Schwartz runs wild as Upper Perkiomen trounces Sun Valley for first 3-0 start in 20 years

by dennis weller

RED HILL — The Upper Perkiomen football team is off to a 3-0 start for the first time in 20 years following a 48-21 non-league win over Sun Valley Friday night at Bill Keeny Stadium.

Zach Schwartz led a powerful running attack for the Indians with 204 yards and five touchdowns and Upper Perk seemed to counter every big play by the Vanguards (1-2) with one of their own throughout the night. R.J. Scharrer passed for 250 yards for Sun Valley.

“It’s all on the offensive line,” said senior Schwartz, who broke the game open for good with a 59-yard TD burst early in the fourth quarter for a 48-21 lead. “It’s all of them. They help me so much.”

Zach Adam added 154 rushing yards for the hosts along with an 85-yard kickoff return, and Kane Krier ran for 62 yards as the Indians piled up 458 yards on the ground on 53 attempts (8.6 yards per rush).

“Our three-headed attack is very unique,” said Indians coach Dan Heinrichs. “A senior (Schwartz), a junior (Krier) and a sophomore (Adam). “They all run the ball differently. Our offensive line had a phenomenal night getting off the ball. They’re all back from last year.”

“We knew they were going to run the ball,” Sun Valley coach Ernie Ellis said. “They’re a very good running team. We thought we had some answers. They definitely played as a unit, their guards and tackles. Number 63 (Dylan Marshall), I tip my cap to that kid.”

Sun Valley drove 69 yards on the opening possession of the night, with Jack Penzone running into the end zone from two yards out. But Adam took the ensuing kickoff at the Indians’ five-yard line and ran it back all the way to the Vanguard 10, and quarterback Logan O’Donnell rushed three yards three plays later to bring the Indians within 7-6.

“Special teams are my Achilles heel,” said Ellis.

Schwartz scored twice in the second quarter on 8-yard runs, the second making it 20-7 with just 37 seconds left in the half. Then Sun Valley quickly worked its way downfield and scored on a 27-yard pass from Scharrer to Rocco Radico as time expired for a 20-14 halftime score.

But Upper Perk immediately bounced back from that bit of adversity as the second half began. The Indians recovered a Vanguard onside kick at the Sun Valley 48 yard line and Schwartz took it in from there with 36 and 12-yard runs.

“There were times when we were in the right alignment defensively, but everyone has mistakes,” said Heinrichs. “But they (the Indians) rallied. We try to put adversity into our practice schemes. Last year, we didn’t have that confidence.”

Sun Valley closed to within 27-21 when Aidan Cook made a one-handed grab of a pass from Scharrer for a 35-yard score on a 4th-and-23 play. But the Indians came right back with a 79-yard drive to regain control and a 12-yard TD run by Krier early in the fourth quarter made it 41-21.

“We never hung our heads,” said Adam. “Everyone worked and the effort they put in was phenomenal.”

The Indians had not begun a season with two straight wins since 2017, when they went on to their most recent winning record with a 7-5 mark. They went 8-3 in 2004 after beginning the season with wins over Quakertown, Phoenixville and Owen J. Roberts.

“It feels amazing,” said Adam. “I couldn’t be more happy. We have to go back to work and be 1-0 next week.”

Schwartz was held to 40 yards on his first eight carries but wound up with an average of nearly 10 yards on his 21 attempts.

“Zach Adam had a great run,” said Schwartz. “He had my back. Everyone had my back. Everyone did their job tonight. Every week we have a mindset. Work hard and go 1-0.”

Jose Montero and Aiden Void intercepted passes for the Indians, who did not turn the ball over until losing a fumble late in the contest.

Sun Valley will try to bounce back from the loss during which they hurt themselves with 10 penalties for a total of 95 yards.

“That’s what we do,” said Ellis. “It’s not all about the outcome on Friday nights. It’s how you respond.”

Upper Perkiomen 48, Sun Valley 21

Sun Valley 7 7 7 0 – 21

Upper Perkiomen 6 14 14 14 – 48

SV-Penzone 2 run (Nolek kick)

UP-L O’Donnell 3 run (kick failed)

UP-Schwartz 8 run (Schramm pass from L O’Donnell)

UP-Schwartz 8 run (kick failed)

SV-Radico 35 pass from Scharrer (Nolek kick)

UP-Schwartz 12 run (Lash kick)