Experienced Phoenixville Group Ready to Turn Last Season’s Lessons Into Progress
Phoenixville enters the 2026 season with a young roster that no longer lacks varsity experience.
The Phantoms finished 3-7 in 2025, but the season provided valuable playing time for a large group of first-year varsity contributors. Ten players saw their first significant varsity action, and most of them return with a better understanding of the speed, physicality and preparation required at this level.
Head coach Anthony Ciarlello believes that experience can become the foundation for improvement.
“Having ten first-year varsity players on the field last season gave us invaluable experience,” the coaching staff said. “With the majority of those players returning, our future is bright.”
Phoenixville must replace quarterback Mike Venizia, center Christopher Potuznik, tackle Cameron English, tight end Patrick Carey and kicker Ryan Jacobson. However, the Phantoms return experience along both lines and bring back several young athletes who were forced into important roles earlier than expected.
The central question is whether last year’s growing pains can become this year’s strength.
Learning From a Challenging Season
Phoenixville opened the 2025 season with a convincing 28-6 victory over Reading before dropping three consecutive nonleague games.
The Phantoms found success during Pioneer Athletic Conference Frontier Division play, earning a one-point victory over Upper Merion and defeating Pottstown, 34-8.
Phoenixville also came within three points of Upper Perkiomen before closing the season with losses to Pottsgrove and Boyertown.
The 3-7 record was disappointing, but the coaching staff gained a clearer picture of the program’s younger talent.
Those players now enter the season with meaningful experience rather than learning everything for the first time.
New Quarterback Must Lead the Transition
Replacing Venizia will be one of the most important priorities during preseason camp.
The Phantoms need a quarterback who can manage the offense, protect the football and provide leadership for a young group of skill players.
Phoenixville returns enough experience around the position to make the transition manageable.
The offensive line brings back several starters, while the backfield and receiving corps contain multiple athletes who gained varsity experience last season.
The new quarterback will not need to carry the entire offense. Consistent decisions, efficient execution and steady improvement will be more important than immediate big numbers.
Howard Brings Experience to Backfield
Running back Cameron Howard returns after seeing varsity action last season.
At 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, Howard brings quickness and the ability to make plays in space.
He should have an opportunity to take on a larger role as Phoenixville searches for more consistent production in the running game.
Fullback and defensive end Luca Sophia gives the backfield a more physical option.
Sophia can contribute as a lead blocker, short-yardage runner and pass protector. His experience also makes him one of the offense’s potential leaders.
The combination of Howard’s quickness and Sophia’s physicality gives Phoenixville different options depending on the situation.
Young Receivers Offer Potential
Stephen Ferko and sophomores Zaaka Cooper and Brady Clark are among the returning players expected to contribute in the passing game.
Ferko brings varsity experience and should be prepared for an expanded role.
Cooper, listed at 6-foot-1, gives the Phantoms length on the perimeter and could develop into a consistent downfield target.
Clark returns at tight end and linebacker. His size and versatility should allow Phoenixville to use him as both a blocker and receiver.
The receiving corps remains young, but the group has already experienced varsity competition. The next step is becoming more consistent with route running, blocking and catching the football in pressure situations.
Offensive Line Could Become Team Strength
Phoenixville returns several experienced players along the offensive line.
Tackles JT Grohowski and Jeremy Unruh both return after playing meaningful snaps last season.
Grohowski is listed at 5-foot-9 and 270 pounds, while Unruh brings additional size at 6-foot and 265 pounds.
Jamarcus Gray provides one of the most intriguing young pieces on the roster. At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, Gray has the size to become a major factor at center and nose guard.
The Phantoms must replace English and Potuznik, but the returning experience gives the staff a strong starting point.
The offensive line will be responsible for protecting a new quarterback, establishing the running game and helping Phoenixville control the pace.
If the group develops chemistry, it could become the foundation of the offense.
Growth and Execution Define Offensive Goals
Phoenixville’s offensive outlook is centered on development rather than a complete system overhaul.
The players have already experienced difficult moments. Now they must show they learned from them.
“The key to our success will be how well we grow from last year’s challenges, learn from our mistakes and apply those lessons when it matters most this season,” the coaching staff said.
That means limiting penalties, avoiding turnovers and executing basic assignments consistently.
The Phantoms have enough talent to improve, but progress will depend on discipline and communication.
Defense Returns Large Group of Contributors
Phoenixville’s defense returns the majority of the young players who gained varsity experience last season.
The unit brings back athletes at all three levels, including several sophomores who played important roles as freshmen.
The coaching staff expects that experience to result in better communication, faster recognition and fewer assignment mistakes.
The defense must still prove it can consistently stop the run, limit explosive plays and get off the field on third down.
Gray Leads Young Linebacker Group
Jake Gray returns at linebacker after being placed in a significant varsity role early in his career.
At 6-foot and approximately 220-225 pounds, Gray has the size and physicality to become one of the leaders of the front seven.
Junior Will Illingsworth and Brady Clark also return at linebacker.
That group gained valuable experience last season and should now play with greater confidence.
The Phantoms need their linebackers to communicate, fit the run correctly and tackle more consistently.
Sophia Provides Experience on Edge
Sophia returns at defensive end and should become one of the unit’s senior leaders.
His physical style and experience give Phoenixville stability on the edge.
The Phantoms will count on Sophia to set the edge against the run, pressure quarterbacks and help younger linemen understand their responsibilities.
Grohowski, Unruh and Jamarcus Gray are also expected to contribute in the defensive front, giving Phoenixville size in the trenches.
Young Secondary Has Significant Upside
Phoenixville returns several young athletes in the secondary.
Maxwell Eagle, Stephen Ferko, Zaaka Cooper and other returning contributors gained important experience last season.
Eagle is listed as a 2029 defensive back, meaning he played varsity football at an exceptionally young age. That early exposure should benefit him as he continues to mature.
The secondary’s success will depend on communication and discipline.
Young defensive backs often possess the athleticism to compete but must learn to recognize formations, maintain leverage and avoid being drawn out of position.
The coaching staff believes last year’s experience will help the group perform more consistently.
Communication Becomes Defensive Priority
Phoenixville’s defense does not need to become completely different.
It needs to become more dependable.
“Our success on defense will depend on how well they learn from last season’s mistakes, communicate and execute their assignments consistently,” the coaching staff said.
The returning players have already seen many of the situations they will face this fall.
They must now respond with greater awareness and confidence.
Special Teams Must Replace Kicker
The graduation of Jacobson leaves an opening in the kicking game.
Phoenixville must identify dependable options at kicker and punter during camp.
Field position and extra-point consistency can determine close games, particularly in the PAC Frontier Division.
The Phantoms have several athletic players who can contribute in the return game, but the specialist positions must be settled.
Players to Watch
JT Grohowski, Jr., OT/DL: Returning two-way lineman expected to anchor the offensive front.
Jeremy Unruh, Jr., OT/DL: Experienced junior lineman who provides size and stability in the trenches.
Jamarcus Gray, So., C/NG: Talented 6-foot-4, 290-pound sophomore with the potential to become a dominant interior player.
Jake Gray, So., LB: Young linebacker expected to become one of the leaders of the defense.
Cameron Howard, Jr., RB: Quick returning runner with an opportunity to take on a larger workload.
Luca Sophia, Sr., FB/DE: Physical senior who provides leadership and experience on both sides of the football.
Stephen Ferko, Jr., WR/DB: Returning two-way athlete expected to play a larger role.
Will Illingsworth, Jr., LB: Experienced linebacker who should benefit from last year’s varsity experience.
Brady Clark, So., TE/LB: Versatile young player capable of contributing as a blocker, receiver and defender.
Zaaka Cooper, So., WR/DB: Athletic young receiver and defensive back with significant upside.
Maxwell Eagle, So., SS: Young defensive back who gained valuable varsity experience early in his career.
My thoughts on Phoenixville:
Phoenixville enters 2026 as a young team with more experience than its age might suggest.
The Phantoms must replace their quarterback, two important offensive linemen and their kicker, but they return a large group of players who learned difficult lessons during the 2025 season.
The offensive line has the potential to become a strength with Grohowski, Unruh and Jamarcus Gray leading the way.
Howard and Sophia provide options in the backfield, while Ferko, Cooper and Clark give the passing game young talent to develop.
Defensively, Phoenixville returns much of the group that was forced to grow up quickly last season. The linebackers and secondary should perform with greater confidence, but communication and assignment discipline remain essential.
The schedule includes difficult nonleague games against West Chester Rustin, Bishop Shanahan and Unionville before PAC Frontier Division play begins.
Phoenixville may still experience growing pains, but the roster is better prepared to handle them.
If the Phantoms develop a dependable quarterback, play consistently in the trenches and apply the lessons learned last season, they have an opportunity to improve significantly and become a more competitive factor in the PAC Frontier Division.
Head Coach: Anthony Ciarlello
Assistant Coaches:
Jamie Gray
Travis Ford-Bey
Mark Ferko
Bob Gray
Chris Edwards
Scott Willams
Rahim Beasley
Team Name: Phoenixville Phantoms
District: 1
Class: 5A
League: Pioneer Athletic Conference – Frontier Division
2025 Record: 3-7
8/22 Reading (6A) 6:30 pm W 28-6
8/28 Norristown (6A) 6:30 pm L 14-20
9/05 @ West Chester Henderson (5A) 7:00 pm L 14-42
9/12 Kennett (5A) 6:30 pm L 7-56
9/19 Pope John Paul II* (4A) 6:30 pm L 0-40
9/26 Upper Merion* (5A) 6:30 pm W 28-27
10/03 Pottstown Area* (4A) 6:30 pm W 34-8
10/10 @ Upper Perkiomen* (5A) 7:00 pm L 19-22
10/17 @ Pottsgrove* (5A) 7:00 pm L 0-27
10/24 @ Boyertown (6A) 7:00 pm L 7-49 PAC Crossover game
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 Oxford Area (5A) 11:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 @ Reading (6A) 7:00 pm
9/03 @ West Chester Rustin (5A) 7:00 pm
9/10 Bishop Shanahan (4A) 7:00 pm
9/18 @ Unionville (5A) 7:00 pm
9/25 Upper Perkiomen* (5A) 6:30 pm
10/02 Norristown* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Upper Merion* (5A) 6:30 pm
10/16 @ Pottstown Area* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ Pottsgrove* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/30 PAC Crossover Game (Non-PIAA) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Cameron English, OT, 6’3”, 255, 2026
Christopher Potuznik C 5’9”, 280, 2026
Patrick Carey TE 6’2” 185, 2026
Mike Venizia QB 6’1” 165 2026
Ryan Jacobson Kicker 6’0” 155, 2026
Offensive Starters Returning:
JT Grohowski OT 5’9”, 270, 2027
Jeremy Unruh OT 6′ 265 2027
Stephen Ferko Jr, WR, 6’0”165
Will Illingsworth Jr, LB, 5’9”, 160
Cameron Howard Jr, RB, 5’7”, 155
Brady Clark So, TE/LB, 6’0” 185
Jake Gray SO, LB, 6’0” 225
Jamarcus Gray SO, C/NG, 6’4” 290
Zaaka Cooper SO, WR, 6’1” 150
Luca Sophia SR, FB/DE, 5’10”, 185
Defensive Starters Returning:
Jacob Gray 6’1” 220 LB 2028
Maxwell Eagle 6’2” 175 SS 2029
JT Grohowski OT 5’9”, 270, 2027
Jeremy Unruh OT 6′ 265 2027
Stephen Ferko Jr, WR, 6’0”165
Will Illingsworth Jr, LB, 5’9”, 160
Brady Clark So, TE/LB, 6’0” 185
Jake Gray SO, LB, 6’0” 225
Zaaka Cooper SO, WR, 6’1” 150
Luca Sophia SR, FB/DE, 5’10”, 185
Special Team Starters Returning:
None
Key Newcomers:
Lincoln Defrain 5’11” 165 QB 2028
Nate Dungee-Vogt 6’2” 265 OL/DL 2027
Kellan Jognson 5’11” 270 OL/DL 2029
Matthew Meadows 5’9” 145 DB 2027
Jacob Moore 5’6” 150 DB/RB 2029
Sam Szuchan, 5’8” 155 OL/LB 2029
Dean Wright, 5’10”, 160, DB/WR, 2027
2026 Offensive Outlook: Having ten first-year varsity players on the field last season gave us invaluable experience. With the majority of those players returning, our future is bright. The key to our success will be how well we grow from last year’s challenges, learn from our mistakes, and apply those lessons when it matters most this season.
2026 Defensive Outlook: Defensively, we had several first-year varsity players in key roles last season, and the majority of them are returning. Their experience should pay dividends this year. Our success on defense will depend on how well they learn from last season’s mistakes, communicate, and execute their assignments consistently.