Mike Markland

      The word out of King of Prussia was that this year’s Upper Merion football team was bigger and stronger than last year’s 1-9 squad.   Friday night at home versus Neumann-Goretti, the Vikings may have confirmed the rumors, as they demolished the Saints 41-0.

      It took UM’s offense a few series to get going, but the Viking defense never gave the Saints a chance.  Neumann-Goretti finished the night with 36 yards of total offense ( -28 rushing).

      Upper Merion, which led 21-0 at halftime, rode their senior workhorse, running back Pete Panichi, who had 19 carries for 212 yards and 2 rushing TDs.  Panichi also ran the second half kickoff back for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 28-0.  Senior QB Alex Phanthavong didn’t have the best night statistically, ( 3 of 10, 78 yds, 2 INT’s ), but had a beautiful scoring toss in the 2nd quarter, hitting sophomore Dexter Bridge in stride for a 62 yard TD.  Phanthavong also had 2 touchdown runs of 1 and 7 yards.  Upper Merion Head Coach Joe Powel summed up his team’s effort: “We came out wanting to prove that last year was last year.  We have a group of seniors dedicated to winning and they played with a lot of heart tonight”.

       N-G qb Anthony Mastrando finished 5 of 24 for 51 yds, was sacked twice, and harassed plenty.  He was also the “victim” of some dropped passes, including one that looked like a sure touchdown.  Head Coach Bill Sytsma alluded to that after the game: “When you’re not catching footballs it leaves the defense free to tee up on your running game”.   The Saints deepest penetration of the game came in the 3rd quarter, but after a 1st and goal at the UM 5 yard line, a 3rd down sack by LB Tyler Zeoli forced a 33 yard field goal attempt, which William Huff missed wide left.

      As if Neumann-Goretti’s night weren’t bad enough, 2 way standout lineman Kadeem Custis had to be helped off the field with a leg injury late in the game.  The training staff was still determining the extent of the injury after the game.

     Upper Merion will play at Quakertown next friday night, and Neumann-Goretti will host Wyomissing next Saturday.

          Upper Merion will host Neumann-Goretti Friday night, August 29th, in the 2008 season opener.  Game time is 7 PM.   Both schools are hoping to improve, after disappointing seasons in 2007.

          Neumann-Goretti is led by 2nd year head coach Bill Sytsma, and features heavily-recruited lineman Kadeem Custis.  The Saints finished at 2-9 last season, but did qualify for the Philadelphia Catholic League Blue division playoffs, losing to Archbishop Carroll in the first round.  In 2008 N-G will play in the newly-formed PCL Blue AAA division; a result of the PCL joining the PIAA.

          Joe Powel begins his 2nd season as head man at Upper Merion, which competes in the Suburban One League (American Conference).  The 2007 Vikings were a young team, and finished with a dismal 1-9 record, but most of the starters are back, and eager to improve in ’08.  UM grad Brad Scioli, who starred at Penn State and played in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts, is now a member of the coaching staff.