FB 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.