The wins keep getting bigger for Upper Perkiomen's football team. And none perhaps was bigger in the last 30 years than a 23-16 road victory over Pope John Paul II last weekend.

            The Indians (4-2 overall, 2-0 PAC) defensive secondary sparked the victory on

Logan O'Donnell, right, exends to make catch last week.   Upper Perkiomen upset Pope John Paull II on Fri., Sept. 26.

Friday, Sept. 26 in Royersford, handing the opposition its first Frontier Division loss in seven years. Their defense also forced and recovered a fumble, and special teams executed a successful onside kick to start the second half, culminating in a 40-yard field goal.

            "The win was an amazing milestone for our program," Tribe head coach Dan Heinrichs said. "As a staff and team, having multiple guys step up at different positions makes all the difference. I was more proud of how we fought than the result. I know that sounds cliché but the way our players handled themselves was the mature football team we were hoping to see."

           Upper Perkiomen's offense used a steady diet of the run game but came up with big pass plays when needed to post its first victory over the Golden Panthers (5-1, 1-1) in the series since 2014. The team rushed for 72 yards and passed for 106 yard and one touchdown behind the efforts of junior quarterback Grayson Sabo, who completed 6-of-13 passes.

            In a game that saw the lead change hands four times, PJP knotted the score, 16-16, with 6:19 left in regulation on a 28-yard field goal. However, the Indians responded with the winning score on their next possession.

            Zach Adam (12 carries, 49 yards, TD) delivered the decisive touchdown on a 25-yard run off left tackle with 3 minutes, 41 seconds remaining. A 32-yard completion from Sabo to Aaron Maiden set up the score.

            On PJP's next drive, the defense got a boost with a tackle for a loss from Zane Saeger (two tackles for a loss, pass break-up), then followed with a back-breaking interception by Tucker Ruch on third-and-13.

           The Tribe went three-and-out on its final offensive series to give the Panthers possession with 39 seconds left on their own 29. However, they couldn't advance beyond midfield.

            "Until the clock hit zeros, that game was up for grabs," Heinrichs said.

            Upper Perkion's secondary was led by Ruch, who broke up three passes to go along with his interception. Logan O'Donnell notched a an interception a pass break-up, a tackle for a loss and three solo tackles. Other key secondary contributors included Saeger, Maiden and Benjamin Sands.

            "We have great secondary coaches and leadership," Heinrichs said. "That's a dangerous combination. Both of our safeties flew up and stuffed the run and our corners covered phenomenally. All four defensive backs and our outside linebackers played lights out."

            The defense also got standout efforts from ends Ethan Scharneck and Nate Schramm. Scharneck recorded a sack, fumble recovery and a pair of solo stops and Schramm had a strip sack in the first quarter.

            Despite the final flurry, the game actually got off to a slow start. After a scoreless first quarter, Upper Perkiomen got on the board early in the second quarter as O'Donnell picked off a pass on fourth-and-3 on Upper Perkiomen's 21 and returned it to PJP's 9-yard line. Brody Weiss went off left tackle for a nine-yard score three plays later to give the Indians the early 6-0 lead.

            PJP regained the lead nine seconds later, when Zahaid Edwards-Boone returned the ensuing kickoff 69 yards to the end zone to put his team ahead 7-6.

            Down a point at halftime, the Tribe opened with a successful onside kick that led to a 40-yard field goal from Matthew Wood. Big plays on the drive included a 17-yard run from Adam and an 11-yard completion to Kane Krier on third-and-10.

            The Panthers responded on their next drive, grabbed their final lead of the night. A 10-yard scoring pass put them ahead 13-9 with 4:18 left in the third quarter.

            Early in the fourth quarter, Sabo found Scharneck in the back of the end zone for a 28-yard score on a play-action pass to put the Indians ahead, 16-13, before Adam's late score sealed the deal.

            The Tribe will go for its third straight victory against Upper Merion during Homecoming at 7 p.m. Friday. The Vikings are 1-5 overall, 1-1 in the Frontier Division after losing a 28-27 heartbreaker to Phoenixville last week. They defeated Pottstown 26-6 on Sept. 19.

            "You work for a target on your back," Heinrichs said. "It's something you strive for. Once it's there, we have to understand that dynamic and take every opponent seriously. It's a mental game from here on out and our work every day is that much more important."

            The Indians received a nomination for the Small School Mr. Football Team of the Week after the win. Winners are determined by a fan vote at https://mrpafootball.com/. Votes for the Small School category will be accepted through 11 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2.