By Scott Huff
NORRISTOWN - In a renewed rivalry between host Norristown and Upper Merion, it was the visiting Vikings (5-2, 3-1) that would write an exciting chapter to the storied competition with a 14-7 comeback victory over the Eagles (4-3, 2-2).
On fourth and eight from the Norristown 37-yard line, senior quarterback Alex Phanthavong fired a gorgeous scoring strike to sophomore Dexter Bridge with just 1 minute, 27 seconds left in the game.
“The call was trips left – cross country,” smiled Bridge who caught six passes for 93 yards and the game-winning touchdown. “I really think that Alex is the best quarterback in the league, and we have been working well together.”
“Their quarterback is a very good football player,” said Norristown coach E.J. Smith. “They have a lot of confidence in him and for good reason.”
“Alex is the glue that holds us together,” said Upper Merion coach Joe Powel. “He is our catalyst. He is the guy that gets us going.”
The guy that has gotten Norristown going all season has been running back Sheldon Mayer. But a terrific defensive effort by the Vikings kept the diminutive Mayer under the radar as he rushed for just 34 net yards on 16 carries.
“We packed the box on them, and we ran to the football,” said Powel. “I thought we executed very well on defense.”
Norristown played without the services of their fine starting quarterback – James Ramsey – who missed most of the game with bruised ribs. The injury came at the outset of the game, and the Eagles were forced into playing freshman Shannon Mayer – younger brother of Sheldon.
Mayer gave Norristown a lead in the second period when he tossed a fine 74-yard scoring pass to senior wideout Anthony Robey. Ian Hammer’s placement gave the Eagles a 7-0 advantage.
“Shannon stepped up and played a good football game,” said Smith. “We have confidence in him, and he is only going to get better.”
Upper Merion – held scoreless for the first three periods - got better in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
The Vikings scored on an 11-play, 76-yard drive that began at the close of the third period and culminated with a 20-yard Phanthavong TD sprint with 11:04 left in the final period.
“Alex ran what we call a quarterback trap,” said Powel. “He saw a hole and used his speed to get into the end zone.”
It may have been Phanthavong’s legs that got the Vikings back into the game – but it was his arm that got Upper Merion into the victory column.
“This was a big game for us – a make or break game for the season,” said Powel. “We came here to win, and when we had the fourth down at the end of the game, we were going to take that opportunity to win the football game.”
Opportunity knocked – and the Vikings answered with a key SOL American Conference victory.
Upper Merion 0 0 0 14-14
Norristown 0 7 0 0-7
N: Robey 74 pass from Mayer (Hammer kick)
UM: Phanthavong 20 run (Bridge kick)
UM: Bridge 37 pass from Phanthavong (Bridge kick)
Upper Merion Norristown
12 First Downs 10
151 Yds/Rush 86
119 Yds/Pass 105
270 Total Off. 191
5-25 Punts/Avg 6-34
4-41 Pen./Yds 2-15
Upper Merion
Rushing: Panichi 18-113; Phanthavong 11-29-TD; Brennan 2-9. Totals 31-151-TD
Passing: Phanthavong 11-20-1; 119 yards & TD.
Receiving: Bridge 6-93-TD; Panichi 2-4; Saul 1-11; Hamilton 1-11; Legendre 1-0. Totals: 11-119-TD.
Interception: Phanthavong.
Norristown
Rushing: Sheldon Mayer 16-34; Williams 4-21; Shannon Mayer 6-18; Keliojor 6-16; Ramsey 1-(minus 3). Totals 33-86
Passing: Mayer 5-12-1; 83 yards & TD; Ramsey 3-8-0; 22 yards. Totals: 8-20-1; 105 yards & TD.
Receiving: Robey 4-76-TD; Hill 2-9; Goode 1-12; Mayer 1-8. Totals: 8-105-1; TD.
Interception: Goode.
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