A 21-point first-quarter deficit is tough enough to deal with during the regular season. Add on the fact it's the District 1 5A playoffs, and the difficulty level increases exponentially. 

            But that's exactly what Upper Perkiomen's No. 10-seeded football team had to

Jacob Pedrick carries the ball against Garnet Valley during the District One Class A playoffs.

contend with against Garnet Valley last week. The No. 7 seeded Jaguars needed just seven offensive plays, and less than three minutes of clock, to rack up three quick scores.

            To their credit, the visiting Indians cut their deficit to one score in the third quarter. However, they couldn't avoid a season-ending 49-35 loss.

            "A 21-point deficit that early is every reason for most teams to tuck their tails and quit," Tribe head coach Dan Heinrichs said. "That's not our seniors or our team. We went to work every drive making small adjustments but unfortunately never regained the lead. We started slow defensively and did not win the battle up front."

            Upper Perkiomen, down 21-0 with 5:37 left in the first quarter and 28-7 at the start of the second quarter, continued to battle. Kane Krier's 37-yard TD catch out of the backfield with 1:44 left in the opening quarter started the team's scoring. A 14-yard completion by Benjamin Sands to Krier, on third-and-three near midfield, highlighted the drive.

            Sabo, a junior, delivered one of his more productive outings of the season. He completed 16-of-25 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and interception. On the ground, he rushed 10 times for 39 yards and four touchdowns. His favorite target Tucker Ruch pulled in six passes for 46 yards. Sands had four catches that spanned 53 yards and Krier added three grabs for 62 yards.

            Down 28-7 after the first quarter, the Indians mounted their rally late in the second. Sabo's 8-yard TD run capped off a 73-yard, 18-play drive that spanned 10 minutes and featured four successful third-down conversions. The quarterback delivered the longest conversion, an 11-yard run by on third-and-nine from his own 28-yard line.

            Garnet Valley (8-3) opened up the lead to 35-14 three plays later. However, the Tribe answered with a one-yard sneak by Sabo to make it 35-21 to end the half. Krier fueled the drive with a 24-yard reception on third-and-nine. Sabo followed by a key 11-yard pass to Ruch, and back-to-back 17- and 16-yard receptions to Sands that advanced the ball to the Jaguars' 1-yard line for Sabo's TD push.

            With some momentum, the Indians received the second-half kickoff and cashed in on another one-yard sneak from Sabo to get within 35-28. Brody Weiss, who led the Indians on the ground with 107 yards on 16 carries, rushed for 17 yards on a counter to set up Sabo's scoring run.

            Tribe kicker Matthew Wood executed a textbook onside kick that was recovered by Jacob Pedrick, however, a holding penalty stalled the ensuing drive. Sabo completed a pass on a fake punt that would have extended the drive, but an ineligible man downfield call negated the play on fourth-and-12.

            The Indians forced Garnet Valley to punt on the next series, thanks to a tackle for a loss from Ethan Scharneck and a tackle for no gain by Murray Smith. However, they couldn't take advantage, and were forced to punt the ball away with less than two minutes left in the third quarter.

            The Jaguars secured their victory with a pair of fourth-quarter scores. Sabo's nine-yard TD run with less than a minute remaining capped the scoring.

            "I was proud of the way we just put our heads down and kept working," Heinrichs said. "Nobody in blue and gold quit. Obviously not the start anyone plans for but one you have to fight very hard consistently to overcome."

            Senior Zane Saeger was busy on defense, leading the team with 10 tackles, including one for a loss. Weiss, his classmate, made nine stops from his spot at linebacker. Dylan Bieber and Nate Schramm both had four total tackles apiece.

            The Tribe ends its season with a 7-4 record, including a 5-0 mark in the Pioneer Athletic Conference's Frontier Division. The team earned its spot in the PAC title game and accomplished its goal of playing a meaningful playoff game in November.

            "Pride and grit come to mind when I think of our seniors and our football team," Heinrichs said. "We overcame so many types of adversity from losing five starters at one time and having guys step up all over the field. Moving positions and taking what the team needed and making it their priority. Distractions and negativity outside of our locker room never affected how we operate.

            "This season was special because of the guys who wore helmets. My staff and I are extremely proud of them and feel blessed to have been able to call them our players."

            NOTES: The Indians last faced Garnet Valley in 2006 during the playoffs under head coach Keith Leamer. The Jaguars won 35-7 on their way to the District One 3A title. Their current coaching staff includes former Boyertown standout running back Marc Panepinto, the team's defensive coordinator, and a 16-season member of the staff.