UP's Fleming runs for 213 yards in rout

by Jake Hallman, Special to the Pottstown Mercury

Posted on November 10, 2007

RED HILL - Cody Fleming didn't need any extra motivation heading into Friday night's non-league game against Quakertown.

No, the Upper Perkiomen senior fullback-linebacker understood very well the contest was his last on his home field against a backyard rival. Fleming also was very certain what a win would do to his team after losing five out of the last six outings.

Fortunately for Fleming and his Indian teammates, all that changed. And while the 42-10 victory over the Panthers' (1-10) did nothing for the league standings, it did give the Tribe (5-6) a needed dose of confidence heading into its Thanksgiving Day tilt against Boyertown.

"This win was very important," Fleming said. "We want to finish 6-6 on the season, and right now 6-6 is just as good as 12-0. Everything just went perfect tonight, the rain held off and we were able to take it to them. We're always ready for Thanksgiving, but this gets us even more ready, and we're ready for Boyertown."

Fleming's emphasis on the game showed on both sides of the ball. When the final horn sounded, Fleming piled up 213 yards on just eight carries (over 26 yards per touch) for two scores and led the defense with five tackles and a sack.

Sophomore running back Shawn Wenhold racked up 162 yards and two touchdowns himself as part of a 396-yard rushing attack by the Indians.

The bulk of the credit started up front with senior center Tyler Hild, senior twin brothers and guards John and Tom Artim, tackles Matt Fody and Curt Zimpfer and tight end Jeff Poku-Adjei.

"It was really fun, especially against Quakertown, it's a backyard brawl," John Artim said. "And it's always fun run blocking." Brother Tom agreed.

"It's great running the football, there's nothing better as a lineman," he said. "And Cody had a huge day, and it's nice to see that, it means the line did a good job."

Upper Perk jumped out to a commanding 28-0 lead at halftime as Justin Horning opened the scoring with a 25-yard touchdown catch from Justin Kresge at the six-minute mark. Chase Fleming scored on the Tribe's next offensive series on a seven-yard burst up the middle and older brother Cody matched that with a 78-yard dash on a hook-and-lateral from Horning across the goal line. Cody struck again before half, this time on a 60-yard handoff coupled with an ankle-breaking cutback to the end zone.

But Upper Perk wasn't done yet.

After a Quakertown field goal before intermission, the Tribe went back to work with a 12-yard score from Wenhold on a sweep to the left and a 57-yard scoring sprint from the sophomore with six minutes left to play. Quakertown responded with a 60-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to stop the mercy clock, but it was too little, too late.

"This is what I've been expecting all season," said Upper Perk head coach Keith Leamer." Coming into the season I expected this to be one of the best teams I've had. But we've been through the ringer all season, losing a teammate to start the season off has been a long hard road to overcome. I just asked for their help and they took ownership and played the way they can."

NOTES

Horning accounted for all 51 of Upper Perk's receiving yards as the senior hauled in four passes. The Indians' defense got a boost from Jawad Majeed's four tackles and a sack, as well as a pair of solo stops and a sack from senior tight end Dane Kress, four tackles form Michael Keller and an interception to end the game from Nick Edmonson.

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