FB Players of the Week, '04

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Click here to see the logo for the shirts!!

   We are happy to announce a partnership between In the Zone Inc. and TedSilary.com
that will enable us to award T-shirts to all FB Players of the Week during the 2004 season.

   ITZ is owned by former Malvern Prep FB player Brett Antell, and we very much
appreciate his willingness to help honor the winners with more than an announcement on
the site. Not that a mere announcement wasn't gigantic (smile).

   Later this month, we'll post a look at the logo that will appear on the T-shirts and the
T-shirts themselves will be ready for the start of the season.

   We'll usually get the T-shirts to the winners with the help of the good, ol' United States
Postal Service (to the player in care of his coach), though Ted may some deliver some in
person if he knows he'll be seeing a winner's team that upcoming weekend.

The regular announcement . . .

   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.

    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.

Unless I hear otherwise from winners at silaryt@phillynews.com or
215-854-5814 (just leave word on this voice mail), I'll make strong guesses
on sizes.
Thank you,
Ted

WEEK 14
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Chris Hanson, Wood, QB
   Became the first to pass for three TDs in a CL final, raising his season's total to 21, and ran for a fourth score as the Vikings won the Blue title over West Catholic, 29-0.
DEFENSE
Mike Marotta, O'Hara, LB
   Made six tackles and recovered a fumble, leading to the decisive score, as the Lions downed SJ Prep, 14-13, for Red honors.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Matt Daly, O'Hara
   Stormed downfield on kickoffs/punts to make four individual tackles, holding the returnees to gains of 10, 5, 7 and 1. Made a vital contribution to the field-position battle.

WEEK 13
CATHOLIC/INTER-AC COMBINED
OFFENSE
Erik Frazier, Judge, RB
   Lately a receiver, he switched back to RB as the second quarter began and finished with 22 carries for 154 yards and a TD as the Crusaders edged Lincoln, 19-18.   
DEFENSE
Steve Layne, Malvern, LB
   Made 12 tackles and forced a fumble as the Friars dumped Bonner, 36-12. 
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Steve Sydnor, Dobbins, QB
   Passed for 274 yards and five TDs -- with one out of punt formation -- as the Mustangs spanked Franklin, 30-14.    
Michael McClain, Southern, CB
   Made 11 tackles (two went for losses), broke up three passes, forced a fumble and made an interception to prevent a TD as the Rams topped Neumann-Goretti, 30-26, for their first Thanksgiving win since 1989. (Also made three catches for 101 yards.)

WEEK 12
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Bryan McCartney, Wood, RB
   Returning from a shoulder injury, he ran 24 times for 200 yards and three TDs as the Vikings bested Conwell-Egan, 40-20, in a Blue semifinal.
DEFENSE
Wayne Donahue, West Catholic, LB
   Three of his 10 tackles (five solos) went for losses as the Burrs held off Carroll, 14-12, in a Blue semi. He was also
returning from an injury. (Also ran for a TD.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Sherrod "Sheet Rock" Evers, Mastbaum, WR
   Made five catches for 114 yards and set the school record for receiving yards in a season (718) as the Panthers triumphed over University City, 38-20.
DEFENSE
Dominique Curry, Washington, E/OLB
   Scored on a fumble return and made three tackles (of six total) that went for losses as the Eagles dumped Northeast, 30-12, for the Pub title. (Also caught a TD pass.)

WEEK 11
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Jake "The Snake" Szulinski, Carroll, RB
  Slithered -- bulled, actually -- for 123 yards and three TDs in a first-round playoff win over North Catholic.
DEFENSE
Matt Licci, Bonner, LB
   Two of his nine tackles went for losses as the Friars, the No. 6 seed, surprised Roman, 16-12, in a first-round playoff.  
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Chuck Hughes, Washington, QB
   Ran for two short TDs and passed for another as the Eagles again spanked Frankford, 48-12, this time in a semi. (Also had an interception on defense.)
DEFENSE
Kyle Sample, Northeast, DB
   Made a key, fourth-quarter interception and his sure tackling prevented any long runs as the Vikings edged Dobbins, 7-6, in a semi.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Ryan Nanni, Penn Charter, QB
   In what was likely the final FB game of his life, this Rhode Island baseball signee made an emergency start at QB (he was the team's leading receiver) and led the Quakers past GA, 14-7, to create a triple tie for the Inter-Ac title. Scored the decisive TD.
DEFENSE
Dylan Brown, Episcopal, DB
   Made two interceptions as the Churchmen clipped Haverford School, 37-7, to also claim a piece of the title. (Also had a TD reception.)

WEEK 10
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Eric Brennan, West Catholic, QB
   This freshman threw for 138 yards and four TDs as the Burrs pounded Carroll, 42-14, to complete an 8-0 division season.  
Scott Taylor, O'Hara, LB
   Made 12 tackles and blocked a PAT as the Lions bested Roman, 24-21, in OT.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Chris Mountney, Northeast, K-P
   In a quarterfinal before 3,000, he handed the Vikings a 17-14 overtime win over Central with a 22-yard field goal. Also hit two PAT and averaged 40 yards on three punts.
DEFENSE
Thomas Wilmer, Washington, DB
   Starting for an injured teammate, he set an early defensive tone with two TFLs and an interception as the Eagles muffled Germantown, 49-8, in a quarterfinal.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Brendan O'Sullivan, Malvern, QB
   Passed 3-for-5 for 82 yards and scored two short TDs as the Friars hammered Haverford School, 48-0, ending a seven-game losing streak.
DEFENSE
Dan Meloro, Gtn. Academy, DT
   Made nine tackles as the Patriots became the first team to blank high-powered Episcopal Academy, 10-0.

WEEK NINE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Chris Diaferio, West Catholic, RB
   Ran for 346 all-purpose yards in a 26-13 win over North Catholic. Rushed 28 times for 241 and two scores and added a TD, breaking a 13-13 tie, on a 90-yard kickoff return.
Brian Mitros, McDevitt, DB
   After getting burned for an early TD, he made three interceptions (and six tackles) to help the Lancers down Kennedy-Kenrick, 14-6, and earn a Blue Division playoff spot.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Rashad "Reds" Williams, Dobbins, RB
   Fueled the Mustangs' fifth consecutive win (all since his return from fixing academic issues) with 24 carries for 120 yards and one TD. Also caught a scoring pass in the 24-8 win over Germantown, which yielded a playoff berth.
DEFENSE
Jeff "Milky" Jones, Northeast, LB
   Made 10 tackles and recovered a fumble to hand Frankford a VERY uncommon shutout loss (17-0) on its home field.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
James Hannah, Penn Charter, QB
   Passed 11-for-14 for 227 yards and two TDs in a 42-21 win over Haverford School.
Lou Calabrese, Episcopal, LB
   Posted an interception and a fumble recovery, along with close to double-digit tackles (goofball Puck never did provide a exact number) as the Churchmen best Malvern, 28-7.

WEEK EIGHT
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Jim McCormick, SJ Prep, QB
   Passed for two TDs as the Hawks won showdown at O'Hara, 12-7, to extend their CL regular season winning streak to 34 games. DEFENSE
Sean Matthews, Roman, LB
   Made 10 tackles as the Cahillites bumped Bonner, 25-13. (Also made significant contributions on offense in his first extended appearance on that side of ball.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Jerry Butler, Washington, RB
   Ran 15 times for 202 yards and three TDs as the Eagles dumped Frankford, the two-time defending champ, 42-6.
DEFENSE
Robert Fisher, E, and Andre Fisher, LB, of Germantown
   The brothers combined for 15 tackles, with two for losses, as the Bears trimmed Gratz, 14-6.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Tom Matteo, Gtn. Academy, G
   His always consistent blocking helped to fuel a 21-0 win over Haverford School.
DEFENSE
Kamal Marell, Penn Charter, B
   Had an interception -- and a lengthy return to set up a TD -- in a 21-8 win over Malvern.

WEEK SEVEN
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Mike "Michael Jack" Lynch, La Salle, QB
   Accounted for 261 yards total offense and a TD in a 12-7 win over Judge. Set up the other score with a run of roughly 70 yards. 
DEFENSE
Steve Wheatley, Bonner, E
  One of his seven tackles in a 17-13 win over West Catholic -- the Burrs' first loss of the year -- was a key, late-game sack. He also batted down a pass.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
William Brownlee, Overbrook, RB
   Ran for 137 yards and three TDs as the Panthers thumped Southern, 27-0, to edge ever closer to earning a postseason visit for the first time in the program's 77-year history.
Jamil Styles, Central, LB
   After missing two weeks with an injury, returned in "styles" with 14 tackles as the Lancers throttled Germantown, 49-12.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Joe Rosati, Episcopal, TE
   His blocking helped the Churchmen churn out 344 yards of total offense in a 13-7 win over Penn Charter, their first over the Quakers since 1989. (Also added 10 tackles at LB.)
Matt Brown, Gtn. Academy, LB
   Registered a whopping 18 tackles as the Patriots bested Malvern, 21-20. (Also delivered passionate blocks game-long at FB.)

WEEK SIX
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Carl Graham, Bonner, RB
   Ran for four TDs and added another on a kickoff return as the Friars jolted Judge, 53-20. One score broke a 20-20 tie and sent Bonner on a 33-point binge in roughly 7 1/2 minutes.
DEFENSE
Bill Gross, Wood, LB
   Six of his 12 tackles went for 31 yards in losses as the Vikings numbed North Catholic, 35-0. His TFLs produced more yardage than did the Falcons' offense.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Alonzo Williams, Frankford, TE
   Williams, who spent the first week of training camp as a backup fullback, turned three receptions into 128 yards and three scores in a 41-20 win over Mastbaum.
Joe DiGrazio, Lincoln, LB
   Notched double figures in tackles and recovered a fumble as the Railsplitters muffled Gratz, 19-0.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Alex Holcombe, Gtn. Academy, RB
   Ran for 109 yards and two TDs in a 23-19 win over Chichester. (Also scored on an interception.)
DEFENSE
R.J. Hollinshead, Penn Charter, E
   Has been playing with a cast on a broken hand. Made a one-handed interception and returned the ball 77 yards for a TD, starting the Quakers on their way to a 29-7 win over Interboro.

WEEK FIVE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Brent Christie, Carroll, RB
   Turned just nine carries into 187 yards and two TDs (of 67 and 91 yards) in a 35-14 win over McDevitt.
DEFENSE
Joe Sobocinski, La Salle, E
   Though the Explorers lost to SJ Prep, 23-12, he made 13 tackles (one sack, one other TFL) and forced a fumble.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Chris Banks, Northeast, FB
   In part taking up the slack for the injured HB, Jeremiah Pitt, he ran 16 times for 133 yards and three scores in a 35-18 win over Mastbaum. His last TD, a 47-yarder, was an eye-popper as he made two downfield cuts on the dead run and powered through a Mastbaum defender to get into the corner of the end zone.
DEFENSE
Amos Leak, Dobbins, E
   Made 11 total tackles in a 38-12 win over Penn. Had a sack and three other TFLs, worth 20 total yards.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Pete Wichmann, Episcopal, RB
   Ran 14 times for 113 yards as the Churchmen dispatched Hill School, 28-20. Also made two catches for 43 yards and a score.
Paul Sweeney, Penn Charter, LB
   Mixed seven tackles with two interceptions in a 20-6 win over Hun School, of N.J. (Also contributed 93 yards of offense, along with a TD.)

WEEK FOUR
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Steve Slaton, Conwell-Egan, RB
   Ran 27 times for 220 yards and two TDs in a 20-12 win over Neumann-Goretti.
DEFENSE
Brian Rorick, Carroll, DB
   Posted 10 tackles and an interception (and punted three times for a 45-yard average) in a 27-14 win over Wood.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Markies Tavares, Mastbaum, QB
   Passed for 123 yards and a TD in a 14-6 win at King.
DEFENSE
James Morgan, Overbrook, DL
   Six of his 10 tackles went for losses as the Panthers beat Franklin, 6-0, to set a school record with a fourth straight shutout.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Colin Hitschler, Penn Charter, L
   His blocking helped the Quakers post 250-plus yards in a 26-0 win over Peddie, N.J. Also scored eight points with two FGs (long of 37) and two PAT.
DEFENSE
Andrew Hanna, Haverford School, LB
   Accumulated 12 solo tackles (including two sacks) and six assists in a 22-7 win over Penn Wood.

WEEK THREE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
John Shaw, SJ Prep, RB
   Produced 193 yards and three TDs on 35 carries -- most for a Hawk in at least 21 seasons -- in a 27-12 win over Brooklyn Poly Prep.
DEFENSE
Greg Smith, O'Hara, LB
   Made 13 tackles (seven solos) and blocked a PAT in overtime to help the Lions top North Penn, 21-20.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Jeremiah Pitt, Northeast, RB
   Ran for 136 yards and three TDs in a 28-18 win over Lincoln.
DEFENSE
Rodney Sykes, Central, DB
   Made three interceptions as the Lancers won at Dobbins, 40-21.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Greg Isdaner, Episcopal, T
   His blocking helped Brian FitzPatrick produce 275 yards total offense and five TDs (four rushing, one passing) in a 39-0 win over Neumann-Goretti.
DEFENSE
Tyler Stampone, Gtn. Academy, DB
    Made two interceptions (for the second straight week) in the Patriots' 7-3 loss to La Salle.

WEEK TWO
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Evin Jones, Roman, RB
   Carried 25 times for 123 yards and the winning TD as the Cahillites topped Gtn. Academy, 13-10, in OT. Jones carried on all four of Roman's OT plays; the drive had to start from the 15 instead of the 10 due to a penalty.
DEFENSE
Jay Rigg, Kennedy-Kenrick, DB
   Made two interceptions, with the second coming on the game's final drive, as the Wolverines handed Carroll its first shutout in the six-season history of the Catholic League Blue Division.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Devon Johnson, Central, SB/QB
   After an early injury to Joe Marshall, Devon moved from slotback to quarterback and paced a 34-12 win over Central by passing 3-for-4 for 92 yards and three TDs. Also rushed for eight times for 73 yards and caught an early pass.
DEFENSE
Cyril Woodland, King, LB
   Made 14 tackles and recovered two fumbles in the Cougars' 16-8 win over Bok.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Sean Halloran, Haverford School, RB
   Produced 204 yards on 23 carries in the Fords' 14-11 win over Boys Latin, of Md.
DEFENSE
Brian FitzPatrick, Episcopal, DB
   Helped the Churchmen set a city record with FIVE defensive TDs in a 44-8 win over Chestnut Hill. Brian scored two of them on a 42-yard fumble return and 22-yard interception return.
NOTE: Still no sign of the T-shirts. We're remaining patient. Hopefully, you are also (smile).

WEEK ONE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Shane McNamara, North Catholic, RB-KR
   Rushed 11 times for 156 yards and a TD (67-yard run with lateral) as the Falcons topped Neumann-Goretti, 15-12, to make Chalie Szydlik a winner in his debut. Added 33 more yards on a catch and two returns.
DEFENSE
Mike Dayton, Kennedy-Kenrick, DB
   Posted two interceptions and 97 yards on three returns (two set up TDs) in the Wolverines' 28-6 success over Dougherty.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Chris Mitchell, Roxborough, RB-KR
   Carried 26 times for 162 yards and two TDs and added a third score on an 87-yard kickoff return, pacing the Indians to a 24-12 win over University City.
DEFENSE
Mark McPherson, Germantown, DB
   Posted an interception and made the win-preserving tackle on the 2 as time ran out, enabling the Bears to top Mastbaum, 16-12.
NOTE: The T-shirts are not yet ready. They will be mailed out early next week, hopefully.