Phoenixville, Upper Perk have identical record going into Friday's game

Phoenixville and Upper Perkiomen will carry identical records into Friday night’s Pioneer Athletic Conference football showdown in Red Hill. Both ballclubs have 2-3 records in the PAC-10 and are 3-4 overall.
Also, both sides are currently tied for seventh place in the District 1 Class AAA football standings. The Phantoms and Indians each have 390 points for a 55.7 average. Eight teams qualify for the district playoffs in Class AAA so both sides are still in the chase.
Upper Moreland (6-1) leads the way with 850 markers, followed by Strath Haven (6-1, 840), Academy Park (6-1, 740), Pottsgrove (5-2, 680), Springfield Delco (5-2, 610) and Bishop Shanahan (4-3, 550).
Also in the running for the final playoff spots are Octorara (3-3, 300), Interboro (3-4, 330) and Radnor (3-4, 320).
Phoenixville is coming off a 21-8 loss to Perkiomen Valley at Washington Field on Senior Night while Upper Perkiomen beat Methacton, 42-35, in Red Hill last Thursday evening. The previous week the Indians dropped a 55-20 decision to Owen J. Roberts on the Tribe’s field.
Upper Perkiomen will be celebrating its Homecoming weekend with the game against the Phantoms. Upper Perkiomen coach Keith Leamer is in his seventh season in charge of the Tribe while Phoenixville’s Bill Furlong has spent eight years on the sidelines with the Phantoms.
Upper Perkiomen is led by junior wide receiver Ronnie Gillespie (5-10, 165), who has scored 10 touchdowns for 60 points. Gillespie ranks second in the area in receiving with 32 catches for 712 yards (22.3-yard average).
“Gillespie is the best receiver we have faced,” said Furlong.
The quarterback is senior Casey Perlstein (6-1, 195), who has scored 50 points on eight TDs and two point afters. Perlstein has also rushed for 498 yards on 97 attemptys (5.1 avg.). Perlstein has completed 70 of 144 aerials (48.6 percent) for 1,137 yards with 12 TDs and six interceptions. Perlstein and Phoenixville’s Tom Romano were both named to the second team all-league as quarterbacks one year ago.
Both players will be a challenge to Phoenixville’s defensive line of Ernie Knight, Dennis Kelly, Marcus Stokes and Torin Killeen plus Sam Labik, Kajhnel Norwood and Brendon Stone as well as the secondary with Alec McQuiston, Joe Hill, Marcus Howell and Jerome Nicholson. The linebackers are Ryan Pannella, Travis Andrews, Ryan Yenchick and Nick Rutkowski.
The Phantoms must also contend with junior fullback John Olson (6-1, 195), who is the team’s leading rusher with 541 yards on 115 plays (4.7 avg.).
Phoenixville has scored 136 points (19.4) while allowing 161 counters (23.0). Upper Perkiomen has scored 208 points (29.7) while yielding 226 points (32.3). Andrews is Phoenixville’s top rusher with 439 yards on 94 carries (4.7) with two touchdowns.
“I hope we play at an even keel because they are emotional and it is their Homecoming,” said Furlong.
The Indians are led in their offensive line by senior tackle Mike Paul (6-4, 220), also a second-team all-league choice last season. Paul doubles as a defensive lineman. Senior Jake Nyce (5-11, 215) is a three-year starter at the center position.
Junior linebacker Dalton Fleming (6-1, 195) is following in the footsteps of his older brothers, Chase and Cody, who starred for the Indians before moving on to Shippensburg University.