Members of the Upper Perkiomen Middle School football team celebrate their 16-game unbeaten streak.

            Upper Perkiomen's Middle School football team ended its third consecutive season without a loss last week with an overwhelming performance against Boyertown Middle School West. The team scored eight touchdowns and allowed just one first down.

            Dominance has emerged as a key component of the Indians' three-year, 16-game unbeaten streak. They ended the 2022 season with a 49-0 victory over the Bears on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Bill Keeny Stadium.

            In six victories this season, the Tribe's eighth-grade team recorded three shutouts, averaged 35.8 points per game and allowed just 20 points. None of those points were scored against its first-string defense.

            "I'm a little surprised with this level of success," said head coach Ben Kunkle, a high school math teacher who has never lost a game in his three seasons leading the team. "It's exciting and fun."

            Kunkle said the goal is to develop players for the high school program while trying to win. The Indians, who lost a significant number of starters to graduation, were not challenged this season.

            They opened the season with a 28-6 victory over Upper Merion on Sept. 27. The following week, they rolled to a 35-0 win over Owen J. Roberts.

            On Oct. 11, UPMS posted a 27-8 victory over Perkiomen Valley. One week later, the Indians scored a season-high in points in a 49-6 win over Boyertown Middle School East.

            Numbers remain strong for the Indians, who ended the season with 58 players dressed in their final game. Kunkle says he wonders how long the student interest can last.  "Winning helps drive up those numbers," he said. "It's fun to be part of something positive."

            The Tribe ended its season with a pair of shutouts. First, it rolled to a 27-0 road victory over Pottsgrove on Oct. 25. Last week, the team played its most complete game of the season against Boyertown West.

            Upper Perkiomen scored on its initial five possessions against the visiting Bears. Quarterback Aaron Maiden threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter and ran for a third in the second quarter.

            The eighth grader connected with Benjamin Sands for a 65-yard score on the first play from scrimmage. He added a 38-yard TD toss to Darius Reid midway through the second quarter.

            Zachary Adam ran for 116 yards and a touchdown on just six carries for the Indians. Maiden (48 points) and Adam (44) led the team in scoring. Maiden threw for seven touchdowns and ran for six more. Adam ran for seven scores and added a two-point conversion.

            Grayson Sabo finished with 21 points, including seven points after touchdowns. Six others -- Asher Thickening, Christopher Onmeno, Braedon O'Donnell, JaZire Barrow, Sean Murray and Nathan Schramm – reached the end zone.

            Kahle Godshall's 39-yard interception return for a touchdown with 90 seconds remaining capped a stellar defensive season for the Tribe. Besides permitting just 3.3 points per game, it forced 14 turnovers. Estrela Kubola recovered a team-high two fumbles, and Maiden added a fumble return for a touchdown.

            On the field, the team stresses fundamentals, according to Kunkle. He said the offensive line receives a significant amount of focus from the coaching staff.  "Fortunately the guys on the line have soaked up a lot of what they needed to do," the coach said. "We've made sure that the running backs and wide receivers appreciate what those guys do."

            Off the field, the coaching staff works to develop the players' communication skills and their football foundation. Kunkle said the team held an annual football family group to discuss the game and build relationships.

            "The kids are very coachable," the coach said. "Their academics are really good. And their parents have been very supportive."