POTTSTOWN >> Before kickoff on Friday night, a fireworks display illuminated Grigg Memorial Field in Pottstown.
Once the game started, the visiting Pottsgrove offense made sure to continue the celebration.
Mikhi Dargan rushed for 291 yards and four touchdowns, adding another score on a 19-yard reception as Pottsgrove went to 5-1, defeating their crosstown rivals from Pottstown 40-0.
Dargan’s scores came from as far as 69 yards out as the Falcons scored on five of their first six drives en route to a 33-0 halftime advantage.
“Great blocking, great play all around,” said Dargan. “I have to thank all of them – my linemen, quarterback, my fullbacks, and the defense for getting us the ball back so quickly.”
Indeed, the Falcons defense forced two turnovers in pitching the shutout. Chase Wiley had an interception while senior Cam Waller led the way with two quarterback sacks.
“Our defensive line held up, the defensive backs made plays,” said Waller.
Pottsgrove substituted liberally on offense in the late going, but Waller played every snap on defense.
“I’m pushing my team, making sure everyone’s heads up,” he said. “As a captain, it’s important to push everybody.”
The old adage that “there’s no substitute for experience” proved itself again throughout the contest.
Both sides were flagged repeatedly on a damp evening, but Pottstown’s miscues were costlier in the long run.
An early interception set up Dargan’s first touchdown from 31 yards out, and Pottstown gained traction offensively behind the combination of QB Cole Boyles and WR Ikeem Wolloh.
But a long connection was called back for holding, and after Deymein Doctor doubled Pottsgrove’s lead with a 59-yard touchdown catch from Chase Hawthorne, Wolloh’s 77-yard kickoff return for a would-be touchdown was cancelled by an illegal block.
But there was no stopping the Pottsgrove offense before halftime, however, as the Falcons amassed 577 total yards. Dargan was the headliner, but QB Chase Hawthorne also connected on seven of 10 passes for 180 yards and the two scores to Doctor and Dargan.
Kevin Robinson added 86 yards, mostly in the second half.
Meanwhile, the young Pottstown squad dropped to 1-5 (0-2 PAC Frontier) on the season, as coach Levert Hughes continues to learn more about who and what he has to build around.
The talent is there, now the Trojans just need the depth and experience as a complement.
Last season saw Pottstown return to the District playoffs for the first time in the recent era, but graduations ravaged the skill positions to the point that the Trojans don’t field a single player who scored a point in 2023.
Fortunately, it’s not an unfamiliar role for Hughes, who took over the job in 2022 following two winless seasons. Two years later, he had the Trojans in the playoffs.
But the schedule gets no easier from here, as the Trojans host Phoenixville next week before traveling to Pope John Paul II.
Wolloh was a bright spot offensively (four catches, 65 yards) with Tyson Robbins adding a long reception before halftime. Robbins also turned in what might have been the play of the night, running down Dargan at the five-yard line after a 70-yard carry at the end of the third quarter.
But one play later, Dargan pounded across the goal line for his fifth score of the night, invoking the running clock at 40-0.
Dargan, a junior, spent most of last year backing up All-Area performer Bryce Caffrey, and this year wears the graduated Caffrey’s familiar No. 1. On Friday night, he showed that the number is synonymous with playmakers in the Falcons’ offense.
“Bryce taught me about leadership, teamwork – he was a team player no matter the score of how he’s playing individually,” said Dargan.
At 5-1 (2-0 PAC Frontier), the Falcons are ready to prove they belong in the Frontier Division, in Waller’s opinion. They’ll get that opportunity next week when they host defending champions Pope John Paul II at Pennypacker Field.
“I think we’re gonna need a great week of practice,” he summarized. “Everybody needs to be locked in – I’ll make sure of that.”
BOX SCORE
Pottsgrove 40, Pottstown 0
Pottsgrove — 13 20 0 7 — 40
Pottstown — 0 0 0 0 — 0
SCORING PLAYS
PG — Dargan 31 run (Gondos kick)
PG — Doctor 59 pass from Hawthorne (Gondos kick)
PG — Dargan 69 run (run failed)
PG — Dargan 15 run (Gondos kick)
PG — Dargan 19 pass from Hawthorne (Gondos kick)
PG — Dargan 5 run (Gondos kick)
TEAM STATISTICS
PG PT
First Downs 20 9
Rushing Yards 387 42
Passing Yards 180 131
Total Yards 567 173
Passes C-A-I 7-11-0 8-21-1
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 3-1
Penalties-Yards 8-70 6-45
Punts-Avg. 1-30 4-37
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Pottsgrove – Dargan 14-291; 4 TD, Robinson 7-86, Sclafford 5-18, Hawthorne 4-(minus-19), Mayes 1-6, Rivera 1-5.
Pottstown – K. Thomas 15-39, Boyles 9-20, Pugh 2-(minus-4), Team 1-(minus-13).
Passing
Pottsgrove – Hawthorne 7-10, 180 yards, 2 TD; Milone 0-1.
Pottstown – Boyles 8-21, 131 yards, INT.
Receiving
Pottsgrove – Doctor 2-101; TD, Waller 2-51, Sambrick 2-9, Dargan 1-19; TD.
Pottstown – Wolloh 4-65, Robbins 3-64, Majors 1-2.
Sacks: Pottsgrove – Waller 2, Fuentes.
Pottstown – Allen 2, Talan.
Interceptions: Pottsgrove – Wiley.
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