FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

THE MERCURY

FROM PAGE 1

and hell let you know of that.

Nothing is out of reach, everything is
in reach, Pearson said. Me playing football, everyone asks Marvin, how do you
play football? I just tell them, come out
and watch me. Look at the way I never give
up, or encourage our guys to do better.
Dont think Pearson is just a cheerleader
either.
He loves it, Rhodenbaugh said. During the scouting report he asks questions,
good questions. Hes definitely into the
strategy and the Xs and Os.
Its been a feeling out process, what
accommodations would benefit him and
what is he comfortable with. Earlier today
(Wednesday) we were doing tackling stations, he participates. Its been a real cool
experience for him and for us.
He started going blind in second grade,
an experience more frustrating than fearful for the young Pearson, who had a hard
time getting his teachers and doctor to believe him due to his boy who cried wolf
joking demeanor. He fully lost his vision
nearly two years later.
It was a tough time, but these type of
things you have to get over, Pearson said.
It wasnt scary at all. I was more frustrated than anything. I was the type of
kid that played around a lot. I went in the
school and I was trying to look at a dictionary and I realized the words on the
paper werent as clear as they should have
been. I was telling my teachers, I was telling my mom and at first nobody believed
me, not even the eye doctor. He said that he
believed that I was having trouble seeing
but didnt know to what degree because
I always was kidding around. I think at
that point in time, that mentally helped
me mature.
Pearson played football and wrestled
during his time at Pottstown middle school
before attending Overbrook School of the
Blind in Philadelphia the past three years.
He was a standout athlete at Overbrook in
track and field, losing only one race since
10th grade while running the 50-yard, 75yard, 200-meter and 400-meter. He also
worked his way to the starting lineup in
Goalball a 3-on-3 game designed specifically for blind athletes. The game features
two teams that alternate throwing or rolling a ball embedded with bells (similar to a
medium sized medicine ball) from one side
of the playing area to the other. Players remain in the area of their own goal in both
defense and offense, and
must use the sound of the
bell to judge the position
and movement of the ball.
Its basically a cross
between soccer and bowling, he explained. There
are two soccer nets one

SAM STEWART - DFM

MERCURY
FOOTBALL
PICKS
Austin Hertzog

Be on the Lookout: Warriors remember

82-0 result from last year and will be hungry to have a better showing.
Prediction: Spring-Ford wins, but not by
82 points. SF wins 35-13.

Football

Pottsgroves Adam
Girafalco, right, is one
of four Falcons with an
interception this season.

| SPORTS | 3

Pope John Paul II at Phoenixville, 7 p.m.

Record: Pope John Paul II 1-0 PAC, 2-3
overall; Phoenixville 0-1 PAC, 2-3 overall.
Last weeks result: Pope John Paul II
defeated Pottstown 20-6; Phoenixville lost
to Upper Perkiomen 47-35.
Golden Panthers Facts/Figures: PJP
is riding a two-game winning streak, the
first time its accomplished the feat in five
seasons ... QB Matt DeLaurentis is 64-for117 for 752 yards and 8 TDs (5 INTs) this
season. His 64 completions are third-most
in the PAC.
Phantoms Facts/Figures: Against Upper
Perk, RB Matt Garcia rushed for 238 yards
and three scores on 23 carries. At 845 rushSAM STEWART - DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ing yards on the year, he could break the
1,000-yard barrier vs. PJP.
Pope John Paul IIs Matt DeLaurentis scrambles for a first down during the Golden
Be on the Lookout: Phantoms should be
Panthers 20-6 victory over Pottstown last Saturday.
desperate to avoid an 0-2 start in the PAC
and expect to play like it.
on each end and you try to get ball size Backyard Brawl
Prediction: Phoenixville gets it done, 24of basketball into the net by throwing or
rolling it. Some guys were able to bounce
Pottstown hasnt bested its neighbor- 20
it but the ball is very hollow so they dont ing opponent since a 47-0 victory in 2002.
bounce well. I was on the bench my soph- Pottsgrove enters Saturdays clash after a Daniel Boone at Governor Mifflin, 7 p.m.
omore year but saw a lot of playing time. dominating 35-0 victory over Upper Mer- Record: Daniel Boone 1-0 Berks I, 2-2 overJunior year I worked my way up to being ion while Pottstown comes in after a disap- all; Governor Mifflin 1-0 Berks 1, 3-1 overall.
a starter.
pointing 20-6 loss to Pope John Paul II last
He would have started again his senior Saturday. Pottsgroves Rahsul Faison is sec- Last weeks result: Daniel Boone defeated
season, but coming back to Pottstown and ond in the PAC with 708 rushing yards and Muhlenberg 26-23; Governor Mifflin desuiting up with his friends for one last sea- first with nine touchdowns. Faison, Des- feated Exeter 28-21.
son was too good to pass up.
mond Austin, Kobey Baldwin and Adam Blazers Facts/Figures: Blazers won
second straight with last-second win over
Ive known a lot of these kids for so long Girafalco each have an interception.
Muhlenberg. ... WR Ryan Okuniewski leads
that when I was finally able to suit up, I felt
team with 17 receptions for 289 yards.
blessed, Pearson said. Even though I cant Lengthy Streaks
see, God blessed me with athletic ability, to
Boyertown is looking to top Perkiomen ... Spencer McIntosh has rushed for 256
be strong and to be fast. It felt really good Valley for the first time since 2010. Thats yards on 71 carries. Blazers have outscored
to be on the field playing the sport that I also the same year Methacton last topped opponents 19-0 in fourth, but have been
love the most.
Spring-Ford. Pope John Paul II is also look- outscored 66-7 in the second quarter.
On Saturday, thats where No. 28 will be. ing for its first victory over Phoenixville in Mustangs Facts/Figures: Run-heavy
school history. The Golden Panthers are offense has churned up 884 yards on the
College Bound
0-6 since Kennedy-Kenrick and St. Pius X ground in first four games. ... Ajay Sczepkowski leads team with eight receptions for
Pearson, who manages 17 fantasy foot- merged.
102 yards.
ball teams, wants to stay involved in sports
once he goes to college. He is looking at eiBe on the Lookout: Blazers run defense
ther Temple or Kutztown and is looking to Now for a look at Week 6:
allowed 239 yards to Muhlenbergs Brandon
work as a sports agent or scout.
Gassert in last weeks win. How will they
He loves sports and one of the things Upper Perkiomen at Upper Merion,
rebound against Mifflin?
thats so important is that hes an advo- 7 p.m.
Prediction: Mifflin stunned Exeter last
cate for himself, too, Rhodenbaugh said. Record: Upper Perkiomen 1-0 PAC, 2-3
week and will be on the winning end again.
I think hell end up doing real, real well overall; Upper Merion 0-1 PAC, 1-4 overall.
Mifflin wins 28-21.
in that field. He knows how to be assertive,
Last
weeks
result:
Upper
Perkiomen
and at the same time, he knows how to
defeated Phoenixville 47-35; Upper Merion Nativity BVM at Perkiomen School,
ask people for help if or when he needs it.
lost to Pottsgrove 35-0.
7 p.m.
Indians Facts/Figures: Tyler Whary
Record: Nativity BVM 1-4 overall; Perkiorushed for 203 yards as Indians held on in
men School 2-1 overall.
fourth quarter to top Phoenixville. ... QB
Last weeks result: Nativity BVM lost to
Zeke Hallman dropped to third in passing
Kutztown 27-13; Perkiomen School deyards (929) but is still second in the league feated George School 46-14.
with 14 touchdowns. Senior QB has only
thrown two interceptions and is completing Green Wave Facts/Figures: Green Wave
have scored 20 points in four losses and
58 percent of his passes. ... Ryan Kendra
have been shut out twice. ... Green Waves
is tied for league lead with three intercepwin came against 1-4 Columbia Montour
tions.
Vo-Tech from Bloomsburg.
Vikings Facts/Figures: Nothing went right
for Vikings in last weeks loss to Falcons. ... Panthers Facts/Figures: Perkiomen
School will play in night game at Upper
Team was limited to 32 yards through the
air and 75 on the ground. ... Vikings are last Perkiomen. ... Panthers have outscored opin PAC in total offense (165.2 ypg), and 11th ponents 100-27 in two wins.
Be on the Lookout: Perkiomen School has
in points per game (9.6).
topped Nativity in past two seasons by
Be on the Lookout: Upper Merion hasnt
faced a team predicated on passing ... until margin of 83-7. Another blowout in store?
Friday. Lets see how Hallman and receivers Prediction: Perk School wins easy, 34-6.
Kendra and Tyler Keyser fare.
Prediction: Upper Perkiomen keeps scoring Saturdays Games
as defense does just enough. Indians win
Owen J. Roberts at Norristown, 1 p.m.
31-14.
Record: Owen J. Roberts 0-1 PAC, 2-3
overall; Norristown 0-1 PAC, 0-5 overall.
Boyertown at Perkiomen Valley, 7 p.m.
Last weeks result: Owen J. Roberts lost
Record: Boyertown 1-0 PAC, 2-3 overall;
to Perkiomen Valley 43-7; Norristown lost
Perkiomen Valley 1-0 PAC, 5-0 overall.
to Spring-Ford 50-14.
Last weeks result: Boyertown defeated
Wildcats Facts/Figures: Wildcats have
Sam Stewart
Jeff Stover
Tom Nash
Methacton 46-41; Perkiomen Valley descored just seven points in two losses that
feated Owen J. Roberts 43-7.
sandwich a 12-0 victory over Upper Merion.
Perkiomen Valley Perkiomen Valley Perkiomen Valley
Bears Facts/Figures: Bears won a thriller ... Wildcats rank eighth in the PAC in total
offense (232.2 ypg) and points per game
last week, outscoring the Warriors 12-6
(16.8). ... Hunter Scherfel leads team with
in
the
final
quarter
after
Methacton
took
a
Phoenixville
Phoenixville
Phoenixville
35-34 lead after three. ... QB Jerry Kapp got 267 yards rushing and five touchdowns.
going again on the ground with 121 yards
Eagles Facts/Figures: Norristown strugrushing on 14 carries and three scores. He
gling to put the pieces together in each of
Spring-Ford
Spring-Ford
Spring-Ford
also completed 7-of-11 for 176 and two
its five losses. ... Team ranks 11th in total
scores. ... Bears snapped three-game losing offense (197 ypg), 10th in points per game
streak.
Upper Perkiomen Upper Perkiomen Upper Perkiomen
(9.6) and ninth in total defense (361.6 ypg).
Vikings Facts/Figures: QB Stephen Sturm Be on the Lookout: Both teams are looking
leads the league with 1,446 passing yards
to rebound after blowout losses. Who will
Gov. Mifflin
Gov. Mifflin
Gov. Mifflin
and 18 touchdowns through teams first
be able to do it?
five games. ... Sean Owens hauled in four
Prediction: Owen J. Roberts wins 24-16.
passes for 75 yards and David Williams
Perk School
Perk School
Perk School
was a dual threat in the run and pass game
Pottsgrove at Pottstown, 2:30 p.m.
as Vikings fared well with leading receiver
Record: Pottsgrove 1-0 PAC, 3-2 overall;
Justin
Jaworski
out
with
injury.
...
Team
Pottsgrove
Pottsgrove
Pottsgrove
Pottstown 0-1 PAC, 1-4 overall.
ranks first in total offense (406.8 ypg).
Last weeks result: Pottsgrove defeated
Be on the Lookout: Boyertown hasnt
Owen J. Roberts
Owen J. Roberts
Owen J. Roberts
Upper Merion 35-0; Pottstown lost to Pope
defeated PV since 2010 and the ugliest
John Paul II 20-6.
game came last year in 51-0 loss. How do
they respond?
Outlook: See Story, C1
SCH
SCH
SCH
Prediction: PV wins 42-14.
Prediction: Pottsgrove wins 42-16.

Boyertown at
Perkiomen Valley

Perkiomen Valley

Pope John Paul II

at Phoenixville

Phoenixville

Spring-Ford at
Methacton

Spring-Ford

Upper Perkiomen
at Upper Merion

Upper Perkiomen

Daniel Boone at
Governor Mifflin

Gov. Mifflin

PerkSchool at
Nativity BVM

Perk School

Pottsgrove at
Pottstown

Pottsgrove

Owen J. Roberts
at Norristown

Owen J. Roberts

Hill School
at SCH

SCH

Moravian at
Ursinus

Moravian

Moravian

Moravian

Moravian

Minnesota at
Penn State

Penn State

Penn State

Penn State

Penn State

Tennessee at
Georgia

Georgia

Tennessee

Tennessee

Tennessee

Wisconsin at
Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Titans
at Texans

Texans

Texans

Texans

Texans

Raiders
at Ravens

Ravens

Raiders

Ravens

Raiders

Giants
at Vikings

Vikings

Vikings

Vikings

Vikings

LAST WEEK:

10-6

11-5

11-5

13-3

OVERALL:

57-21

52-26

51-27

57-21

Spring-Ford at Methacton, 7 p.m.

Record: Spring-Ford 1-0 PAC, 4-1 overall;
Methacton 0-1 PAC, 1-4 overall.
Last weeks result: Spring-Ford defeated
Norristown 50-14; Methacton lost to Boyertown 46-41.
Rams Facts/Figures: Rams have scored
the most points of any team in the PAC so
far (216). ... TJ Pergine now ranks second in
PAC in passing yards (941) after throwing
for 195 yards in last weeks win. ... Rams
built 43-7 lead at the half and have now
outscored opposing teams 143-37 in first
two quarters.
Warriors Facts/Figures: QB Jason Eckman had his best game to date against
Boyertown, completing 10-of-16 passes
for 112 yards. ... Ryan OToole had seasonbest 83 yards rushing for Warriors in loss to
Boyertown. Warriors still rank last in total
defense (412.8 ypg).

Hill School at Springside-Chestnut Hill,

3:30 p.m.
Record: Hill School 2-1 overall; SCHA 3-1
overall.
Last weeks result: Hill School lost to
Episcopal Academy 23-19; SCHA lost
Rams Facts/Figures: Daniel Adeboboye
again rushed for more than 100 yards, rushing for 125 yards on 18 carries in last weeks
loss to Episcopal. ... Syre Gruber led the
team with 89 yards passing last week.
Blue Devils Facts/Figures: SCHA came
up with big wins against Roman Catholic
and Father Judge in consecutive wins.
Teams lone loss came to Blue Mountain
(21-14) in Week 2.
Be on the Lookout: SCHA has not spelled
good fortune for the Hill as the Rams are
0-5 in the last five years.
Prediction: Losing streak continues for
Hill, SCHA wins 24-21.