Rick's Pa. Pigskin Picks: Contrasting styles collide
Perkiomen Valley's aim against Spring-Ford is to gain payback for last season's loss and take a huge step toward winning the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division title.
Perkiomen Valley's aim against Spring-Ford is to gain payback for last season's loss and take a huge step toward winning the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division title.
In the overall sports rivalry between the schools, Perkiomen Valley would also like to gain a measure of revenge for the controversial and heartbreaking loss it suffered on the hardwood in February in the league final.
In the basketball contest, Perkiomen Valley fans stormed Spring-Ford's court with 0.1 seconds left to celebrate an apparent 45-44 victory. The Vikings were assessed a technical foul by the referees, and they ended up bowing, 54-48, in overtime.
The Vikings (6-0 overall, 2-0 conference) and host Rams (5-1, 2-0) will clash on the gridiron at 7 p.m. Friday at Coach McNelly Stadium.
"This has always been a big game for us," said Perkiomen Valley first-year coach Rob Heist, who is in his 13th season with the Vikings and a graduate of the school.
Last season, before the conference added Norristown and Upper Merion and split into two divisions, Spring-Ford captured its first league title since 2011 with a 28-14 win over Perkiomen Valley in Week 10.
A Perkiomen Valley offense that averages 37.7 points is spurred by quarterback Stephen Sturm. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound southpaw has completed 102 of 149 passes for an area-high 1,679 yards and 20 touchdowns.
The Vikings suffered a major blow when they lost multipurpose threat Justin Jaworski to a partially torn medial collateral ligament, suffered Sept. 16. "That's unfortunate, because you want to play them when they're at full strength," Rams coach Chad Brubaker said.
Sturm now mostly spreads the ball among halfback David Williams, fullback Brendan Schimpf, and wideouts Remy Sell and Sean Owens.
The Rams' spread offense is ignited by quarterback T.J. Pergine, running backs Matt Gibson and Selwyn Simpson, handyman Stone Scarcelle, and tight end/wideout Quinn McKenna.
Pergine has hit on 64 of 109 passes for 1,143 yards and 14 touchdowns; Gibson has carried 70 times for 500 yards and five TDs; and Scarcelle, who sees time at quarterback, has 26 receptions for 469 yards and six touchdowns.
Perkiomen Valley's 3-5-3 defense is headed by middle guard Kevin Lovett, tackles Alec Jackson and Kevin DelaCruz, and linebackers Nick Marren and Mario Scotese.
The Rams' 4-3 defense is keyed by end Tanner Romano, linebackers Ryan Yanulevich and Lee Albert, and safeties Dan Cassidy and Adam Sharkey.
Pick Six
1
No. 6 Perkiomen Valley at No. 11 Spring-Ford, Friday, 7 p.m. Vikings linemen Chris Jimenez, Vaughn Stolzer, and Jahir Holmes need to give Sturm time to throw.
Pick: Spring-Ford, 28-21.
2
Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-1, 3-0 Suburban One American) at No. 14 Upper Dublin (5-0, 3-0), Friday, 7 p.m. The Cardinals defense has posted four shutouts and allowed only seven points.
Pick: Upper Dublin, 33-7.
3
No. 21 Ridley (5-1, 4-1 Central) at No. 17 Marple Newtown (6-0, 5-0), Friday, 7 p.m. The Tigers' Anthony Paoletti has thrown for 1,486 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Pick: Ridley, 23-21.
4
West Catholic (3-3) at Germantown Academy (3-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. Key for linebacker Pat McGettigan and company is keeping West's quick playmakers from finding open space.
Pick: GA, 26-24.
5
No. 7 Archbishop Wood (2-2-1, 2-1 Catholic Red) at No. 25 Father Judge (3-3, 1-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. Judge's running game needs to come to life against the surging Vikings.
Pick: Wood, 38-20.
6
Frankford (3-3, 3-0 Public Independence) at Del-Val Charter (4-1, 3-0), Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Frankford has a solid pass-catch duo in Mikey Morell and Esky Lopez.
Pick: Del-Val, 22-16.
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