Despite graduating most of its starters from last season, expectations for Upper Perkiomen's football team remain high. Head coach Dan Heinrichs expressed a determination to continue to grow the program.

            "This season will be a big test for me and my staff," he said.

Aaron Maiden runs behind Corbin Engle Monday during  Upper Perkiomen's practice.  The team opens its season Friday against Boyertown.

            The Indians, who open their fourth season under Heinrichs on the road against Boyertown at 7 p.m. Friday, will look to return to the Pioneer Athletic Conference title game and the District One Class 5A playoffs. According to the coach, a victory in district playoffs – after qualifying the previous two seasons – would signify progress.

            The Tribe, who shocked the conference by winning the Frontier Division title last season with 17 seniors, won't be able to sneak up on any opponents this season.

            Grayson Sabo, a strong-armed quarterback, will lead the offense. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior, who suffered an arm injury playing baseball during the summer, will be ready to take on the Bears on their new turf field, according to Heinrichs. The coach said Sabo has garnered interest from multiple Division I coaches as a pocket quarterback "with a big arm and a willingness to do what it takes to win."

             Home spectators will get their initial look at the team's dual-threat offense next week. Upper Perkiomen will play at Keeny Stadium on consecutive Thursdays against Fleetwood (Sept. 3) and West Chester East (Sept. 10).

            The unit – led by Casey Perlstein, its third offensive coordinator in four seasons – has implemented a new blocking scheme as part of its running game, according to Heinrichs. Senior Zach Adam, who ran for 870 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and sophomore Corbin Engle, who averaged 4.29 yards on 17 carries as a ninth grader, could get the bulk of the carries early on.

            The head coach described the wide receiver corps of Aaron Maiden, Ethan Zola, Liam Weiss and Benjamin Sands – who will operate in the slot – as the best of his tenure.

            Heinrichs predicted that Maiden will attract double coverage. He also described tight end Nathan Schramm as tough to tackle with the ball.

            Dylan Marshall and Cael Martin, a pair of seniors, will anchor the offensive line. Marshall, the left guard, has made approximately 40 career starts. Martin, the center, earned first-team All-Frontier Division honors last season.

            Their classmate, Gabriel Good, will start at left tackle after missing his junior season due to an injury. Carter Zola, a senior, and sophomore Gage Trimbur will anchor the right side.  Zola – the right guard – started last season. Trimbur, the right tackle, made a handful of starts and played in every game last season.

            Braeden O'Donnell and Schramm will anchor the Indians' defense. Heinrichs described them as the top edge players in the conference.

            Maiden could also play a key role in the defensive backfield, according to the coach. He said the 6-foot-1, 180-pound free safety intercepted four passes in a scrimmage against Northampton on Saturday, Aug. 22.

            Estrela Kubola, a senior defensive tackle, will be expected to plug up the opposition's interior running game. Three other young players rotate into the position, while O'Donnell and Schramm could also move inside, according to Heinrichs.

            Four or five inexperienced linebackers will likely receive snaps against Boyertown. Benjamin Sands and Jacob Pedrick should get the initial chance to play at cornerback.

            "We need to start fast," the coach said. "The first game is always a whirlwind."