Caleb Mead's speed keys big win for Golden Bears

During the track and field season last spring, Upper Moreland's Caleb Mead was slowed by a hamstring injury. Instead of concentrating on the 100- and 200-meter dashes, he was mostly part of a successful 4×100 relay.

Mead looked like he was back at full strength in Friday night's Suburban One League American Conference football showdown against Quakertown.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior produced 154 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only seven carries as the host Golden Bears romped past the Panthers, 35-14, in Willow Grove.

Late in the first quarter, on a left-side sweep, Mead found the sideline and sprinted 70 yards to pay dirt. His 55-yard jaunt in the same direction capped the scoring with 6½ minutes remaining.

"It's a luxury to have a kid like that," Upper Moreland coach Adam Beach said. "If he gets a step on you, he's gone."

In snapping the Panthers' four-game win streak, the Golden Bears, who were idle last weekend, improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

"This win was huge for us," Mead said. "It puts in the driver's seat in the race for the conference title. It's also a big confidence booster."

Mead, whose other score came in the third quarter on a 6-yard burst around right end, and senior halfback Sterlen Barr make up a terrific one-two rushing punch.

Barr rushed 20 times for 82 yards against Quakertown (6-2, 4-1). The 5-9, 175-pounder's 1-yard dive midway through the second gave Upper Moreland a 21-7 advantage.

"I'm kind of a downhill runner," said Mead, who doubles as a free safety. "Sterlen is a shifty runner, is good at making defenders miss."

The Panthers, with an average of 140 points, came into the weekend ranked No. 8 in the power-point rankings for the 16-team PIAA District 1 Class 6A playoffs; the Golden Bears (161.7) held the No. 3 spot in 5A, which likewise has a 16-team field.

Upper Moreland totaled 241 rushing yards on 34 attempts. Brendan Olexa completed 12 of 15 passes for 139 yards and a score. "I thought he made some great decisions," Beach said of the senior and first-year starter.

The Golden Bears' offensive line was made up of center Robert Easley III, guards Brett Broderick and Ryan Caral, tackles Jake Villanueva and Rodney Gowans, and tight ends Bryan Mowery and Brett Brossman.

Quakertown and Upper Moreland visit Plymouth Whitemarsh and Wissahickon, respectively, in American Conference play next Friday night.

Quakertown 7 0 7 0-14

Upper Moreland 7 14 7 7-35

UM: Brett Brossman 15 pass from Brendan Olexa (Stone Panapacker kick)

Q: Christian Patrick 11 run (Gavin Croissette kick)

UM: Caleb Mead 70 run (Panapacker kick)

UM: Sterlen Barr 1 run (Panapacker kick)

Q: Michael Terra 7 run (Croissette kick)

UM: Mead 6 run (Panapacker kick)

UM: Mead 55 run (Panapacker kick)