Phoenixville Area School District | Articles | Game Preview/Recap

COURTESY OF BARRY SANKEY, THE PHOENIX

http://papreplive.com/2017/02/02/phoenixville-tops-upper-merion-in-ot-keeps-hopes-of-pac-playoff-berth/ 

PHOENIXVILLE >> The seven Phoenixville senior boys basketball players wanted to put on an impressive show in their regular season finale Thursday night at home against Upper Merion.

And the Phantoms, who are still clinging to hopes for the fifth and final Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Five playoff seed, rallied from an 11-point deficit after three quarters to stage a 63-59 overtime victory against the Vikings in a Frontier Division matchup.

The contest was deadlocked at 52-all at the end of regulation time. Upper Merion (7-2 PAC Frontier, 8-4 PAC overall), the first-place squad in the division, held a 45-34 lead against Phoenixville after three quarters. But the Phantoms (7-3, 8-5) utilized an 18-7 surge in the fourth quarter to lock it up at 52.

Spurred by a career-high 30 points from Avery Close and 19 more by Shyheim Abernathy, Phoenixville entertained the large, vocal home crowd with a fine performance on its Senior Night.

Close, who managed just one field goal in the first half, caught fire in the second half to produce 28 additional points. He ended the night with five 3-pointers, shot 7-for-10 at the free throw line and also contributed four blocked shots and three assists on his line.

The 6-6 senior discussed his turnaround afterward.

“I had a rough first half,” said Close, who finished with his seventh double-double in the last nine games. “But I got going the rest of the way. I got a couple layups to build my confidence. Then once I hit the first three off the glass, I kept letting it fly.”

Phoenixville still needs a loss by Liberty Division foe Norristown against Boyertown Friday night in order to qualify for the Final Five playoffs which get underway next week.

Abernathy, who scored all six of Phoenixville’s points during the first quarter, wound up with two 3-pointers and also retrieved 10 rebounds for another double-double. Zion Small added nine points, including a pair of second-period 3-pointers and a foul shot in the fourth.

The Phantoms’ pressure zone defense throughout the night forced numerous Upper Merion turnovers that Phoenixville capitalized on at the opposite end of the floor. Nasir Green, Phil Meszaros, Hunter Herschell and Dalton Jowder were instrumental in that defensive cause.

“We talked before the game about this being an emotional night,” said Phoenixville coach Eric Burnett. “It is a collection of memories these seniors have as a group from when they were young kids. They can add this to their memory box. They stuck together when we were down nine and never gave up.”

Phoenixville trailed 47-39 with 6:21 left in the fourth quarter before clicking on all cylinders at both ends of the court. Upper Merion still led 52-46 with 4:12 remaining, but the Phantoms’ defense shut the Vikings out the rest of the way in regulation time.

Abernathy hit a free throw that pulled the Phantoms within a point at 52-51 with 1:20 left, and Small grabbed a key rebound and sank a subsequent foul shot to knot the game at 52-all with 1:16 showing. Meszaros then made a pivotal steal to give Phoenixville possession with 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Phantoms ran out the clock and missed a last-second jumper, which led to the four-minute overtime session.

“We knew coming into the season, Avery was going to have a big year,” said Burnett. “He is such a hard worker and he took on the role. We got energy off the bench in our last game.

“Shy has played great ball the last several games. He is getting his teammates involved. You can really see the difference, and he is another good flow of the game. He has provided leadership and intensity.”

Phoenixville finished 13-0 during the regular season a year ago, but graduated 1,000-point scorer and leader Christian Kelly (Kutztown University) and some other key seniors. Yet the Phantoms have responded with another fine campaign that is still not over. Even if they don’t make the Final Five, Phoenixville will still play in the District 1 Class 5A tournament that gets underway Feb. 22.

Upper Merion was led by Ethan Miller and Chris Carita with 21 points apiece. Carita also nailed five 3-pointers.

Phoenixville’s senior players include Close, Abernathy, Green, Herschel, Meszaros, Jowder and Colin Hook.

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)

Courtesy of Tom Nash, Pottstown Mercury

http://papreplive.com/2017/01/17/46492/

PHOENIXVILLE >> Neither one of them will deny it.

There’s certainly a bit of an inter-squad rivalry going on between Perkiomen Valley teammates Ethan Hinz and Ryan Keenan.

“We’ve got a good thing going,” said the sophomore Keenan of his competitive edge with freshman teammate Hinz. “It’s definitely competitive, but it’s also friendly. We go back and forth in practice and we’re always racing neck-and-neck.”

That competitiveness is paying off for the Vikings this season, their latest result a 107-63 win over Phoenixville on Tuesday afternoon at the Phoenixville YMCA. On the girls side, the Phantoms claimed a 112-58 win — their first over Perkiomen Valley in program history.

Keenan and Hinz put their rivalry on grand display during the 400-meter freestyle, where Keenan swam a 4:24.36, just pulling away from Hinz (4:27.62) during the closing stretch of the race. Together, the pairing bettered the field by over 23 seconds — the next-best finisher Phoenixville’s Kyler Lewis at 4:50.89.

“I don’t like to be beat,” Hinz said sternly before cracking a smile. “I was trying to beat him the whole time, but I got pretty tired late and he was able to grab (the win). It definitely gives me something to set my sights on.”

Together, the pairing combined for three individual firsts and were also part of three first-place relays on the meet as the PV boys improved to 4-1 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference and 5-1 overall. Hinz swam the first leg of PV’s 400 free relay with Keenan right on his toes as the pairing gave teammates Logan Newman and Michael Yannantuono plenty of cushion to claim it at 3:59.72.

Hinz posted the top time in the 200 individual medley (2:24.95) and also swam the breaststroke of the Phantoms’ 200 medley relay (1:59.53). Keenan took top honors in the 200 free (2:04.72) and also swam the second leg of the 200 free relay, which finished up at 1:45.53.

Although they both turned in successful days for the Vikings, don’t think for a second that either will take their foot off the pedal any time soon.

“We’ve got two, three more meets coming in the next week or so,” said Hinz, “so I’m thinking I can definitely get him by the end of the week.”

The competition between Hinz and Keenan is just a small serving sample of what head coach Brian Zeigler is hoping will begin to rub off on the rest of his Vikings team.

“Veterans are leading the way, showing the tradition of Perk Valley,” he said, “and our underclassmen are starting to pick up on it. That’s made it a very exciting season for us so far.”

Matthew Marsh was also a four-race winner Tuesday, taking top individual honors in the 50 free (25.84) and 100 back (1:07.34) and mixing in relay wins with the 200 medley and 200 free contingents.

Dominic Sposato posted the lone Phoenixville (3-2 PAC; 4-3 overall) win with a 1:14.62 in the 100 ******.

“We competed,” said Phoenixville head coach Dan Weinstein. “Some of our relays kept it close and our boys swam well. Not much more that we can ask for — Perk Valley is a strong team.”

* * *

Weinstein was noticeably much more upbeat in talking about the girls result — their first win over Perk Valley just a season after they fell just short (96-80) in last year’s meet.

“We had last year’s meet on our mind, definitely,” said Weinstein. “We know they lost a lot to graduation and they’re young, but I’d be lying if I said we didn’t have this one circled on the calendar.

“You get up for Perk Valley — they’re always a heavy in the league. So it’s really nice to come away with this one.”

The Phantoms (5-0 PAC, 6-1 overall) ran the table Tuesday, winning all but two events en route to the win over Perk Valley (2-3, 2-4).

Seniors Maddie Cooke and Emily Fabius each posted two top individual times and both swam as part of the 200 medley relay (2:07.02) and the 200 free relay (1:57.17).

Cooke, a Penn State University commit, took individual firsts in the 50 free (27.67) and the 100 ****** (1:17.16). Fabius took individual honors in the 200 IM (2:39.60) and the 100 fly (1:10.75) while Liz Hussin was atop the charts in the 400 free (5:08.67) and the 100 back (1:15.38).

Although it’s taken them some time, Zeigler says the PV girls have started to find out who’s who among the Vikings.

“Really during the winter break, we came together as a group and found our identity,” he said. “Now it’s just a matter of building on it and building for the future.”

‘Cat’s Pajamas

Next week’s girls matchup between Phoenixville and Owen J. Roberts — PAC champions two of the past three seasons — surely won’t disappoint.

Weinstein hopes the meet will bring about an atmosphere that his girls will thrive under.

“When you go to Owen J. and look around in their natatorium, it’s full of banners — a ton of All-Americans and school records,” he said. “So just to even consider that we’re competing with them for a championship, it’s something special.”

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)

WILDWOOD, NJ (December 31, 2016) – Phoenixville Area High School’s Boys Basketball team defeated McKee/State Island Tech (NY) 75-61 in the championship game of the Jack Buchanan Bracket at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic in Wildwood, NJ.  PAHS improved to 7-2 on the season, while McKee/Staten Island Tech fell to 11-5.

Senior Shyheim Abernathy had the hot hand for the Phantoms, leading all scorers with 30 points (13-18 FG, 2-4 3FG).  Abernathy’s 13 field goals are tied for the sixth most in Boardwalk Classic history.

Avery Close had 22 points (9-14 FG), while Phil Meszaros (8 points), Colton Brown (6 points), Hunter Herschell (5 points), and Nasir Green (4 points) rounded out the scoring for Phoenixville.

Phoenixville advanced to the championship game after defeating Ocean City High School (NJ) 60-57 in the opening round of the tournament on Friday.  Abernathy (19 points) and Close (15 points) led the Phantoms in scoring.  Ocean City jumped to a 7-0 lead to start the game, but the Phantoms quickly bounced back and led by as many as eight points in the second quarter.  Luciano Lubrano scored a game-high 26 points for Ocean City.

The Boardwalk Basketball Classic is a six day tournament held to raise college scholarship money for graduating seniors for the two high schools that host the tournament, Wildwood and Wildwood Catholic. The Boardwalk Basketball Classic is the largest co-ed high school basketball tournament in the country. Since its inception in 1998, the Boardwalk Basketball Classic has raised over $295,000 in scholarship money.

For more information on the Boardwalk Basketball Classic, please visit www.bbclassic.com.

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)

http://papreplive.com/2016/12/14/phoenixville-erases-late-22-point-deficit-defeats-spring-ford-70-69/

ROYERSFORD >> Each week represents a dedication toward a new team trait.

It’s a practice Phoenixville’s Eric Burnett devised — and after Wednesday night — it’s one that seems to be working.

Avery Close finished with a game-high 25 points while Shyheim Abernathy added another 17 as the Phantoms exercised their “theme of the week” in a stunning 70-69 come-from-behind victory over Spring-Ford in a non-league showing.

The theme this week, you ask? Resilience.

“We’ve been doing something new this year, which is a theme of the week,” Phoenixville head coach Eric Burnett said. “The first week was attention to details, followed by discipline. This week it happened to be resilience. We know that our schedule was tough out of the gate with three games in a row, Friday, Saturday and Monday with no practice. Coming out of that 1-2 and then coming into an emotional game against Spring-Ford, we knew this had to be a resilient week.”

It didn’t take much for the Phantoms to prove they’ve been listening to their coach’s words. Led by the senior duo in Abernathy and Close, Phoenixville chipped away at a 22-point deficit in the third quarter, ultimately taking the lead midway through the fourth via a 24-0 run before holding on in the final minutes to leave the Rams’ faithful stunned.

“We won’t forget this one,” Abernathy said.

“Nope, not a chance,” Close added. “I’m proud of my team for never giving up and the way we battled even though we were down is something that should carry us the rest of the season.”

Wednesday’s contest never seemed in doubt after the depth of Spring-Ford’s lineup shined through in the second quarter, reserves Noah Baker and Robert Bobeck contributing nine and eight points, respectively as the Rams outscored the Phantoms 23-7 to take a 41-26 lead at the half before extending it to 22 early in the third via solid play from Chucky Drummond (18 points) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (16 points) and a stifling defense that limited the Phantoms’ effectiveness on the perimeter while forcing contested shots in the low post.

From there, however, the Phantoms began to chip away … bit by bit.

Trailing by 16 entering the fourth, the Phantoms put on a defensive display, forcing the Rams into eight turnovers in the first four minutes while Close and Abernathy took over. Close, who scored 14 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, started the frame off with a putback and the foul before nailing a turnaround jumper to cut the deficit to 55-44. Abernathy’s bucket followed by Nasir Green’s steal and finish in transition then cut the deficit to seven before Close added two more via free throws and Abernathy finished off an old-school 3-point play to make it 55-52. Close then tied it following another Ram turnover and then gave the Phantoms’ their first lead since early in the opening quarter with two free throws to make it 57-55.

With the score 59-55, Baker finally snapped the Phantoms’ 24-0 run, but the Rams couldn’t get a stop when they needed it. Phil Meszaros’ bucket and foul gave Phoenixville a 63-58 lead with 56.1 left before free throws from Close and Abernathy sealed the deal.

“We were just trying to slow the game down, play our game,” Abernathy said. “They got us out of it but at the half, we regrouped, came back out and fired on all cylinders.”

“We talk about chipping away at deficits,” Burnett said. “We wanted to get the lead down to seven or nine points going into the fourth quarter. Once we saw that happened, the next thing we know it was five, then we’re hitting foul shots and the momentum was swinging in our favor.

“We’re still trying to find a way to tie it all together. The last couple of games we started really well, but we need to learn how to carry that throughout the game and not getting down when a team is going back-and-forth with us.”

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)

COURTESY OF BARRY SANKEY, POTTSTOWN MERCURY

http://papreplive.com/2016/10/14/pottsgrove-clinches-pac-frontier-division-with-win-over-phoenixville/

LOWER POTTSGROVE >> Trailing by 10 points at the half, Pottsgrove turned up their level of play in the second half in what quickly became a shootout with visiting Phoenixville on Friday night.

Pottsgrove, which celebrated its Senior Recognition Night, came away with a 56-37 victory, outscoring the Phantoms 42-13 during the second half at Rick Pennypacker Field. The Falcons clinched the Pioneer Athletic Conference Frontier Division title for the Falcons (4-0 PAC, 6-2 overall).

“You don’t see many games like that on this field,” said Pottsgrove coach Rick Pennypacker. “It was a great game. There were a lot of weapons out there. Give Phoenixville credit. They played well. The first half we were very, very bad. It was probably the worst half of football we’ve played in 20 years with mistakes, fumbles and penalties.”

The contest also featured some outstanding individual performances by some of the top athletes in the league. Pottsgrove junior Rahsul Faison piled up 242 yards rushing on 31 carries, which included four touchdowns. Three of them came during the second half. Faison surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau for the season by gaining 109 yards in the first half alone, which included a 55-yard touchdown scamper on his first attempt of the evening.

Pottsgrove also got some got good gains from Jason Colbert, Avery Grant and quarterback Ryan Finn in a diverse showing. Kobey Baldwin had a couple of long kick returns that helped spark the Falcons down the stretch.

Phoenixville (1-3, 3-5) countered with its own star running back. Senior Matt Garcia chalked up 201 yards rushing on 26 tries, including a pair of long scoring runs that covered 77 yards on the first play from scrimmage to start the game and then a 61-yard burst during the second half.

Nasir Green grabbed five passes from quarterback Troy Rossman for 94 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Green also returned an interception 50 yards for a first-quarter touchdown.

“It was an unbelievable game,” raved Phoenixville’s third-year coach Evan Breisblatt. “You see how much this program has grown in the last two years. We gave Pottsgrove all they could handle. The second half they played well, but I am so proud of my kids.”

Finn flipped touchdown passes to Bailey Delp of 11 yards in the first quarter and then 38 yards to Adam Girafalco in the fourth quarter.

Phoenixville safety Bob Strunk scored on a 50-yard return of a fumble recovery that was created by Garcia.

Phoenixville junior placekicker Nick Sinapius contributed a 22-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half to give the Phantoms their 24-14 lead at the break. The first period ended with a 14-14 deadlock.

Breisblatt was especially pleased to see Phoenixville play so well in a road game against a team like Pottsgrove after the Falcons dismantled the Phantoms the past two years in Phoenixville.

Pennypacker viewed it as mistakes by his team that resulted in points by Phoenixville..

NOTES >> Pottsgrove honored 10 senior football players, eight senior cheerleaders and 11 senior band members in pre-game ceremonies. … It was also Pink Out Night at Pottsgrove Stadium’s Rick Pennypacker Field. … The Falcons got some key defensive plays from Desmond Austin, Nehemiah Collins, Tyler Smith, Michael Dickey and Ryan Bodolus. … Dickey and Smith posted second-half sacks.

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)

COURTESY OF BARRY SANKEY, POTTSTOWN MERCURY

http://papreplive.com/2016/10/13/phoenixville-boys-cross-country-forces-three-way-tie-for-first-in-frontier-division/

Phoenixville 17, Upper Merion 53 >> The Phantoms created a three-way tie for first place in the PAC’s Frontier Division as they outran the Vikings, joining Pope John Paul II and Pottsgrove in the top spot.

Christian Schaaf headed a 1-2-3 finish by Phoenixville (4-1) in the regular-season finale, covering his home course in 17:55. Aaron Hin (18:13) and Connor Wilchusky (18-18) followed, with UM’s Abhiram Vagnola placing fourth in 18:24 as his team’s highest finisher.

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)

COURTESY OF AUSTIN HERTZOG, POTTSTOWN MERCURY

http://papreplive.com/2016/10/14/pottsgrove-denies-phoenixville-spot-in-pac-playoffs/

PHOENIXVILLE >> The Pottsgrove boys soccer team wasn’t out to be a spoiler.

It just happened to be one Friday.

With Phoenixville facing a must-win situation to qualify for the final spot in the Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Four against the Frontier Division-leading Falcons, a loose and confident Pottsgrove team hit for four goals in the first 33 minutes en route to a 4-1 victory that denied the Phantoms at Washington Field.

“We weren’t here to knock anyone out; it’s only about making sure we win,” midfielder Tyler Rolando said. “We came in thinking we have playoffs coming up so we wanted to get in form now and make sure we keep it through playoffs. So we wanted to make sure we started off strong now and carry it through.”

Pottsgrove, which went 10-0 in the Frontier and 11-1-1 in the PAC, earned the No. 2 seed for next Tuesday’s PAC Final Four at Owen J. Roberts. It will face No. 3 seed OJR at 7 p.m. on Wildcat North. The other semifinal will feature No. 4 Boyertown (6-4, 9-4) – the beneficiary of Friday’s result which left Phoenixville at 7-2-1, 8-4-1 – and Liberty champion Spring-Ford (9-1, 11-1-1) at 7 p.m. in the stadium.

With back-to-back games Thursday and Friday against Upper Merion (2-2 draw) and Pottsgrove, it would have been understandable for Phoenixville to be feeling the pressure.

“I think there was a healthy pressure and stress. It’s a big game and they knew it’s a big game,” Phoenixville coach Mike Cesarski said. “I don’t think it was a stretch to say that it was a tight game the first time we played Pottsgrove (2-0 Falcons). For whatever reason we just were not ourselves in the first half.”

Rolando triggered the run in the 10th minute on an excellent header from a Nick Makoid cross. What followed were goals by Nate Yuchimiuk and Germann Larmond, whose carving run in the 33rd minute created a Phoenixville own goal and 4-0 lead to Pottsgrove.

The Falcons treated Friday like the playoffs started early.

“Before the game Wit (coach Jay Witkowski) made us know it was kind of do-or-die even though we were in regardless,” Larmond said. “We just came here and followed through with our plan.”

Phil Meszaros pulled one back for the Phantoms with 1:40 until halftime. They couldn’t muster more in the second half though despite a spirited effort, Pottsgrove uninterested in allowing any question of its place as the Frontier’s finest.

Changing times

Phoenixville fell victim to the PAC’s new playoff format that qualifies the division champions and two wild-card teams for the Final Four. In past years the top two teams from each division would qualify.

“The expectation was to make the Final Four, that was one of our goals,” Cesarski said. “They changed the dynamic of how teams make the Final Four so I think that played into things. Before I started (as head coach) it was a thing that was hit or miss for this program (to make the Final Four). We’ve done it the last couple years, this year it didn’t happen.

“We knew we would need to take one of those Pottsgrove games and we didn’t do it so we have only ourselves to blame.”

Forward-thinking

The Falcons’ front line was in rhythm from the start with Larmond and Yuchimiuk in the flow while getting support from midfielders Rolando, Will Kaiser and Travis Spotts. They held the shots on goal advantage 7-5.

“Me and Nate got going really quick. It normally takes us into the second half,” Larmond said. “Right off the tap we were right at them. Nate scored first and then I was right after.”

It was the first time Phoenixville has allowed four goals in a game this season. The Phantoms’ defensive unit led by goalkeeper Mitchell Coll and defenders Danny Jackson, Clay Kopko, Sean O’Neal and Blake Ericksen has been reliable all season.

“I’ve been really happy defensively. Today was an exception,” Cesarski said. “That’s been the part of our team that I’ve been most consistently happy with … but not today.”

Sticking Together

Pottsgrove and Phoenixville are both expected to qualify for the newly-aligned District 1 Class AAA playoffs.

The Falcons were No. 4 in the power rankings entering the week, the Phantoms No. 7.

It will be old hat for Pottsgrove, which won the District 1-AA title last season. Not so for Phoenixville.

“I’m excited because we haven’t made district playoffs before (in my tenure),” the Phantoms’ third-year coach said. “If we’re going to do anything – I think we’re sitting in a place where we’re OK for districts – you’re going to play a team the level of Pottsgrove or Bishop Shanahan (No. 2) or Interboro (No. 3). They know what to expect the level to be when we get to those district playoff games.”

Semi-nal moment

Before the Falcons turn their focus to districts, they have a chance to finally get over the hump and reach the PAC championship game, a feat that’s evaded them every season, even on the two occasions they went on to win District 1-AA.

“We played Owen J. the first game and I felt like we were the better team,” Larmond said. “I think Tuesday night we’re going to be focused, settled down and really put together one of our best games to try to break through that hurdle and get through to that final game.”

“We know it’s not a walk in the park so we’re going to go right at it from the start. We’re doing well right now so I’m excited for it,” Rolando said.

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)

COURTESY OF BARRY SANKEY, POTTSTOWN MERCURY

http://papreplive.com/2016/10/04/phoenixville-overcomes-3-goal-deficit-to-top-pjp/

PHOENIXVILLE >> The two Frontier Division heavyweights butted heads for nearly 100 minutes Tuesday night at Phoenixville’s Washington Field.

Pope John Paul II and Phoenixville put on quite an exhibition of girls soccer in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

When all was said and done and all the players and coaches on both teams caught their breath, Phoenixville owned a 4-3 double-overtime victory over the Golden Panthers after the Phantoms trailed 3-0 in the early going.

PJP had beaten Phoenixville, 1-0, in the league opener, which only served as added momentum for Phoenixville in the rematch at the Phantoms’ home field.

Phoenixville’s Gabrielle Perrotto scored the game-winning goal with 4:23 left in the second 10-minute overtime session. It was Perrotto’s third goal of the game.

Phantom teammate Dakota Graham knotted the score at 3-all with just 13 seconds left in regulation time to force overtime. The score came on a dramatic 27-yard free kick from the right sideline in front of the Phoenixville bench.

The Golden Panthers bolted to their early lead on three goals by Kayla Meszaros. PJP held a 3-0 lead following Meszaros’ 30-yard bomb in the 27th minute of action.

But while the scorers did what they do best, it was the collective standout play by both schools that resulted in such an entertaining contest.

One of those players was Phoenixville’s Maddie White, who stepped up defensively against Meszaros the rest of the way

“I thought it was just a really team effort,” said White. “It takes a team effort to win a game like this. We played well, and PJP is always a tough team. We had to give it our all with them winning the first game. That was our motivation.”

Perrotto’s first goal, off a pass from Graham, put the Phantoms on the scoreboard in the 35th minute, but the Phantoms still trailed 3-1 at halftime.

White said the Phantoms remained confident despite falling behind early by a large margin

“We were not thinking about the score,” said White. “We had to get back and get back to business. It was our best game of the season so far. Everybody was excited and pumped. It was a game where morale was running high. There was a lot of talking out there.”

Phoenixville head coach Tim Raub was thrilled with his young team for stepping up in such a pressure-packed, must-win situation after facing the big early deficit.

“Maddie White was the woman of the match,” said Raub. “We put her in midfield, and that changed everything for us. Maddie White has her motor.”

At halftime, Raub and his assistants decided to switch to a three-back defense with two up top. The Phantoms switched Julia Brown from midfield to up front to be paired with Perrotto, giving the hosts another potential scoring threat that was harder to defend against. Brown was accustomed to playing for the forward spot since she plays that position with her club team.

“We were down 3-0, but they didn’t get down,” said Raub. “We are young and inexperienced so we could have folded there, but we didn’t.”

“This was the important one,” PJP coach Stewart Sherk said after the series split. “Getting Kayla (Meszaros) back made a huge difference in our team. It was a hard-fought game. Phoenixville has battlers and they are well-coached. They have a lot of talent. Our girls battled to, but we weren’t able to close it out.”

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)

http://papreplive.com/2016/09/17/chester-eager-to-put-loss-to-phoenixville-behind-them/

UPPER CHICHESTER >> Chichester had no answer for Phoenixville running back Matt Garcia as the senior rushed for 234 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns, leading the Phantoms to a 34-12 win over the host Eagles.

“We knew he was a dynamic player,” Chichester head coach Ryan Smith said after the game. “We expected to match it but we couldn’t do it.”

Phoenixville (2-2) jumped out to a 7-0 lead on its first possession following a three-and-out by the Eagles (2-2).

Phantoms quarterback Troy Rossman connected with Shyheim Abernathy on a 23-yard strike in the corner of the end zone.

The Eagles made some runs, but each drive in the first half ended with a punt.

Phoenixville’s offensive line, led by junior tackle Jon Miller, opened holes for Garcia who scored on runs of 13 and six yards to help the Phantoms end the first half with a 20-0 lead.

Smith said they saw a lot of film on Miller, listed at 6-foot-2, 280 pounds.

“They ran left a lot behind No. 79,” Smith said. “They followed their game plan and were successful.”

Miller said he loves blocking for Garcia, a 5-6, 165-pound speedster.

“He’s really a personality and teammate,” Miller said of Garcia. “He always congratulates us (the O-line) when he has a big run. He’s a great player.”

Miller — who also plays on the defensive line — said the offensive line wanted to set and dictate the tone from the start. He credited his position coach for their successful evening.

“Our offensive line coach, we have to credit him,” Miller said of coach Bubba Gray. “He pushes us to be our best with our double teams, our footwork…all our techniques. All that helped us tonight.”

As a team, the Eagles rushed for 132 yards and a late TD. Greg Allman rushed 17 times for 47 yards and scored on a 65-yard punt return early in the third quarter to make the score 20-6. Allman, a senior, also caught two passes for 14 yards.

“Greg is a nice player,” Smith said. “He’s got talent. We have a couple of good backs we can go to to keep everyone fresh.”

Blaine Lewis-Thompson rushed 10 times for 58 yards and backup quarterback Damian Thompson came in after halftime, rushed for 38 yards on five carries and a one-yard sneak with 1:30 left in the game. The sophomore was 4 of 8 passing for 37 yards.

Smith said he wasn’t worried about hitting the reset button with his players after a tough loss.

“It’s not about resetting,” Smith said. “We just gotta understand that we’re in the league (games) now. We’ve got a nice little bit of time to prepare for Interboro and dive into the tapes and put together a good game plan and follow it.”

Smith said whether his team wins or loses, he won’t let his players dwell on the game that just happened. It’s always about the game in front of them.

“That’s got to be it immediately,” Smith said. “A win or loss. We have to flush that out and get on to the next one. That will be on us to shift into gear and get ready for Interboro.”

[!] Flag as Inappropriate

Processing your request, Please wait....

Report as:	Violent or Repulsive Content|Hateful or Abusive Content|Harmful Dangerous Acts|Child Abuse|Spam|Infringes My Rights
Write in Words: (Optional)