Boone – Berks Sports Report

Rob Flowers Resigns

Paul Roberts — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:31:00 +0000

Rob Flowers is stepping down as the head coach of the Daniel Boone football team. Flowers is proud of what he was able to accomplish in Birdsboro. “I love what we were able to do for our five years here at Daniel Boone. We opened up minds and hearts through love,” said Flowers. He guided the Blazers to a (5-4) record in 2021. They made their first appearance in the District 3 playoffs since 2014. Daniel Boone struggled in Section 3 of the expanded Lancaster-Lebanon League this year. The Blazers finished (2-8, 1-5). They ended a 6-game losing streak by beating Fleetwood 35-8 in their season finale. There were 18 seniors on Daniel Boone’s roster. Flowers went (17-31) over his five years in Birdsboro.

Flowers told me that he’s not done coaching, but his next opportunity will have to be the right fit. Before taking over the Blazers’ football program, Flowers served as the head coach at Reading High for seven seasons. He added that he wants to focus on his role as Director of Community Relations and Equity Awareness in the Daniel Boone School District.

Flowers was a standout quarterback at Muhlenberg. He was part of the Muhls’ 1998 team that won eleven games and an I-C League championship. Flowers played professionally for the Reading Express and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. He led the Express to the AIFA title that season. Flowers is currently an assistant basketball coach at Hamburg High School.

Rob Flowers-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 15:40:00 +0000

It wasn’t the season that they hoped for, but the Blazers went out on a high note. Daniel Boone blew out Fleetwood 35-8 in its season finale. The Blazers led 35-0 at halftime. They outgained the Tigers 409-245 in total yards and snapped a 6-game losing streak. “It was great to end with a big win for these guys. It was big for us just to send these seniors out the right way. It was so important,” said head coach Rob Flowers. Dean Rotter threw for 145 yards and 2TD. The 6’0, 180-pound junior did more damage with his legs. He ran for 181 yards on just six carries. “Dean has turned into a really good football player, especially when he started to play defense a little bit more. Dean understands what he can and can’t do,” noted Flowers. Rotter passed for 1,208 yards with ten touchdowns and eight interceptions. His top two wide receivers, Max Heffner and Anthony High, will also return next year. They’re both sophomores. Heffner reeled in a team-high 32 receptions for 495 yards and a score. High added 23 catches. The 6’0, 205-pounder made three trips to the end zone. Ethan Kryman is another skill position player who will be back in 2023. The 5’8, 175-pound junior ran for 529 yards and 4TD. Kryman had a 26-yard touchdown grab at Fleetwood. “He just works hard [on] both sides of the ball. He’s able to produce and perform at a high level,” stated Flowers. Kryman averaged 4.5 yards per carry. The (2-8, 1-5) Blazers averaged 18 points while allowing 30 per contest. Flowers wrapped up his fifth year in Birdsboro. He’s known as a high-energy coach. I asked him how he remained optimistic during a frustrating season. He replied, “One of the things that we have to make sure we’re always doing is taking care of our young men; taking care of their minds, taking care of their bodies [and] taking care of their hearts. When you’re losing, that becomes more and more difficult to do.” Daniel Boone won five games a season ago and reached the District 3 playoffs. This was their first season in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Solanco went undefeated to capture the Section 3 championship. Elizabethtown and Garden Spot ended up tied for second place with (4-2) league records. The Blazers also competed with Ephrata, Twin Valley, and Fleetwood. Flowers thought Section 3 was balanced after Solanco. We talked about a potential Solanco-Exeter matchup in the District 3-5A playoffs. They’re the top two seeds in that classification. Flowers also revealed his favorite Halloween candy.

Nate Millard-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 20:03:00 +0000

Berks County has become known for producing quality high school kickers. There’s a really good one in Birdsboro this season. Nate Millard nailed a 46-yard field goal at Garden Spot in Week 3. That kick tied the school record. He told me that he made a 60-yard field goal in practice! Millard explained how he prepares for a long attempt. He also talked about the difference between kicking on grass and turf. I asked Millard if kickers deserve more respect. He gave a very thoughtful answer. The 5’10 senior was a second team All-County punter last year. He’s looking forward to taking on Gov. Mifflin this Friday night in Shillington. The Mustangs are the top-ranked team in the state in Class 5A. I also learned who Millard’s favorite teachers are at Daniel Boone. His favorite class may surprise you.

Ryan Souder-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 21:30:00 +0000

Ryan Souder may not be the biggest middle linebacker at 5’8 and 166 pounds, but the junior is always around the football. Souder is Daniel Boone’s leading tackler and a returning starter. The Blazers are on a roll, winning five of their last six games. They’re #10 in the District 3-5A power rankings. The top 14 teams will qualify which Souder said would mean a lot to his teammates. Souder told me that sophomore QB Dean Rotter has really stepped up. Rotter is completing 62% of his passes with 12TD and 2INT. I asked Souder if he ever saw a better one-handed TD catch than the one Alex Vassallo made last week vs. Reading. He replied, “maybe in the NFL.” Souder is looking forward to getting a shot against Nick Singleton and the undefeated Gov. Mifflin Mustangs on Friday in Shillington. Singleton has a Berks County record 101 career TD’s! I found out that Souder is a huge movie fan, but until recently he had never watched any of the Star Wars films. You’ll hear about his favorite all-time movies.

Brian Hollis-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 20:13:00 +0000

The key to a good running game is the offensive line. Experience and size always help the cause. Daniel Boone has a three-year starter at right tackle in Brian Hollis. The 6’1, 295-pound senior loves when the Blazers pound the rock. He has helped senior RB A.J. Hofer run for 773 yards, fifth-best in Berks County. Hofer is averaging nearly six yards per carry. He rumbled for 140 yards and 2TD last week against Reading. Hollis told me about the energy that head coach Rob Flowers brings to the team. Flowers is in his 4th season in Birdsboro. Hollis knows that beating Gov. Mifflin won’t be easy on Friday, but he’s confident in his teammates. The Mustangs are ranked #1 in the state in Class 5A. Hollis also talked about what he likes to do to relax off of the field. Daniel Boone is (5-3) overall and (2-1) in Section 1 of the Berks Football League.

Alex Vassallo-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 19:35:00 +0000

One of the best plays this season in Berks County happened last Friday night. Blazers’ WR/DB Alex Vassallo made an INCREDIBLE one-handed touchdown catch in a (35-0) victory over Reading. We spent some time looking back on that reception which Vassallo said is the best of his career. The 177-pound senior was a second team All-County wide receiver last year. He’s second in the Berks Football League in catches this season with 44 including 5TD. Vassallo talked about the improvement of sophomore QB Dean Rotter who took over for an injured Carter Speyerer in Week 1. We discussed the importance of having a balanced offense. The (5-3) Blazers are on the road against undefeated Gov. Mifflin this Friday. Vassallo told me that the biggest key for Daniel Boone will be on the defensive side of the ball. Plus, an update on his fantasy football team.

Rob Flowers-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 18:58:00 +0000

Rob Flowers always seems to be in a great mood. His team has won five of its last six games so there’s definitely a lot of positive energy in Birdsboro these days. The (5-3) Blazers visit unbeaten Gov. Mifflin on Friday. As you probably guessed, Flowers is very excited about the challenge of facing the Mustangs. He told me what his defense has to do to try and slow down Nick Singleton. Flowers said the PSU commit is one of the top three running backs in Berks County history. He compared Singleton to Adrian Peterson. Just for fun, I decided to stir up a little family feud. I asked Flowers if he was a better high school player than his cousin and assistant coach Pete Gilmore. You don’t want to miss his answer! Flowers led Muhlenberg to an I-C League championship in 1998.

Rob Flowers-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 21:53:00 +0000

It’s hard to find a more positive person than Blazers’ head coach Rob Flowers. He explained to me where that energy comes from and why it’s even stronger now. He also got a chance to respond to his brother’s bold statements in a previous interview with me, haha! Flowers discussed the devastating injury to senior QB Carter Speyerer in Week 1, and how the team has bounced back. Daniel Boone defeated Garden Spot 45-17 last week. Sophomore Dean Rotter threw for 252 yards and 4TD. Flowers said his offensive line, which averages 265 pounds, had a great game. We also talked about competing in Section 1 of the Berks Football League, and the benefits of yoga for football players. Flowers was a star QB at Muhlenberg. He led the Muhls to 11 wins in 1998 and an I-C League championship. Flowers guided the Reading Express to the 2009 AIFA title.

Dean Rotter-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 20:53:00 +0000

The Blazers lost senior QB Carter Speyerer in Week 1. The three-year starter suffered a broken right ankle vs. Wyomissing. Enter Dean Rotter; a 5’11, 160-pound sophomore. All the lefty did last week at Garden Spot was go 13-16 for 252 yards and 4TD! Rotter told me that Speyerer is “like a brother to me.” Rotter gave a lot of credit to his huge offensive line, and mentioned who the biggest eater is on the team. The sophomore loves playing for head coach Rob Flowers. Rotter also loves playing Madden NFL. He claims to be the best player in the state! We also talked about which teammate he would not want to go up against on the field.

A.J. Hofer-Daniel Boone

Paul Roberts — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 20:22:00 +0000

A.J. Hofer rumbled for 119 yards and a TD on 24 carries last week at Garden Spot. The Blazers put up 38 points in the first half. They ended up with a 45-17 win. The 6’1, 195-pound senior was a second team RB in Section 1 of the Berks Football League last season. I asked Hofer who the toughest and funniest players are on this year’s squad. He said yoga has been very beneficial for the team. We also discussed his favorite NFL RB’s, and a funny story about his black eye. Plus, who the best video game player is at Daniel Boone. For a hard-nosed RB/LB, Hofer is one of the most polite players that I’ve interviewed.