Perkiomen School's football team took the field Friday afternoon with just 23 players in uniform. It's a situation head coach Tom Calvario has never dealt with before.  "I'm learning on the fly how to deal with this," he said, "We'll figure it out."

           Significantly undermanned, the host Panthers suffered a 60-22 loss to Tower Hill. They fell behind 17-0 early in the first quarter and got no closer than 11 points early in quarter.

            The Hillers, who rolled up 418 yards of total offense, scored on eight of 11 drives and registered seven touchdowns "Take nothing away from Tower Hill," Calvario said. "That is a very good football team."

            However a small roster, which includes a kicking specialist and three eighth graders, has forced Perkiomen School to rely heavily on 18 sophomores, juniors and seniors. Out of necessity, the team features 10 two-way starters, according to the coach.  "This situation is unheard of," Calvario said.

            Injuries and a lack of depth forced the team to substitute a wide receiver at offensive right tackle during the loss.

            The undersized Panthers, who opened the season with a 50-21 victory over St. Joseph's Catholic Academy on September 8, were overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage against Tower Hill.

            Dylan Nitsche and Isaiah Brown each rushed for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns. Nitsche finished with 133 yards on 15 carries. Brown delivered 116 yards on 11 carries.

            The Hillers' offense wore Perkiomen down early with a 10-play 51-yard touchdown drive. Midway through the second quarter, Brown's 6-yard touchdown run capped a 17-play, 80-yard series to put them ahead 24-6.

            In the second half, Tower Hill's offensive utilized its quick strike ability to reach the end zone on five drives of five plays or less.

            The Hillers defense helped to pressure Perkiomen School quarterback Nick Guadarrama into two interceptions, both of which were returned for a touchdown.

            Guadarrama, a senior, completed 11-of-23 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns. David Smith, who caught two of those scoring passes, finished with four receptions for 110 yards. Reggie James added an 11-yard TD catch.

            Smith, a junior, provided the Panthers' only defensive highlights. He blocked Tower Hill's point after touchdown attempt early in the first quarter. In the third quarter, he intercepted a pass and returned it 33 yards.

            "Right now, we're not a very good football team," said Calvario, whose team will host George School at 1 p.m. on Saturday. "We, as a coaching staff, have got to figure out a way to coach up some of the younger guys so they can contribute."