Week 5 Football Preview: Unbeaten OJR, Phoenixville face tough tests in league openers
With league play lasting only six weeks, each weekend in the PAC features crucial matchups for league championship and district playoff race implications.
But as the league's dozen teams start divisional play on Friday night, a pair of undefeated squads put their records on the line against traditional favorites.
(All game times at 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise noted)
Perkiomen Valley (2-2) at Owen J. Roberts (4-0)
The Wildcats have been nothing short of dominant in their opening quartet of victories, with each win coming by at least 17 points. Sophomore running back Mekhi Graham (177 yards, two rush TDs vs. Avon Grove last week) gets most of the attention from opposing defenses, but quarterback Corey Schock gained plenty of valuable experience in the non-league schedule and continues to build his timing with sophomore wide receiver Matt Gregory, the recent recipient of a Penn State offer.
And yet the offense may not be the team's primary strength with a defense allowing only 10 points per contest. Linebackers Lorenzo Satiro and Brody Mazzerle lead the unit, while Gus Smith's blocking keys an improving offensive line for the hosts.
"We're efficient on offense, and we have the ability to score quickly," said OJR head coach Rich Kolka. "But against a fundamentally sound team like PV, we're going to need to avoid big mistakes and play our game."
The Vikings are coming off a statement victory over Coatesville, a 14-7 slugfest in which a fast start gave way to an uneven but gritty finish as PV's improving defense turned away the explosive Red Raiders' repeated attempts to equalize.
Richie Strano's presence in the middle of the PV defense helps stabilize the unit, while Andrew Keenan is emerging as a leader for the offensive line making way for running back Colin Sturges (5.3 yards per carry, 3 TDs) and a passing game led by QB Patrick MacDonald and WRs Colin Hollingsworth and Jon Boyd.
PV head coach Rob Heist is familiar with the Wildcats' attack and stressed the importance of containing the sensational sophomore duo of Graham and Gregory.
"They have two dynamic playmakers on offense, plus a physical offensive line," Heist said. "Schock is protecting the ball nicely and distributing well. We will need to match their intensity, as I'm sure Coach Kolka will have his team ready for us."
Phoenixville (3-0) at Pope John Paul II (3-1), 1 p.m. Saturday
Head coach Anthony Ciarlello has gone step-by-step in creating the resurgence of the Phoenixville program – first a winning season, followed by a playoff berth and last year a playoff victory.
What's next? A Frontier Division title, he hopes, and that starts with the ability to knock off reigning PAC champion Pope John Paul II, a game the Phantoms led by two touchdowns in 2023 before folding late.
"It's been a spell since we've won this game," Ciarlello admitted.
Doing so requires using the dynamic rushing of senior Deacon Williams, who's over 500 rushing yards in only three games this season while also mixing in the passing attack led by QB Talon Romance and top receiver Trey Lear (19 yards per catch, two TDs). The Phantoms won their first two contests decisively then survived a 9-0 slugfest with Kennett last week, highlighted by a Myles Tenbroeck pick-six.
"As a team, we're still finding areas to improve," said Ciarlello. "That's what we'll need this week – a true team effort."
The Golden Panthers represent a step up in class offensively, with senior and Villanova commit Braden Reed leading the PAC in every major receiving category (39 catches, 493 yards, four TDs) while Jacob Lucci and Bradon DeAngelo also figure in as QB Luke Terlesky's (66 percent completions, 801 yards, 7 TDs/2 INTs) main weapons.
Dylan Skarbek, Anthony Borzillo and Bradey Bass are making big contributions on both sides of the ball for PJP.
"We will have our hands full," predicted PJP head coach Scott Reed. "They're 3-0, they've dominated their opponents with their defense, and they're the most balanced offensive team we have seen so far. Games like this come down to taking care of the little things like great fundamentals, taking care of the football and avoiding penalties."
Pottsgrove (3-1) at Upper Perkiomen (3-1)
The Frontier Division race could see some immediate clarity when combining the Phoenixville/PJP tilt with this matchup of 3-1 teams.
For the host Tribe, they're entering the contest off of a defeat for the first time in 2024.
"We did not play to our potential for three quarters last Friday night," Upper Perk head coach Dan Heinrichs said of the team's 27-21 loss to Unionville. "For the first time all year we did not control the clock and the ball the way we wanted to. We need to learn as a team that if we play the way we are capable, there is no Friday night out of reach."
More weapons emerge each week, as Brody Weiss joins Zach Adam and Zach Schwartz in keeping UP ahead of the chains in the running game, while Logan O'Donnell and Aiden Void found time to make plays in the passing game thanks to an offensive line led by Dylan Marshall.
For Pottsgrove, they'll look to sustain the momentum from a thrilling 13-12 win at West Chester East. Mikhi Dargan went for over 100 yards rushing, while a team-wide defensive effort has been instrumental in the Falcons' early success.
"It is always challenging to face back-to-back away games against tough opponents," said Pottsgrove head coach Bill Hawthorne. "Upper Perk is well-coached and fundamentally-sound in all three game phases."
Norristown (3-1) at Spring-Ford (1-3)
Trent Yoder figures to see his first start under center in place of the out-for-the-season Matt Zollers as Spring-Ford looks to start anew after a tumultuous non-league slate. Head coach Chad Brubaker saw a mixture of takeaways from last week's 21-12 loss to Downingtown West, the top team in District 1-6A.
"Our defense played well," said Brubaker. "We put ourselves into scoring position offensively but didn't finish. We also had some special teams blunders we need to clean up."
Yoder's transition into the starting role could be eased by the return of explosive senior WR Jordan Marsilio, who missed two games but returned last week with a two-TD, 100-plus yard outing.
Norristown looks to rebound after a loss at WC Rustin, the team's first of the 2024 season.
Upper Merion (0-4) at Pottstown (1-3)
The Vikings are still looking to break through with their first win after a tough start to the season in non-league play, having been shutout each of the last two weeks. Their first opportunity comes against a young Pottstown team still learning to make the big plays.
The Trojans fought back from a second-half deficit at Oxford last week only to fall just short, 28-26.
Boyertown (0-4) at Methacton (1-3)
It'll be a similar story at Methacton, where the Bears of Boyertown attempt to gain a breakthrough win in their league opener against a Methacton squad that got its first win last week against Great Valley, a 35-12 confidence-builder.
Tilman Henley has become the big-play threat to complement the ground-and-pound approach for Boyertown, while Methacton ran for almost 250 yards last week, led by senior QB Kolby Howarth and RB Roman Brown, who had a 24-yard touchdown run. The Warriors' defense also forced three turnovers.
Methacton coach Eric Ranieri says the Warriors continue to focus on getting better at the "alignment and assignment" side of football, which will be particularly important against a hungry, run-oriented Boyertown squad.
