Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Quakertown's Vera glad he's back on gridiron

Alec Vera is especially happy about the decision he made two years ago to give football a second shot. That's because the senior quarterback and Quakertown are 4-0, playing on a sparkling new turf field, and contending for the Suburban One League Continental Conference title.

Quakertown quarterback Alec Vera. (Photo credit: Jen Banas)
Quakertown quarterback Alec Vera. (Photo credit: Jen Banas)Read more

Alec Vera is especially happy about the decision he made two years ago to give football a second shot.

That's because the senior quarterback and Quakertown are 4-0, playing on a sparkling new turf field, and contending for the Suburban One League Continental Conference title.

"We're definitely excited about the way things have gone so far, but we know we have to stay grounded," Vera said. "We weren't really tested in our first three games."

As a sophomore, Vera chose to focus on playing baseball. But after then-junior quarterback Pat SanAngelo went down early with a collarbone injury, Vera had a change of heart. And Panthers coach George Banas offered an open tryout.

"I knew [assistant coach] Jeff Wolfinger from youth football, so I contacted him first," Vera said. "I missed being out there on Friday nights and thought I could help."

Vera shared time with SanAngelo down the stretch in 2012, and took over as the full-time starter last season. In directing Quakertown to a 7-5 record, he threw for 971 yards and eight touchdowns.

Entering Saturday's conference matchup at Norristown, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound captain has completed 23 of 41 passes for 418 yards and four TDs. He has carried the ball 29 times for 125 yards and the same number of scores.

"He's very balanced," Banas said. "He can run, and then he comes up with those huge pass plays when you need them."

The new turf at Quakertown's Alumni Field was christened in last week's 21-14 conference-opening triumph over William Tennent.

"It's different not playing in so much dirt and mud," Vera said with a laugh.

Vera is supported in a spread scheme by running backs Rob Burns (59 carries for 295 yards and five TDs) and Nick Bonomo. Receivers Kyle Baskin and Aaron Besch have combined for 16 catches totaling 267 yards.

Quakertown's experienced offensive line is headed by guards Micah Jones (6-2, 215) and Gavin Caroff (5-8, 205) and tackles Brett Graver (6-0, 220) and Dan Devine (6-1, 230).

A 4-4 defense that has yielded 8.5 points per game is anchored by inside linebacker Hunter Nice. The 6-2, 230-pounder, who has 32 tackles, including 21 solos, has drawn interest from Temple, Towson, and Villanova.

Also in the mix on defense are Jones, an end who notched 41/2 sacks in a 40-13 nonleague win at Hatboro-Horsham; outside linebacker Luke Wood; inside linebacker Noah Wood; and cornerback Tyler Kishbaugh.

Vera, who scored on runs of 4 and 46 yards vs. Tennent, has drawn interest from Delaware Valley, Moravian, Shippensburg, and West Chester.

Partnership. West Catholic and Drexel celebrated the official opening of Maguire Field, part of Drexel's Vidas Athletic Complex at 4300 Powelton Ave., on Wednesday afternoon.

The Burrs began practicing at the turf field, which was made possible by a $1.5 million gift from the Maguire Foundation, last month. They previously used a grass field at 48th and Woodland Playground.

"It's been great for us, really convenient," West coach Brian Fluck said.

Sidelined. West Catholic senior quarterback Antwain McCollum suffered a fractured fibula last Friday in a 42-12 nonleague loss to Archbishop Wood. He is expected to be out for six weeks.

Josh Holsopple, a 6-0 junior who was playing wide receiver, has replaced McCollum, a 3,349-yard career passer.

Recognized. Archbishop Wood senior lineman Ryan Bates was presented Wednesday with his honorary game jersey for the 2015 Under Armour All-American Game, which will be played in January in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Wood staff also gave John Shulby, a Vikings ball boy with Down syndrome, a jersey for his scheduled participation in the game for a second time.