Tanner Maddocks ‘picks’ up Fleetwood in rout of Upper Perkiomen

Tanner Maddocks is known for his golden arm, but he’s more than just a passer on the football field.

Friday the Villanova recruit showed off his defensive prowess, intercepting three passes and taking two of them back for scores as Fleetwood defeated Upper Perkiomen 41-0 in a non-league game at Red Hill.

The win was the second straight for the Tigers (2-1) and their first shutout since a 49-0 win over Kutztown to end the 2018 season.

The Fleetwood record for interceptions in a game is four, by Josh Goretzke against Bucktail in 2004.

Tigers coach Steve Beatty has been emphasizing defense this season after his team allowed more yards than any team in the Berks League a year ago.

Friday the Tigers allowed just 56 rushing yards and 153 total.

Maddocks returned an interception 45 yards for a TD late in the first half to give Fleetwood a 20-0 lead at intermission.

Gavin Morris scored two of his three touchdowns in the first half, on runs of 15 and 3 yards; he ran for a 31-yard score in the final quarter and finished with 112 yards on 13 carries.

Beatty has also emphasized the running game, and the Tigers came through in that department, churning out 227 yards on 34 attempts.

Maddocks accounted for 70 of those, on 10 carries.

He threw just 11 times, completing five for 97 yards.

Fleetwood turned it over only once.

Gage Moyer also ran for a 6-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

The Tigers open league play in Section 2 of the Berks Football League next week at Conrad Weiser (2-1).