Colby Crills-Schuylkill Valley

With 17 returning starters, Schuylkill Valley is hoping to make some noise in Section 5 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The Panthers have nine starters back on the offensive side of the football including wide receiver Colby Crills. The 5’10, 175-pound junior led the team in receptions a season ago with 21. He scored three touchdowns. Crills was named a second team WR and DB in Section 2 of the Berks Football League. He told me that the chemistry on this year’s squad is outstanding. “We have a great brotherhood with this team. This group of guys we have get along very well in football and outside of football. We’re always hanging out with each other,” Crills said. Schuylkill Valley racked up 398 yards in its season opener against Twin Valley. The Panthers committed five turnovers and lost 39-12. Schuylkill Valley was also hurt by ten penalties. Michael Goad went 19-of-31 for 218 yards. Crills called the 5’11 senior quarterback the smartest player on the team. They have a really good QB-WR relationship. “It’s absolutely amazing. He’s such a leader. He helps us on and off the field all the time,” Crills stated. Luke Spotts, a 6’1 sophomore, reeled in six catches for 94 yards versus Twin Valley. Junior Dominic Giuffre ran for 144 yards and two scores on 15 carries. Crills is excited about the merger with the L-L League. He replied, “I think it’s going to be great for our team. I think playing teams that are more our size and competitiveness will really get our guys fired up.” Section 5 is comprised of Hamburg, Kutztown, Lancaster Catholic, Northern Lebanon, Annville-Cleona, Columbia, and Pequea Valley. The Panthers have another non-league matchup this Friday. They travel to Upper Perkiomen, a team that lost 61-0 to Boyertown last week. Crills is a catcher on the baseball team. He enjoys being a multi-sport athlete. “I think the most important thing is the conditioning in football really gets me going for baseball,” he noted. Crills is a huge Phillies fan. We also talked about his favorite teachers, sports movie, and food. Schuylkill Valley’s roster has increased from 39 to 56 in Year 2 of the Bruce Harbach era. There are 18 freshmen on the squad. Despite the Week 1 result, there are reasons to be optimistic in Leesport.