-6, 0-8) fell victim to Perkiomen Valley in the second half, 28-21.
The Trojans led the Vikings 14-7 after the first quarter and 21-14 at halftime before being outscored 14-0 in the second half.
“They (Trojans) have scored on everyone,” said Phoenixville coach Bill Furlong. “Their offense is as good as any in the league. Our offense hasn’t been good. Their defense hasn’t held up, but they have scored points. They have plenty of offensive weapons. They have some size on the line. They have a couple real big guys. We have to play better and more consistent. We have to eliminate the mistakes.”
Pottstown’s quarterback is junior Jeff Endy (5-9, 155). The running backs are Marc Smith and sophomore Malik Brinkley (5-8, 165).
The Trojans are in their third year under head coach Brett Myers. Endy completed 3 of 7 aerials for 61 yards against PV. Junior wide receiver Dawon Matthews (6-1, 175) caught two of those throws for 46 yards.
Smith rushed for 83 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns covering, 4, 2 and 34 yards. and Brinkley totaled 125 yards on 16 tries. The tight end is sophomore Cory Hueber (6-0, 165), who blocked and recovered a punt last week. Junior Kyle Dentler booted three extra points.
Up front the Trojans field the likes of senior tackles William Carter (6-3, 285) and Jacob Slick (6-3, 340) as well as senior guards Evan Bauer (6-3, 225) and David Mackiewicz (6-0, 20)) with junior Dustin Rhoads (5-10, 235) at center.
Furlong liked the way his offense showed positive signs against the Indians with quarterback Tom Romano throwing the ball effectively to tight end Vince Ciaverelli. He thought the offensive line gave ample time to throw.
“We have to run the ball better,” said Furlong. “We haven’t run the ball well since the Methacton game. All year our offense hasn’t done a great job. We haven’t been able to open things up consistently. Until we do, teams are going to load up against us and bring everybody up. The passes we’ve had have been on play-action because they are coming up on the run so much.”
The Phantoms don’t have the big-play ability with speed and quickness that they have had in the past so opposing defenses are jamming the line of scrimmage and blitzing when needed.
Senior defensive end Brandon Johnston recovered a pair of fumbles against the Indians, and Ducky Ryan continued his excellent play in the secondary with an interception.
Romano completed 5 of 11 passes for 119 yards against the Tribe with Ciaverelli making four receptions for 116 yards. Romano doubles at cornerback and Ciaverelli doubles at linebacker on defense. Physical senior Sam McQuiston is the Phantoms’ top rusher and scored on a 16-yard run last week while doubling at linebacker. Travis Andrews and Vinny Nattle have shown signs of promise as sophomore backs. Junior Dan Kain has improved as a wide receiver and defensive back.
Furlong feels the Phantoms’ defense has kept the ballclub in every ballgame thus far this season.

Winning streak snapped up by Upper Perkiomen

Phoenixville saw its two-game shutout winning streak snapped by Upper Perkiomen, 21-12, in Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) football action last Friday night in the rain at Washington Field.
The Indians took an early 14-0 lead and then held on to the ball and held off the Phantoms, who scored with the aid of a couple big plays against the Tribe.
Upper Perkiomen seniors Esomchim Akpunonu and Chase Fleming anchored the running game for the Indians. Akpunonu gained 111 yards on 28 carries with a 2-yard scoring run while Fleming picked up 55 yards on 15 attempts. Senior quarterback Casey Perlstein ran for a 1-yard TD and completed 7 of 12 passes for 100 yards, including a 24-yard TD strike to Fleming.
Upper Perkiomen, which is still in the hunt for a District 1 Class AAA playoff berth, upped its record to 4-2 in the PAC-10 (6-2 overall). Phoenixville slipped to 2-4 (2-6).
The Phantoms celebrated Senior Night in pre-game ceremonies, honoring senior members of the football team, cheerleaders and band.
Phoenixville senior running back Sam McQuiston scored on a 16-yard run. Junior Dan Kain passed 17 yards to sophomore Travis Andrews for the other Phoenixville TD on a halfback pass off a reverse called by Phantom head coach Bill Furlong.
The Tribe rushed 52 times for 214 yards with a strong effort from its offensive line and finished with 314 yards of total offense on 64 plays.
Phoenixville rushed 32 times for 90 yards and totaled 233 yards on 45 plays for the evening.
The Phantoms visit winless Pottstown (0-6, 0-8) this coming Friday night at Grigg Memorial Field while Upper Perkiomen travels to play first-place Pottsgrove (6-0, 8-0). Coach Rick Pennypacker’s Falcons are the defending league champions.

Phoenixville/Upper Perk Football preview

Phoenixville’s football team, coming off two straight victories by shutouts, faces a tough Upper Perkiomen squad Friday night at Washington Field at 7 p.m. This will be Senior Night for nine Phantom 12th graders.
The Phantoms (2-3 PAC-10, 2-5 overall) have beaten Methacton (18-0) and then Perkiomen Valley (6-0) last Friday night in rain at Graterford the last two weekends. Upper Perkiomen (3-2, 5-2), which is battling for a District 1 Class AAA playoff berth, hammered Methacton, 55-14, last week to celebrate Homecoming.
The Indians are coached by Keith Leamer, who is in his sixth year at the helm of the Tribe.
Upper Perkiomen is led by senior running back/linebacker Chase Fleming (6-0, 210), who has scored nine touchdowns for 54 points. Fleming rolled up 167 yards on 22 carries with three touchdowns against Methacton. For the season, Fleming has chalked up 649 yards on 78 tries (8.3 avg.).
The Indians have another tough runner in senior Esomchim Akpunonu, who has scored seven TDs for 42 points. Akpunonu gained 127 yards and scored four TDs on 16 attempts against the Warriors.
The Upper Perkiomen quarterback is junior Casey Perlstein (6-1, 180), who has completed 42 of 78 aerials for 639 yards with five TDs and five interceptions. Perlstein went 3-for-3 through the air for 34 yards last week.
The Indians ran for 341 yards and gained 375 total yards against the Warriors. Upper Perkiomen limited Methacton to 71 yards rushing and 30 passing for 101 total yards.
Ronnie Gillespie, a 5-9, 155-pound sophomore, bolted 78 yards for a score on a kickoff return.
The Tribe’s leading receivers are senior Andrew Orlick (5-10, 165), who has 13 catches for 159 yards (12.2 avg.); and Fleming, who has 10 grabs for 143 yards (14.3).
Kicker Matt Kirkpatrick has one field goal and 27 placements for 30 total markers.
Other Tribe players to watch include senior tight end/defensive end Nick Hale (5-10, 210) and two-way senior Steven Grover (5-10, 200). Hale had two sacks and one tackle for loss last week while Grover had one sack and one tackle for loss. The offensive tackles are Mike Paul (6-4, 220) and Dwayne Gillespie (5-11, 260).
Phoenixville senior Sam McQuiston has now rushed for 478 yards on 98 attempts (4.9 avg.). McQuiston, who doubles at linebacker, is one of nine seniors on the roster. The others are Ducky Ryan, Ricky Yenchick, Greg Porter, Brandon Johnston, Matt Viscuso, Steve Carter, Kevin Bohl and Vince Ciaverelli.
Phantom head coach Bill Furlong said the team’s defensive line has played exceptionally well in the two shutouts. That includes tackles Ken Cenci and Marcus Stokes, nose guard Dennis Kelly and ends Porter and Johnston. Carter, the club’s center on offense, has also seen time along the defensive line, which is coached by defensive coordinator Don Jackson and defensive line specialist coach Nick Rotondo.
The secondary has come along with Ryan at safety and Tom Romano and Dan Kain on the corners. Kain and Romano each intercepted a pass last week.
“We have the same kids playing every play both ways on offense and defense,” said Furlong. “Credit Don Jackson and Nick Rotondo for what they are doing scheme-wise.”
Furlong is wary of Upper Perkiomen.
“They (Indians) are pretty balanced with Chase Fleming and the quarterback Perlstein so they are pretty balanced,” said Furlong. “Their line is solid.”
The Phantoms visit Pottstown at Grigg Memorial Field next Friday evening.

Phoenixville wins second straight game

Phoenixville won its second straight football game last Friday night, edging favored Perkiomen Valley 6-0 in steady rain at Thomas J. Keenan Stadium in Graterford.
The Phantoms’ victory also dampened the spirits of the Perkiomen Valley Homecoming evening.
The lone touchdown of the game came on a 34-yard pass from junior quarterback to junior wideout Dan Kain with 9:35 remaining in the first period.
The score came on the fifth play of the game and was set up by another 34-yard pass from Romano to Vinny Nattle.
Phoenixville’s defense stepped to the plate with its second straight shutout following an 18-0 whitewash at Washington Field the previous weekend.
The Phantoms recovered two Perkomen Valley fumbles and intercepted two passes in the pivotal turnover department. For the 2009 season, coach Don Jackson’s defense has recovered 14 fumbles while the Phantoms have lost six fumbles. Phoenixville has also intercepted six passes while giving up six interceptions. So overall, the Phantoms are plus-eight in turnovers heading into Friday night’s Senior Night game against Upper Perkiomen at Washington Field.
Defensive tackle Marcus Stokes stepped up his play in the second half of the game against the Vikings to help spark the defense along with Ducky Ryan, Vince Ciaverelli, Sam McQuiston and Travis Andrews.
Head coach Bill Furlong’s Phantoms have now won two straight games following five consecutive setbacks to start the year.

Phoenixville/Perk valley preview

Phoenixville faces Perkiomen Valley tonight in Graterford at 7 p.m. in PAC-10 football action.
The Phantoms are 1-3 in the PAC-10 (1-5 overall) following last week’s 18-0 shutout of Methacton. Perkiomen Valley is 3-1 (4-2) after a 29-7 victory over Boyertown.
The Phantoms are coming off a shutout by their steady defense, which was led by Ducky Ryan and Vince Ciaverelli, with 11 tackles apiece. Vinny Nattle returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown and also recovered a key fumble.
Quarterback Tom Romano returned to the lineup after a three-game absence due to an arm injury and passed for 81 yards and one TD.
The Vikings have scored 120 points (20.0 avg.) while allowing 95 markers (15.8 avg.). The Phantoms have scored 89 counters (14.8) and allowed 132 (22.0).
PV senior running back Steve Morrow (5-10, 170) has scored five TDs for 30 points and has rushed for 558 yards on 80 carries (7.0 avg.) for one of the top marks in the area. Senior quarterback Pat Catagnus (5-8, 170) has completed 55 of 99 aerials for 580 yards with three TDs and six interceptions.
Senior running back Matt Kline (5-10, 175) has caught 17 throws for 222 yards (13.1 avg.). Senior fullback Jon Schmidt (6-0, 180) has 12 catches for 98 yards (8.2 avg.).
Coach Scott Reed’s Vikings have a solid offensive line with center Kevin Krasley, guards Ryan Krasley and Joe Scenna, tackles Lou Fioravanti and Chris Stewart and tight end Brendan Murray plus Schmidt at fullback.
The Vikings’ defense is anchored by Stewart in the line and Scenna and junior Bobby Strickland at fullback. The placekicker is veteran Justin Morgan.
Phoenixville’s Sam McQuiston has rushed for 438 yards on 86 tries (5.1 avg.). The Phantom line has Steve Carter at center, Ken Cenci and Brandon Johnston or Torin Killeen at the guards and Kevin Bohl and Marcus Stokes at tackle. Ciaverelli and Greg Porter are the tight ends.

Phoenixville/Methacton Football

Phoenixville Area High School’s football team earned its first victory of the season with an 18-0 shutout of Methacton at Washington Field to celebrate Homecoming last Saturday afternoon.
Senior running back Sam McQuiston rushed for 124 yards and a 1-yard scoring plunge on 19 carries to help lead the Phantoms to their first win after five setbacks. McQuiston, who also plays inside linebacker on defense, had three tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss to boot.
Junior quarterback/cornerback Tom Romano returned from a three-week absence due to an arm injury and completed 4 of 9 passes for 81 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown to senior tight end Vince Ciaverelli. Romano also rushed for 43 yards on seven carries. Ciaverelli made two receptions for 66 yards and also had 11 tackles and one tackle for loss from his linebacker spot on defense.
The Phantoms’ third touchdown came from sophomore defensive back Vinny Nattle on an 87-yard interception return. Nattle also made a fumble recovery against the Warriors.
Phoenixville’s defense registered its first shutout of the season and held Methacton to 0 net yards rushing on 31 attempts. Methacton freshman quarterback Brandon Bossard did throw for 215 yards while completing 17 of 29 aerials, much of the yardage coming on the short shovel pass and run. Mike Fontanella had six receptions for 114 yards.
Phoenixville senior safety Ducky Ryan made 11 tackles with one for loss and had one forced fumble to also help ignite the defense.
The Phantoms rushed for 220 yards on 40 carries and amassed 301 yards of total offense.
Phoenixville visits Perkiomen Valley this coming Friday night, Oct. 16, in Graterford. The Vikings defeated Boyertown, 29-7, last Friday night.

Phoenixville football vs. Boyertown preview

Phoenixville travels to Boyertown for a Friday night PAC-10 football game this week.
Boyertown’s Bears are 1-1 in league play and 2-2 overall while the Phantoms are still seeking their first victory. They are 0-2 in the league and 0-4 overall.
Last week, Boyertown defeated St. Pius X, 23-13, while Phoenixville fell to Owen J. Roberts, 40-21, at Washington Field.
In four games, the Bears have scored 71 points (17.8 avg.) while yielding 65 markers (16.3). The Phantoms have scored 65 points (16.3) while surrendering 111 (27.8).
Boyertown’s leading rusher is Ryan Schwager, who has 40 carries for 287 yards (7.2). Phoenixville’s Sam McQuiston has rushed for 270 yards on 52 tries (5.2). Schwager has also caught six passes for 54 yards (9.0).
Boyertown quarterback Dylan Pasik, a junior transfer from St. Pius X, has completed 19 of 37 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Bears’ junior kicker, Aaron Sassaman, booted three field goals last week, covering 30, 30 and 26 yards. Pasik had a 14-yard scoring run to put the Bears on the board first, and Schwager added a 3-yard TD run.
The Bears rushed for 325 yards and totaled 353 yards of total offense while limiting the Winged Lions to 85 yards rushing and no yards passing.
The Bears feature some huge, talented linemen, led by senior Wilmer Barndt (6-2, 295), junior Tyler Bogert (5-9, 225), junior Jake Sample (6-3, 300), senior Aaron Lepre (6-5, 260) and sophomore Chris Muller (6-6, 300).
Head coach Mark Scisly is in his second season with the Bears.
Pasik is joined in the backfield by Schwager, a 6-0, 190-pound senior; senior Logan Herb (5-11, 200), junior Tom Froehlich (5-11, 190) and junior Chase Stewart (5-7, 145). Froehlich lugged the pigskin 26 times for 184 yards against Pius X. Schwager finished with 81 yards on 15 plays and Pasik 33 yards on six snaps.
“They (Bears) are as big as ever,” said Phoenixville head coach Bill Furlong. “And their backs are as good as any in the league (outside of Owen J. Roberts’ Ryan Brumfield and Pottsgrove’s Terrell Chestnut, Maika Polamalu).”
Phoenixville will again go with sophomore Alec McQuiston at quarterback, and he is expected to double on defense in the secondary as well. Junior Tom Romano is still sidelined with an arm injury. McQuiston scored on a 24-yard touchdown run against the Wildcats.
“Alec had one touchdown pass called back (to Ricky Yenchick) when he was slightly over the line (of scrimmage),” said Furlong. “He was inches away from making a real big play.”
The Phantoms will have senior Kevin Bohl (6-4, 255) back at offensive right tackle after he suffered an injured left ankle in the second half against Owen J. Roberts. Senior Steve Carter (5-10, 260) anchors the offensive line at the center position.
Phoenixville needs some big plays offensively and defensively to snap out of this losing skid. Defensively, that would mean turnovers like the Phantoms had in the early going, particularly against Great Valley in the season opener.
“We need people to step up and stand out,” said Furlong. “Some of our seniors are playing OK, but we need them to play better to make up for some of the adversity.”