Football: Phantoms Ready for Season Opener

With the first big game coming up Friday against nearby Great Valley, the Phoenixville Phantoms usher in a new era of Phantoms pride with a new synthetic turf field as well as a fresh look to the classic uniforms.

“I think it’s exciting for the kids,” said head coach Bill Furlong, in his ninth season. “The turf looks great and will definitely be an asset to play on, but it’s more than that. It’s a new sense of pride and the kids like the new helmets. It should be an interesting season.”

With the Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) having a different look than in the past three seasons, the new look Phantoms should have an opportunity to compete for a district playoff spot as well as contend for the conference title.

As Pottsgrove graduated an exceptional class, as well as the Wildcats graduating Ryan Brumfield, the PAC-10 will be wide open this season as Boyertown, Perkiomen Valley and Spring-Ford all will be jockeying for position along with the Phantoms.

Following a season in which key members went down with injuries, the Phantoms look to hit the field with a full arsenal as the 2011 campaign gets underway.

“I think we will be a good solid team this year,” said Furlong. “That being said, we need to stay focused on the details and execution. I don’t that we have the one player to get us out of a 20-0 hole, so we need to avoid mistakes and not beat ourselves, which happened a couple of times last season.”

Led by senior quarterback Alec McQuiston and fellow class of 2012 members Dwayne Clemmons and Dennis Kelly, Phoenixville will be able to stretch the defenses of the PAC-10 every week.

“It will be interesting to see how the league pans out,” added Furlong. “For the first time I can remember, there no clear cut favorite as the season starts. Alec [McQuiston] has developed over the off-season and his experience should help our younger guys in the huddle. He is very calm and does a great job preparing each week.”   

In Friday night’s full-on scrimmage with Wissahickon, the Phantoms got off to a solid start as they moved the ball well in their first possession before giving the ball up on a turnover at the Trojans 20-yard line. After a couple of uninspired possessions, Wissahickon got on the board first with a one-yard run, then scored again on a 37-yard run from scrimmage by senior tailback Ricky O’Donnell.

Phantoms senior Vinny Nattle did a great job in the backfield as he broke a couple of big runs as well pick up the blocks, allowing McQuiston the time he needed to get the ball downfield to sophomores D.J. Brock and Cole Luzins.

McQuiston hit junior Ryan Yenchick on an out pattern. Yenchick continued to run under the ball, after battling away two defenders, and used his speed to break free and scamper down the sideline, posting a 79-yard touchdown play when it was all said and done.

The scrimmage ended in 14-7 defeat, but in the effort, Furlong was able to get a great read on what the Phantoms will have to lock up in the final week of preparation for the season opener Friday as Phoenixville hits the road and takes on non-league rival Great Valley.

“This group of seniors have been out here working hard every day,” said Ernie Knight, who is now 6-foot-one and 253 pounds. “I had to bulk up in the off-season. We have to be ready to battle and to do that you have to be shape to go up against some of the lines in the PAC-10."

With eight of 11 starters having significant game experience, the Phantoms should have an advantage over the long haul of the season, but Furlong squad will still rely on the senior leadership of Knight, along with Travis Andrews, Nick Watson, Jesse Gervasi, Tim Hunt, Alex McLemore, Joe Rudisill and Kyle Gehrholz as they take to the new turf of Washington Field.

Phoenixville Phantoms Varsity Football Schedule

Friday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. at Great Valley 

Friday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m., vs. St. John Neumann Maria Goretti

Saturday, Sept. 17, 1 p.m., at Methacton 

Friday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m., vs. Owen J. Roberts 

Friday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m., at Pottstown 

Thursday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m., vs. Perkiomen Valley 

Saturday, Oct. 15, 2 p.m., vs. Boyertown 

Saturday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m., at Pope John Paul II 

Friday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., vs. Upper Perkiomen 

Friday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., at Pottsgrove

Friday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., at Norristown 

Thursday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m., vs. Spring-Ford