Week Four Pigskin Preview: Phantoms Host the Wildcats

To say that anything can happen in a Pioneer Athletic Conference game thus far this season is an understatement as the first week of league action gave us thrills, chills, upsets, dominating performances and two stunning “never say comebacks.”

Hopefully everybody in attendance at Methacton last Saturday, who were treated to what will no doubt be one of the top ten PAC-10 games of the year when the Phantoms refused to allow a late touchdown by the Warriors to derail the victory express, have caught their collective breath as another Friday is right around the corner.

As Phoenixville (1-0 leagues, 3-0 overall) takes the Washington Field turf on Friday they will be squaring off with an Owen J. Roberts squad that, after taking the opening possession the length of the field for a touchdown and 6-0 lead, were thoroughly dominated by a very fired-up Perkiomen Valley squad, which forced three turnovers and blocked a punt en route to a 31-12 romp over the Wildcats at home.

The great news for the Phantoms is the combination of an offensive line that has been blowing holes open wide enough for senior Vinny Nattle (49 carries, 363 yards) and junior Ryan Yenchick (18 carries, 183 yards) to stroll through, racking up a combined average of almost nine yards per carry, and an Owen J. Roberts defensive line that gave up three runs of more than 30 yards and more than 220 yards rushing as a unit last week. It should prove to be very much in the purple and black’s favor.

The Wildcats (0-1 league, 1-2 overall) were able to move the ball last week a bit on the Vikings through the air, as Blake Bradshaw (20-39, 286 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT) was able to find Jay Thomas and junior Tyler Rogers on touchdown hook ups from long range (40, 30 yards respectively), but did not put together a sustained drive after the opener.

With four players over 100 yards in rushing already this season, the Phantoms have presented match-up problems for defensive coordinators as they can not key in on one play or player, allowing Alec McQuiston, who had his best game of the season last week when the Phantoms needed him the most, (20-36, 214 yards, TD, 3INT) to spread the field when needed finding his favorite target thus far, Yenchick (255 yards combined offense, 4 TDS), for big gains.

Dylan Frierson (86 carries, 337 yards for a modest 3.9 average) will never be confused for Ryan Brumfield, but Frierson does possess break-out speed if he gets into the open and it will be up to Tom White, Jesse Gervasi and Ryan Pannella (2 catches, 55 yards) to contain and keep him between the tackles.

The Phantoms defense has been forcing an average of 3.5 turnovers per game while allowing 19 points per game, and 133 yards rushing and passing per game in their best start in recent memory.

“This was a great win for us,” said Nattle as the celebration commenced following the 32-28 win over Methacton. “We will get back to work this week tightening things up and get read for Owen J. [Roberts]. We need to focus on stopping the big play, which we gave up a few today. If we take care of those lapses we should have a great game next Friday at home.”

Kick off is 7 p.m. Friday at Washington Field.

The Numbers Game

Last week’s projection results league-wide (3-2) season total league-wide (7-2)

Phoenixville projection record (3-0)

This week's Projection- Phantoms 36  Wildcats 26

Other league action picks-winners

Methacton over Pope John Paul II

Spring-Ford over Upper Perkiomen

Perkiomen Valley over Pottstown

Boyertown over Pottsgrove