Player of the Year: Pennsbury's Snorweah ran with authority

Pennsbury, with its vaunted ground-and-pound offensive attack, has had some top-notch rushers over the years.

Kervin Michaud, Jackson Fagan, and Brandon Pepper are a few of the ballcarriers who have stood out since Galen Snyder took over the program in 2002.

This season, Charles Snorweah, with his quickness and strength, set a new standard while sparking the Falcons to a 13-2 record and their first PIAA District 1 Class AAAA title since 2006.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior dynamo, a threat to go the distance on every touch, carried 309 times for a single-season school record of 2,774 yards and 38 touchdowns.

"He's a tough, hard-nosed player and has good vision," Snyder said. "But it's his breakaway speed that takes him to another level."

For his efforts in helping Pennsbury advance to within two wins of its first state crown, Snorweah, who also struck fear in opponents as a kick returner, is The Inquirer's Southeastern Pennsylvania football player of the year.

The highlight of Snorweah's stellar campaign came in the first round of the district playoffs. He carried 29 times for a career-high 432 yards in lifting the second-seeded Falcons to a wild 63-55 victory over No. 15 Downingtown West.

"It all started with the blocking," Snorweah said afterward. "Our middle linebacker, Luke Snyder, came in and did a great job of blocking for me on every single play."

Down the stretch, because it had an injury-depleted backfield, Pennsbury switched from its usual wing-T scheme to an I formation. Snorweah, with Luke Snyder in front of him, immediately thrived.

The Rutgers recruit rushed for 1,295 yards and 15 TDs in five playoff contests. In a district semifinal, he ran for nearly 300 yards and four TDs as the Falcons turned back sixth-seeded Upper Dublin, 25-14.

"He has the right blend of speed and power," Upper Dublin coach Bret Stover said. "He can run away from you or square up and run over you for tough yards."

In the district final against top-seeded Coatesville, Snorweah scored from 75 yards away on the team's first play from scrimmage. He finished with 204 yards on 33 attempts in a 21-14 triumph at chilly Souderton.

A four-year contributor on the gridiron, the 18-year-old from Levittown also excels in track and field. He holds the school record in the 400-meter dash (48.2 seconds) and long jump (22 feet, 9 inches).

Over the last two seasons, Snorweah, who also filled in at defensive back, carried 454 times for 4,250 yards and 60 TDs.