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Players of the Week, '03
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Every Wednesday, we will name six Players of the
Week in this space -- two apiece from Catholic, Public and Inter-Ac schools (one offense,
one defense). We will take nominations through Tuesday night.
Goofy nominations won't be posted.
We encourage coaches to make nominations, especially to
make sure we are aware of special line play ("anonymous" is fine). Players can
win just once through the regular season; everyone will again be eligible in the playoffs.
Send nominations, with the reason you're
nominating the player to silaryt@phillynews.com.
As always, thanks for your interest/help.
As you can imagine, maintaining this site
requires large chunks of time. For that reason, we will NOT post e-mails after
the fact concerning the Player of the Week choices, positive or negative. Once the results
are posted, the nomination e-mails will be deleted. Performances by players in competitive
games, and/or those considered upsets, will generally carry more weight.
Thank you, Ted.
PLEASE REMEMBER . . . Guys can win just once during the regular season.
THANKSGIVING (a couple extra; we're in a giving mood
- smile).
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Carl Peterson, Judge, WR
Made seven catches for 130 yards
and a TD in a 25-20 win over Lincoln. Became the first receiver in city history to post
two 800-yard seasons.
Andre Sloan-El, Roman, QB
Passed 9-for-10 for 140 yards and
three TDs in a 40-6 win over Roxborough. Became the school's one-season passing leader
with 1,498 yards and lifted career total to 3,768.
DEFENSE
Jason Collins, Kennedy-Kenrick, L
Returned a fumble 9 yards for a TD
in a 15-14 win over Dougherty, giving the Wolverines (6-5) their first winning season
since 1995.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Marcus Walton, Germantown, RB
Carried 27 times for 159 yards and a TD
in the Bears' 25-14 win over King.
Ariel Simmons, Dobbins, WR
Set a school record with 198 receiving
yards (and scored three TDs) in a 26-6 win over Franklin.
DEFENSE
James Destouet, West Phila., L
This recent JV callup blocked a
punt, notched a sack and had another TFL in a 26-0 win over Overbrook.
WEEK 13
(Many great performances in playoffs; we're expanding a little)
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
John Shaw, St. Joe's Prep, RB
Ran for 98 yards and four TDs as
the Hawks whipped O'Hara in the Red final, 45-7, to finish 12-0 and extend their winning
streak to 35 games.
Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley, West
Catholic, RB
Rushed for four TDs and 225 yards,
raising his career total to exactly 7,200, as the Burrs downed Carroll, 32-27, in a Blue
semi.
Dale Curry, Judge, QB
Passed for 321 yards and two TDs while
rallying his team from a 35-21 deficit in a 36-35 win over Upper Darby.
DEFENSE
Mike Kruzits, Wood, LB
Two of his eight tackles went for
losses in a 13-7 win over Neumann in a Blue semi. (Also ran 17 yards for the winning TD.)
John McFadden, Wood, DB
Had two interceptions in that same
win. His second set up Kruzits' TD.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Jerry Butler, Washington, RB
Ran 22 times for 230 yards and two
TDs, including the late game-winner, in a 21-14 semifinal win over Dobbins.
Joe Marshall, Central, QB
Was spectacular in his first
varsity start in place of the injured Marcel Quarterman, collecting 257 yards of total
offense (191 passing, 66 rushing) in a 48-24 semifinal loss to Frankford.
Joe DiGrazio, Lincoln, Rec.
Made four catches for 94 yards and three TDs,
all in one half, in a 34-0 win over Overbrook.
DEFENSE
Chuck Hughes, Washington, DB
Made two interceptions and
recovered a fumble to set up Butler's winning TD.
Ariel Simmons, Dobbins, DB
Made an interception, recovered a
fumble and came out of nowhere for a TD-saving tackle at the 1 on Washington's final play
of the first half. (On offense, caught a TD pass).
Michael Washington, Frankford, OLB
Made 11 solo tackles vs. Central. (On
offense, caught a TD pass.)
WEEK 12
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Matt Gough, O'Hara, RB
Ran for 127 yards and two TDs on
nine carries and, like always, blocked like a madman as the Lions dusted Roman, 35-0, in
a Red semifnal.
DEFENSE
Wayne Donahue, West Catholic, LB
This soph was in on 12 tackles total in a 33-12 win over
Conwell-Egan. Included were two sacks and two regular TFLs for 20 yards total in losses.
He also recovered three fumbles and forced one.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Tom Laurich, Wood, K
Hammered a 54-yard field goal, longest in city history,
in a 20-3 win over Kennedy-Kenrick.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Steve Sydnor, Dobbins, QB
As the backup, rallied the
Mustangs past Mastbaum, 22-21, in a quarterfinal. Scored a TD and conversion to draw his
team into a tie at 14-14. With his team down, 21-14, in OT, he completed his only pass for
a TD and then had the good sense to hand the ball to Greg Myers on the winning conversion.
DEFENSE
Zimier McCloud, Washington, LB
Finished with nine solos among 12
tackles (two for a loss) as the Eagles downed Bok, 21-6, in a quarterfinal.
WEEK 11
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Bryan McCartney, Wood, RB
This sophomore ran for 161 yards
and two TDs, lifting his season's yardage total over 1,000, in a 20-7 win over West
Catholic.
DEFENSE
Kevin Donohoe, La Salle, DT
Made two tackles for losses (among
seven total) and exerted constant pressure on the QB as the Explorers topped Ryan, 28-14,
in a Red first-round playoff.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Seku Kamara, Bartram, RB-K-P
On a muddy surface, this native of
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, ran 18 times for 90 yards (and a conversion) as the Braves
stopped West Phila., 11-0, to take second place in D. Also kicked a 30-yard field goal and
had no punting misadventures.
Washchonne Savoy, University City, LB
Had two sacks and another
stop for a loss among seven tackles as the Jaguars blanked Southern, 16-0, to snap a
20-game losing streak. (Also carried five tmes for 88 yards.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE (Special Circumstances)
Zack Zeglinski, Penn Charter, RB-KR
After fumbling the ball on
the 2 minutes earlier, he returned a punt 39 yards for the winning TD as the Quakers
downed Gtn. Academy, 22-16, to claim one third of the title. Also ran for a score.
DEFENSE
Dylan Brown, Episcopal, DB
After missing much of the season with
an injury, he made two interceptions (and returned them for 79 yards total) in a 31-7 win
over Haverford School.
WEEK 10
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Dan Jones/John Shaw, SJ Prep, RBs
Sharing tailback duties, they
combined for 271 yards and five TDs on just 11 carries as the Hawks downed Judge, 42-0, to
set the city record for consecutive wins (33).
DEFENSE
Bishop McDevitt, team
Two weeks after getting torched
for 56 points by West Catholic, and despite still being beset by injury problems, the
Lancers pitched a shutout at Conwell-Egan.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Sammy Tranks, King, RB-Rec.
For the second time this season,
he turned his first three touches into TDs as the Cougars topped Franklin, 33-0. Totaled
144 yards on those three touches (two receptions, one run).
DEFENSE
Gerald Dove, West Phila., DB
Made two interceptions and two
other deflections and ran far across the field for a TD-saving tackle in a 20-16 win over
Southern. (Also played QB, running for one TD and throwing for another.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OVERALL
Sean Grieve, Gtn. Academy, QB
Scored both TDs in a 14-7 win over
Episcopal. Also passed for 163 yards.
WEEK NINE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley, West Catholic, RB
Carried 30 times for 399 yards (city
record) and five TDs in a 41-13 win over North Catholic. Also upped his career total to a
city record of 6,351. Was named NATIONAL Player of the Week by USA Today.
Dave Puliti, Carroll, DB
Returned one of two interceptions 97
yards for a TD in a 48-22 win over Neumann.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Darrell Fincher, Franklin, Athlete
Scored on a reception and 82-yard
kickoff return in 14-0 win vs. Overbrook. (Also made seven tackles.)
DEFENSE
Marcelluas Barnes, Bok, E/OLB
Paced a 10-0 win over Bartram with
eight tackles (sack and TFL among them) and a forced fumble.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
James Hannah, Penn Charter, QB
Passed
7-for-11 for 161 yards and three TDs in a 34-14 win over Haverford School.
DEFENSE
Greg Brown, Malvern, OLB
Recovered a fumble, forced a fumble,
notched two sacks (the first knocked the starting QB out of the game)
and made a late-game, leaping interception, returning it 30 yards for a TD, as the Friars
downed Episcopal, 24-7.
WEEK EIGHT
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Brian Hogan, La Salle, WR
Made eight catches for 126 yards and a
TD and was a whiz on returns as Explorers rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Ryan, 18-14.
(Also had a key interception on defense).
Mike Kruzits, Wood, LB
Keyed a defense that completely shut
down Conwell-Egan in a 27-0 victory. (In the second half, also played RB in the
old-fashioned Wishbone and ran for two TDs.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Arnold Mullins, Frankford, RB
Ran for 177 yards and three TDs, including a
77-yarder to erase a 14-12 deficit, in a 26-14 win over Washington. (Also played DB and
kicked off.)
DEFENSE
Cornelius Bunch, Central, DE/OLB
Among his 11 tackles, in a 20-7 win
over Dobbins, were four for 27 yards in losses. Also forced and recovered a fumble and
delivered a wicked hit on the QB.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Brian Egan, Malvern, RB
Basically an unknown sub beforehand, he ran for 95 yards and
two TDs in a 22-14 win over Penn Charter.
DEFENSE
Colin Hitschler, Penn Charter, DT
Had two sacks and three more tackles for losses in 22-14 loss
to Malvern. (Also jumped offsides three times, but we'll forgive him -- smile.)
WEEK SEVEN
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Billy Canady, Neumann, RB-Rec.-KR
Set a CL record with 38 points in
a 64-0 win over Dougherty. Scored four TDs on runs, one on a reception and one on a punt
return. Also had a two-point catch. Accumulated 265 all-purpose yards.
DEFENSE
Marty O'Hara, Conwell-Egan, DB
Made three interceptions, all from
C-E's 21 on in, in a 29-6 win over Kennedy-Kenrick. (Also had a TD catch.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Marcel Quarterman, Central, QB
Ran for a TD and passed for two more in a 41-20 win over
Gratz. (Also had two interceptions.)
DEFENSE
Omar McDonnaugh, Germantown, LB
Made eight tackles and recovered three fumbles, returning one
for a 51-yard TD, in a 28-8 win over Roxborough. (Also talked non-stop with everyone in
the stadium -- smile.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Zack Zeglinski, Penn Charter, RB-Rec.-KR
Accumulated 199 all-purpose and
scored three TDs, all on rushes, in a 26-6 win over Episcopal.
DEFENSE
Joe Rosati, Episcopal, LB
Was outstanding in a 26-6 loss to
Penn Charter. Four of his 13 tackles went for a combined 10 yards in losses.
WEEK SIX
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Anthony Heygood, O'Hara, RB
Joined the 3,000-yard Rushing Club with 273 and beat La
Salle, 14-7, with a late, 91-yard TD run.
Joe Thompson, Judge, DB
This freshman had three interceptions (and almost added
a fourth) as the Crusaders (five picks in all; none entering the game) bested Bonner,
28-22.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Bernard Franklin, Lincoln, RB
Ran for 80 yards and two TDs -- one apiece in the
second and third OTs -- to power an 18-12 win over King.
DEFENSE
Cedric Green, Bok, LB
Made 14 tackles in a 22-14 win over Germantown. The
Bears ran just 31 plays where tackles were possible.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Andrew Mackrides, Malvern, RB-K
Produced 19 points in a 31-14 win over Valley Forge thanks to
two rushing TDs, a FG and four PAT.
DEFENSE
Fran Grunde, Episcopal, DB
While playing on a tender ankle, he made two
interceptions, including a game-icer, in a 7-6 win over Loyola Blakefield (Md.).
WEEK FIVE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Tyler Johnson, Kennedy-Kenrick, RB
Ran for 110 yards and a TD in a 16-13 win over West
Catholic. (At LB, also recovered two fumbles to set up TDs.)
DEFENSE
Jack Ayling, Wood, DE
Made four tackles for losses, including sacks, as the
Vikings dumped Dougherty, 28-0.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Kyle Whiting, Gratz, QB
Led the Bulldogs on a 94-yard drive that ended with a
5-yard TD pass with 0:00 left, providing a 12-6 win over Bok.
DEFENSE
Warren Bartlett, Northeast, LB
Made 12 tackles, with four going for 22 yards in losses, in a
28-6 win over King. (Also ran for two TDs.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OVERALL
John Decker, Haverford School, WR-OLB
Was spectacular on both sides of the ball in a 27-20 win over
Great Valley. Tied a city record with four TD catches (11 receptions, 139 yards). Also
made 11 tackles; included were two drive-killing stops in the fourth quarter.
WEEK FOUR
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Steve Slaton, Conwell-Egan, RB
Rushed for five TDs and 253
yards, becoming his school's career rushing leader (2,979), in a 34-21 win over Neumann.
DEFENSE
Shane Rose, Wood, DB
Made seven tackles and
returned an interception 46 yards for the game-winning TD as the Vikings edged Carroll,
16-12, handing the Patriots just their third Blue loss in five seasons.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Jerry Butler, Washington, RB
Ran for 169 yards and two
TDs in a 26-14 win over Sussex Tech, of Delaware.
DEFENSE
George Davis, West Phila., LB
Made three tackles for
losses, totaling 13 yards, in a 24-6 win over Franklin. (Also rushed for a score.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Brian FitzPatrick, Episcopal, RB
Ran for 74 yards and all
four of his team's TDs in a 27-7 win over Penn Wood. (Also had an interception.)
DEFENSE
Dan Onorato, Malvern, LB
Recovered a fumble with 1:18 left
to set up the winning drive in a 35-28 win over Downingtown. (Also starred at QB; Friars
rallied from a 28-18 deficit in the fourth quarter.)
WEEK THREE
OVERALL (Only 6 teams played)
OFFENSE
Bryan Savage, Haverford School, QB
Passed 24-for-34 for 277 yards and
a TD in a 28-14 win over Chestnut Hill Academy.
DEFENSE
Tyler Stampone, Gtn. Academy, DB
Made two interceptions as the
Patriots, who forced six turnovers, bested La Salle, 27-12.
WEEK TWO
OVERALL (Only 5 teams played)
OFFENSE
Mike Lynch, La Salle, QB
Passed 13-for-18 for 245 yards and two TDs in a 27-7 win
over WC Henderson. Also ran for one score.
DEFENSE
Matt Parkhurst, SJ Prep, DE
Notched two sacks among five tackles while also forcing
a fumble, recovering a fumble and making an
end-of-game interception to spark a 10-7 win over Brooklyn Poly Prep.
WEEK ONE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE ONLY
OFFENSE
Dominic Rock, Dougherty, RB
Ran for 267 yards and six TDs,
tying the record for CL players, as the Cardinals dumped Morrisville, 40-18, and made
rookie coach Ernie Covington a winner in his debut.
DEFENSE
Bryan Maguire, Carroll, DB
Returned a late-game interception
50 yards for a TD, breaking a 12-12 tie and enabling the Patriots to best Lansdale
Catholic, 20-12.