Vikings' Santiago highlights award ceremony

by Barry Sankey, The Phoenix

Posted on January 12, 2009

POTTSTOWN — The mesmerizing story of Perkiomen Valley two-way football standout Rhashad Santiago, as told by Vikings head coach Scott Reed, headlined the Pioneer Athletic Conference Football Coaches Association 23rd annual all-league banquet Sunday afternoon at the Pottstown Elks Club on High Street.

Santiago, a second team wide receiver and honorable mention defensive back for the Vikings, has persevered despite a troubled life ever since he was a little kid growing up. Despite all the adversity that included the loss of two parents, Santiago has become an honor student and popular student/athlete at Perkiomen Valley High School.

For his efforts, Santiago received the Joe Edwards Scholarship award Sunday, which is given in memory of the longtime Owen J. Roberts assistant football coach who died during the past year.

Edwards also served as the master of ceremonies for the annual football banquet each year prior to his illness last year.

Santiago was one of six special award winners at the dinner. Spring-Ford quarterback/outside linebacker/punter Trevor Sasek received the David L. Freed Award, which has been presented for 34 years in memory of the former Spring-Ford High School lineman who died after suffering severe head injuries during a blocking drill practice back in 1975. Freed was also a National Honor Society member who was also known for his character and activities at church off the football field.

Spring-Ford head coach Gary Rhodenbaugh cited Sasek's commendable traits of dedication, work ethic, coachability, and loyalty that made him a deserving recipient. The three-year starter served as Ram captain and was also an "A" student in the classroom as well as leadership qualities. Trevor's mother, Vicki, has also been away from the family while serving with the National Guard as a lieutenant colonel. She is currently at Fort Dix, N.J., and will then leave for Iraq.

Owen J. Roberts sophomore running back/defensive back Ryan Brumfield, who was named first team All-State after rushing for a school record of more than 2,000 yards this fall, earned the Offensive Player of the Year. Sam Morgan, a two-way lineman for the Wildcats, received Defensive Player of the Year.

Methacton's Tim Smith, a first team wide receiver and defensive back, received Two-Way Player of the Year. Pottsgrove quarterback/defensive back Terrell Chestnut, also just a sophomore, received the Most Valuable Player honor. Chestnut earned first team honors as an athlete as well as first team at defensive back in helping lead the Falcons to the PAC-10 championship.

Pottsgrove linebacker Preston Hamlette, who was also instrumental in leading the Falcons to their league title, was also a first team All-State selection as chosen by the Associated Press.

"With Rhashad (Santiago), it's all been coming out," said Brumfield. "The moment is like Rhashad. It shows hard work pays off. I worked my butt off during the summer to get in the best shape I could. I knew I was going to take a beating every game. I was just sore.

"There is definitely a lot of talent in the league. I want to win the PAC-10 championship and have some more good seasons."

Two more special presentations were made at the beginning of the program from the coaches association. Bill Rogers, who has been a football coach at several area schools for more than 50 years, received a special plaque for his dedicated service to the sport.

Nick Pergine Sr. was also honored with a plaque for his work as league assigner of officials for PAC-10 football games. Pergine has also been diagnosed with cancer, but he said in some brief remarks that he vowed to battle the disease to the fullest and anticipates being back on the football field for next season.

Reed told the emotional story of Santiago, who just started attending Perk Valley in 10th grade.

Rhashad was born in Reading and was one of four children. But at the age of just 7, his mother had to relinquish her children. Rhashad was adopted by the Santiago family in Pottstown and stayed there for two years. When that mother passed away from breast cancer, Rhashad was at a loss again after losing two parents. Rhashad's adopted father remarried, but Rhashad and that wife did not get along. So Rhashad rebelled and was left to live on the streets of Pottstown and fight to survive on his own and got into trouble.

At the age of 13, he was sent to Glen Mills School for troubled youngsters.

"We played them in the district playoffs last year so Rhashad was able to talk about it in school," Reed said. "He (Santiago) had a good year at Glen Mills. But then his family did not want him any more."

Rhashad joined the New Life Youth and Family Services organization in Schwenksville and turned his life around with the aid of his minister.

Reed said Rhashad now carries a strong 3.3 grade point average, served as captain of the Perkiomen Valley gridders, and scored 1,180 on his Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). He is also a member of Big Siblings to assist youngsters with similar circumstances to his own life.

ALL ACADEMIC TEAM

Boyertown-Karl Hardenstine; Methacton-Michael He; Owen J. Roberts-Sam Odle; Perkiomen Valley-Gregory Boyd; Phoenixville-William Killeen; Pottsgrove-Tyler Aston; Pottstown-Anthony Lyon; Spring-Ford-Nicholas Caggiano; St. Pius X-Matthew Galloway; Upper Perkiomen-Thomas Paul III.

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