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.