For Upper Perkiomen's football team to be competitive, Tyrese Reid needs to remain healthy. According to head coach Tom Hontz, Reid's explosive speed should

Upper Perkiomen starting defenders, left to right, Owen Reinhart, Jaden Fisher, and Nick Caciolo surround a Wilson running back  during Saturday's scrimmage.

help provide an offensive spark.

            Hontz is hopeful the 6-foot senior running back/linebacker will be physically available for the Indians when they open the 2019 season at 7 p.m. Friday against visiting Boyertown.

            The player continues to deal with soreness and irritation from a pulled hamstring. Reid said the injury, which he suffered during the track season, has not fully recovered.

            "Depending how this week of practice goes, I could possibly see some time on the field Friday," he wrote in a text Monday afternoon.

            Last season, a series of hamstring and knee issues forced Reid to miss four games, according to the coach. However, the player excelled during the final two games. In a 21-20 victory over Pottstown he ran for 173 yards, accumulated 114 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns. The following week, Reid ran for 42 yards and a score on 12 carries to help the team post a 35-8 victory over the visiting Bears.

            "It's no coincidence that Tyrese played and we won," Hontz said or Reid, who finished the season with 420 yards and six touchdowns on 77 carries in six games. "We need to keep him healthy."

            The offense will also rely heavily on quarterback Hunter Flack. The 5-foot-11 junior, a second-year starter, has made significant strides as a passer after working with Zeke Hallman, a volunteer assistant, according to the coach.

            "Hunter does a good job throwing on the run," Hontz said. "His accuracy is solid. He's an athlete. Having someone like him in that position is very important. Hopefully we can provide some other offensive weapons for him."

            Logan Simmon, a 5-foot-8 sophomore, is expected to start the season as Reid's backup. According to the coach, Simmon – who played for Perkiomen School last season – added 35 to 40 pounds.

            "Logan is very fast and very physical," Hontz said.

            Senior Andrew Carducci and juniors Malachi Duka and Corey Jackson, along with tight end Brady Thompson, should be among Flack's favored passing targets. The coaching staff flirted with the idea of moving Thompson – who started as a ninth grader – to fullback, but they determined he was too valuable as a receiver and blocker, according to Hontz. The coach said Jackson – a tall, athletic receiver – has made significant strides during summer practice.

            The offensive line – which will average approximately 190 pounds – will feature junior Riley Decker, a three-year starter at left tackle, and senior Owen Reinhart, the returning starter at center. Ethan Wambold, a junior, and sophomore Daman Faraco will start at right and left guard, respectively. According to the coach, Wambold and Faraco have worked religiously to build their bodies in the weight room since February.

            On defense, the Indians defense will rely on multiple two-way players such as Decker (defensive end), Reinhart and Duka (linebacker), Carducci and Reid (cornerback) and Simmon (safety). Gordon Pardy, a junior, and senior Jaden Fisher will anchor the interior defensive line as part of its 4-4 alignment.

            "Jaden is fast and athletic," the coach said. "Gordon is showing some real good stuff in camp."

            Junior Hunter Sottung is expected to start at defensive end. Classmate J.T. Traynor will line up at outside linebacker.