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Sasek throws four TDs as Rams top UP
by Jake Hallman, Special to the Pottstown Mercury
Posted on October 6, 2007
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| NHSCA Sports Network photo/Joe Evans |
| Spring-Ford QB Trevor Sasek passed for 171 yards, including 4 first half TDs. |
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| NHSCA Sports Network photo/Scott Waters |
| Andre Watkins caught 7 passes against Upper Perk, taking 3 for touchdowns in the Rams' win. |
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| NHSCA Sports Network photo/Scott Waters |
| Cody Fleming got the Indians on the board with a 71-yard TD catch, then scored on a 46-yard run late in the game. |
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RED HILL - Trevor Sasek said he wasn't surprised in the least when his first pass went 58 yards for a touchdown on the first play of Friday night's Pioneer Athletic Conference game against Upper Perkiomen.
And the 6-foot-6 junior quarterback said he and his Spring-Ford teammates were unfazed when Upper Perk scored 23 unanswered points in the second half and was poised to score again late in the fourth quarter.
It was that kind of composure that led the Rams (3-1, 3-3) to a 35-30 victory over the Indians (2-2, 3-3).
"We just prepared this week and were ready for this game," said Sasek, who was 11-for-21 for 171 yards and four touchdowns on the night. "Our offensive line really made some great holes and gave me time to throw. We just had to get our heads straight, concentrate and do everything right - everybody had to do their jobs."
And everyone on head coach Gary Rhodenbaugh's team did do their jobs, especially when faced with adversity. Though up 35-7 at the half, the Rams saw the Indians whittle away at the lead as Upper Perk running back Ryan Connor scored from three yards out midway through the third quarter.
Dane Kress pulled in a 15-yard offering from quarterback Justin Kresge three minutes later on fourth down and Cody Fleming made it a one-score game with 1:26 left in the third frame as he rumbled 46 yards on a fullback trap to the end zone.
Things really got interesting from there as Upper Perk's defense forced a safety on the Rams' ensuing possession. But a costly Upper Perk fumble, coupled with a determined running game from the Rams, thanks to David Tyler (17 carries, 80 yards) and Nick Reidenouer (13 carries, 63 yards, TD), sealed the victory.
"We handled adversity well, and we had to continue to remind the players that that was important," Rhodenbaugh said. "Upper Perk is a good football team and won't quit, and historically there's been no quit in them. We just had to maintain that composure and make sure we played all 48 minutes."
Spring-Ford sure got the most out of those first 24 minutes. On the game's first play, Sasek hooked up with senior wide receiver Andre Watkins for a 58-yard touchdown.
Watkins (seven catches, 125 yards, three touchdowns) pulled in another scoring grab on the Rams' next series from five yards out, then scored again from the six-yard line after Reidenouer rumbled for a four-yard score late in the first quarter. Tight end Matt Santiago also added a 10-yard touchdown grab from Sasek in the second quarter to account for the team's 35-7 halftime lead.
"We definitely showed something tonight, now we just need to get ready for Lansdale Catholic," Sasek said. "But tonight we still felt confident when Upper Perk came back ... we all did."
Upper Perk, meanwhile, was only able to muster a 71-yard pass on its first series from Kresge (4 of 9, 108 yards, 2 TDs) to Fleming in the first half.
While Spring-Ford's offense may have grabbed the bulk of the attention, its defense wasn't too shabby, either. The Rams held Upper Perk to three rushing yards, two first downs and 88 total yards.
Senior defensive lineman David Likens helped spearhead the Rams' defense with three sacks as Santiago notched two sacks himself. Malik Hughes and Matt Patterson both intercepted passes, Rich Iannelli recovered a fumble, and Watkins broke up a pass.
Upper Perk's defense got a boost from Jawad Majeed (six tackles, sack), Fleming (six tackles, fumble recovery), Sean Kelly (three tackles, sack) and Nick Hale (blocked punt).
"We came out and played great after halftime, what a tremendous effort, we just ran out of time in the second half or we would have won the football game," Upper Perk head coach Keith Leamer said. "Spring-Ford is a AAAA team who won two impressive games and they carried it over into the first half tonight. They took advantage of us not playing up to par."
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