Tonight, in a opening week game in District 1, Perkiomen Valley beat Downingtown West by a score of 42-41. Tonight was a game that featured everything, from a 42-14 fourth quarter lead that nearly evaporated in six minutes, to 917 combined yards of offense, seven turnovers, 621 combined passing yards, and 83 points.
The shootout was as expected, but almost became one sided. Downingtown West scored on their first possession, on a one-yard run by Kenny Costello to cap off the drive.
The Whippets’ score was answered by 28 unanswered first half points by Perk Valley, a 13-yard run by Brendan Schimpf, two touchdown passes from Stephen Sturm to Justin Jaworski (22 & 16 yards), and a 17 yard run by David Williams, to build a 28-7 halftime lead.
Everything went Perk Valley’s way most of the game, as the Whippets were unable to finish drives. A fumble and three interceptions by Kyle Geiser (one of six new quarterbacks in the Ches Mont National), ended potential scoring drives.
When Downingtown West closed it to 28-14 on a one-yard run by Michael Riddick, the Vikings expanded the lead to 42-14 on another Sturm touchdown pass to David Williams (16 yards) and another touchdown run by Brendan Schimpf.
In most cases a 28 point lead with less than seven minutes to play is insurmountable. Tonight was not that case. Perkiomen Valley did everything in their power to give the game away. Following a Sturm interception, Cole Zapf scored on a 14-yard run to make the score 42-21. Following a quick three and out, a 67-yard pass from Geiser to Zapf closed the gap further to 42-28,. A 40-yard pass off a flea flicker from Geiser to Braden Williams (immediately following a successful onside kick) made it 42-35. Then while trying to run out the clock, a Perkiomen Valley ball carrier fumbled the ball, which West capitalized on when Geiser found Michael Riddick for 27 yards.
After the touchdown pass from Geiser to Riddick cut the score to 42-41, Downingtown West was faced with a critical play call, kick the extra point and play for overtime, or go for two and win it. With all the momentum, West (rightfully so) went for two and the win. Unfortunately for the Whippets, the pass was intercepted.
As good a quarterback as Stephen Sturm is (16-27-244 yards), Kyle Geiser from Downingtown West had a great game. Following a slow start, Geiser threw for 377 yards & three touchdowns.
