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Springfield (Delco) Holds Off Upper Perkiomen In Nailbiter

 
Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 14, 2026

TJ Valetti finds the end zone twice in win over Upper Perk

The Springfield Cougars took down the Upper Perkiomen Indians in round two of the District One 5A playoffs on Friday by a final score of 22-17.

Here were my thoughts before the game

Springfield received the opening kick and began piecing together a nice drive on their first offensive possession, but it ultimately came to an end just a few plays later when the Cougars fumbled on a rush. The fumble was recovered by Upper Perk and the Indians took over in Springfield territory.

Upper Perkiomen took advantage of the fumble recovery with a 33-yard field goal from Brody Lash, giving Upper Perk a 3-0 lead with under 4 minutes to go in the first quarter.

Coming off the field goal, Springfield was looking for a good offensive drive to regain their momentum and get right back in the game. Instead, the exact opposite happened: the Cougars fumbled and gave the ball right back to Upper Perkiomen. Just plays after the forced fumble, Upper Perk found the end zone. Grayson Sabo launched a perfect deep ball right into the hands of Liam Weiss for the touchdown. The Indians now led 10-0 with 8 seconds left in the quarter.

A lot can happen in eight seconds. With just seconds left on the clock, Michael DePetris found wide-open space down the sideline and took it himself for a big-play touchdown as the first-quarter buzzer sounded. DePetris’s touchdown put Springfield down 10-8 heading into the second quarter.

Upper Perkiomen did not answer back after the Springfield touchdown, instead turning it over on downs and giving the Cougars a chance at yet another score.  A few plays after the drive began for Springfield, they ended it off with a bang. TJ Valetti broke free off the screen pass for a big score to put the Cougars in front 15-10 with 7:54 left in the first half.

On the very next drive, Upper Perk got nothing rolling and was forced to punt the ball away once more. With just minutes left in the first half, Springfield drove and picked up solid yardage, inching closer to the goal line.  Springfield capped off the drive with yet another TJ Valetti score, this time rushing. With 2:31 left to go in the first half, Springfield was leading Upper Perkiomen 22-10.

Upper Perkiomen fumbled on their next drive, which was followed up by a turnover on downs for the UP defense and then an interception thrown within the zone with under 1 minute left in the first half.

At the half, Springfield led Upper Perkiomen 22-10.

To start the second half, Upper Perkiomen immediately punted and handed it over to the Springfield offense. Springfield’s drive lasted the majority of the third quarter. Thankfully for Upper Perkiomen, they were able to get a big fourth-down stop and got the ball back heading into the fourth quarter.

Upper Perkiomen ate up the majority of the fourth quarter time, using multiple plays and conversions to drive the Indians downfield before the offense crossed the goal line for a touchdown. Aaron Maiden had the big reception that put Upper Perk down 22-17.

Upper Perkiomen got a big stop against the Springfield offense and forced a punt, giving the Indians just enough time to drive down the field and score.  Springfield’s defensive line was too dominant and stuffed Upper Perkiomen, forcing a turnover on downs and guaranteeing a victory for the Cougars.

Springfield and John Hopkins went into victory formation and knelt out the rest of the clock. Springfield will now take on Great Valley next week at Springfield.

Here were my thoughts after the game

After the game I caught up with Springfield QB John Hopkins

 

 

 

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