FB Players of the Week, '09

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   We are happy to announce a continuation of the 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 2009 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).

  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 and Public (offense, defense), one from Inter-Ac schools (overall) and a best performance
in defeat from any of the schools. We will take nominations through Tuesday night.
   Also . . . no nominations for lines/groups of players. We name an Offensive Line of the Week
each Tuesday in the Daily News (from Week 3 forward) and the members of our Offensive Line
of the Season, to be picked in December, will receive T-shirts.
    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 by mid-morning each
Wednesday), I'll make strong guesses on T-shirt sizes.

***Click here to see the logo on the T-shirts.***

OFFENSIVE LINE OF YEAR
  La Salle is our Offensive Line of the Year for helping to generate 4,895 yards and 59 TDs.
These 10 guys have received Player of the Week T-shirts (via QB Drew Loughery): C Ryan
Geiger, Gs Matt DiGiacomo, Steve Szostak and Floyd Shaffer (early in season), Ts Cameron
Cappo and Dylan Gavin, TE Steve Jones and rotating WRs Sam Feleccia, Connor Hoffman
and Kevin Forster.

WEEK 14
(Special Award)
Scott Adkins, Wood, RB-KR-DB
  Returned the opening kickoff for a long TD, getting the Vikings started in a 30-28 win over Pottsgrove. It was his sixth different kind of TD this season (also rush, reception and returns of punt/interception/fumble).

WEEK 13
(General Thanksgiving Heroes)
Anthony Reid, North Catholic, QB
  Passed 19-for-28 for 212 yards and two TDs, both in the final 2:28, as the Falcons bested Frankford, 28-22, in the 80th (and perhaps) final holiday meeting.
Pat Balmores, Neumann-Goretti, FB
  Ran 15 times for 70 yards and the winning TD in the waning moments as the Saints beat Southern, 12-8.
Calvin "Putt-Putt" Garvin, Roman, RB
  Getting extended opportunities in his final game, this popular senior captain produced 75 yards and two TDs on 17 carries as the Cahillites bested Roxborough, 27-6.
Chris O'Brien, Malvern, DB
  Finished with nine tackles, broke up three passes and recovered a key fumble (forced it, too) as the Friars rallied from a 14-0 deficit to edge SJ Prep, 17-16.
Kirk Wright, Overbrook, RB
  Needed just five carries to rack up 157 yards and three TDs as the Panthers wilted West Philly, 32-12.
Ramadan Abdullah, Germantown, QB
  Passed 13-for-24 for a school record of 290 yards and two TDs in the Bears' 36-0 trouncing of King. Also ran for two TDs and as many conversions.
Tyriuq "Pop Tart" Gordon, Univ. City, RB
  Collected 158 yards and two TDs on 20 carries as the Jaguars melted Mastbaum, 30-6.
Jaron "Snoop" Turner, Olney, QB
  Accounted for 251 yards from scrimmage while rushing 10 times for 111 yards and one score and passing 7-for-12 for 140 yards and three more scores. Also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD. The Trojans edged Fels, 42-36.
Eric Petransky, Bonner, RB
  Ran 21 times for three TDs and 240 yards, claiming the school record, in the Friars' 40-15 win over Carroll.
Ryan Bond, Conwell-Egan, WR
  Bagged 94 yards of rushing/receiving (one score), whipped a TD pass and had an interception as the Eagles topped Truman, 28-21.
(One Playoff Hero)
Jamal Abdur-Rahman, La Salle, RB-DB
  As the Explorers rolled past Washington, 31-20, for the AAAA City Title, he scored two touchdowns, one on a fumble return, and posted two interceptions.

WEEK 12
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Drew Loughery, La Salle, QB
  Passed 21-for-31 for 297 yards and four TDs while leading the Explorers, who trailed, 28-20, to a 35-28 win over SJ Prep for the AAAA championship.
DEFENSE
Charlie McCairns, Wood, LB
  Made seven tackles in just over one half of action as the Vikings bested Gratz, 42-6, for the AAA City Title. Was particularly effective in a 28-0 second quarter -- three tackles behind the line and a key fumble recovery.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Colin Rodgers, SJ Prep, WR
  Caught three passes for 60 yards and two TDs -- his first six-pointers of the season -- in the Hawks' 35-28 setback vs. La Salle. The scores came on fade patterns and featured leaping snags.
SPECIAL AWARD
Brian Havard, La Salle, sr. manager
  Brian, who suffers from a form of muscular dystrophy, is wheelchair bound, but that doesn't keep him from being a strong supporter of all things La Salle athletics. He's loved by the players and today (Nov. 25) they'll back him by participating in a mile walk to raise funds to fight his disease.

WEEK 11
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Tim Carroll, West Catholic, K
  Broke the city career record for PATs, with 158, then hit his first career FG, a 25-yarder, as the Burrs beat McDevitt, 44-22, in the AA final. (Followed the FG with a kickoff good for a touchback.)
DEFENSE
Vinny Migliarese, La Salle, DB
  Posted a pair of late-game interceptions as the Explorers topped O'Hara, 31-21, in the AAAA final. (Came within a whisker of a third; the ball barely short-hopped him.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Luis Ortiz, Edison, WR
  Made four catches for 103 yards and a 51-yard TD (terrific, leaping snag) as the Owls edged Boys' Latin, 18-14, to avoid an 0-10 season. Also completed a pass for 30 yards. (On defense, his second of two picks occurred in the end zone on the game's last play.)
DEFENSE
Simba Sellers, Washington, LB
  The Eagles enjoyed early dominance en route to thumping Northeast, 40-0, for the AAAA championship and Simba was the primary reason. His 3.5 sacks accounted for 24 yards. Also recovered a fumble and made an interception.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Mick Foley, Penn Charter, WR-DB
  His contributions to a 25-22 win over Gtn. Academy included 12 catches for 178 yards and one interception.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Brian Taylor, Episcopal, RB
  Carried 22 times for 148 yards and all three TDs in the Churchmen's 26-19 loss to Haverford School.

WEEK 10
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Bobby D'Orazio, SJ Prep, WR
  Made four catches for 105 yards and two TDs as the Hawks topped Roman, 34-0.
DEFENSE
Jim Lynch, West Catholic, DE
  Involved himself in seven tackles as the Burrs defeated McDevitt, 35-7, in the CL AA final. Six went for losses totaling 32 yards. Included were four sacks.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Richard Williams, FitzSimons, QB
  Produced 190 yards of rushing/passing and accounted for all four TDs (two of each variety) as the Rams thwarted Edison, 24-0. (Also had an interception.)
DEFENSE
Camille Max, Northeast, LB
  Contributed eight tackles, broke up a pass and made a crucial fumble recovery, thus helping the Vikings subdue Frankford, 21-9, in AAAA semi.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Michael Brown, Penn Charter, RB-DB
  Hustled for 182 yards and one TD as the Quakers topped Episcopal, 37-20. Also had an interception.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Alex Hetzel, Lansdale Catholic, DB
  Logged two interceptions and made a red-zone fumble recovery as the Crusaders, big underdogs, fell by 22-19 to Wood in a AAA semi.

WEEK NINE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Brandon Hollomon, West Catholic, RB
  Scored three TDs on just five offensive touches (two runs, one reception) and added a fourth score on a 99-yard punt return, breaking a city playoff record that had stood since 1922, as the Burrs thumped Dougherty, 44-0, in a AA semifinal.
DEFENSE
Martin "Nico" Henry, McDevitt, OLB-S
  Intercepted a lateral and dashed 18 yards for the clinching TD as the Lancers topped Carroll, 21-0, in a AA semi. Also made a no-gain tackle on an earlier series inside McDevitt's 10. (And set up his team's second TD with a 55-yard run.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Brad Wilson, Del-Val, WR
  After suffering an ankle injury that appeared serious enough to sideline him for the game, he returned in the last few minutes and posted the longest TD catch in city playoff history -- 89 yards -- as the Warriors defeated Future, 34-20, in the A final. His score, off a tipped pass, expanded a 22-20 lead.
DEFENSE
Robert Quarterman, Bok, DB
  As the Wildcats tamed Imhotep, 32-8, in the AA final, he notched an interception and fumble recovery and two of his team-high six tackles went for losses.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
AJ Jones, Haverford School, WR-LB
  Made five catches for 104 yards and picked off a pass as the Fords beat Malvern, 17-14, for the first time since 1992. He returned his pick 50 yards to set up a TD.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Khalil Hobson, Future, RB
  Scored all three of his team's TDs in a 34-20 loss to D-V in the Pub A final. Included were two rushes and one reception and his longest, on a run, covered 86 yards.

WEEK EIGHT
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Eugene Byrd, North Catholic, RB
  Broke the school's one-game rushing record with 273 yards -- on 27 carries, good for three TDs -- as the Falcons topped Conwell-Egan, 19-15.
DEFENSE
Stan "Buddy" Visack, Neumann-Goretti, LB
  A stalwart all season, he made 11 tackles as the Saints blanked Kennedy-Kenrick, 14-0.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Christopher Lewis, Imhotep, QB
  Needed just five completions (in 13 attempts) to rack up 248 yards as the Panthers bested Furness, 28-0, to bag their first playoff win. Three of his passes went for TDs.
DEFENSE
Lamar Richards, Bartram, LB
  Notched eight solos among 10 total stops as the Braves muffled Overbrook, 8-2. Five of his stops were made behind the line, resulting in 12 yards in losses. Also recovered a fumble.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Tom Devlin, Chestnut Hill, FB-LB
  As the Blue Devils topped Gtn. Academy, 42-6, he ran for 61 yards and two TDs, did his usual great job of blocking for Ibraheim Campbell and recorded six tackles on defense.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Charles Barber, Prep Charter, RB-DB
  Led the Huskies in rushing, receiving and returning -- 141 yards in all; lone TD -- in a 28-6 playoff loss to Future. Was even better on defense, witness his 12 tackles (seven solos) and three interceptions.

WEEK SEVEN
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Bryant Moritz, Carroll, FB
  This once-upon-a-time lineman bulled for 158 yards and two TDs in the Patriots' 32-20 success over Kennedy-Kenrick.
DEFENSE
Steve Sinnott, La Salle, E
  Logged six tackles, including a sack, and two fumble recoveries as the Explorers bested Bonner, 31-6. Returned one of the fumbles 37 yards to the 1.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Sterling Taylor, Future, RB
  Returned from injury to run for 144 yards and two scores as the Firebirds bested Comm. Tech, 36-12.
DEFENSE
Sharrif Floyd, Washington, L
  Five of his seven tackles in a 36-0 win over Bartram were made at or behind the line.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Wyatt Benson, Haverford School, FB-LB
  Scored two TDs in a game for the first time in his life -- one apiece rushing/receiving -- and made four tackles behind the line as the Fords jolted Germantown Academy, 47-12.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Cullen Rota, Kennedy-Kenrick, WR
  In the Wolverines' last-ever CL game (the school will cease to exist in June), he made eight catches for 107 yards and two TDs in a 32-20 loss to Carroll.

WEEK SIX
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Anthony Singlar, Conwell-Egan, QB
  Accounted for 162 yards and two TDs (one apiece rushing/passing) as the Eagles bested Lansdale, 36-14.
DEFENSE
John Ruppert, West Catholic, DT
  Was limited to one half of action as the Burrs smoked Kennedy-Kenrick, 62-0, but certainly made the most of it. All seven of his tackles were made behind the line, resulting in 29 yards of losses. He also forced two fumbles and broke up a pass.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Aaron Wilmer, Washington, QB
  Ran 16 times for 85 yards and completed all but two of his 10 pass attempts (for 82 yards and a score) as the Eagles jolted Frankford, 28-6.
DEFENSE
Victor Pastore, Furness, LB
  Made 13 tackles, with five assists, as the Falcons edged Franklin, 16-14, for the biggest victory in the program's three-season history. Also forced a fumble to prevent Franklin's last-ditch effort to steal a win. (Also gained 48 yards at fullback.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Austin Kevitch, Germantown Academy, QB-CB
  Completed all but one of his 13 pass attempts, good for 141 yards, and ran for two TDs as the Patriots topped Academy of the New Church, 35-20. Also made 12 tackles.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Marquis White, Franklin, RB-DB
  In the Electrons' 16-14 loss to Furness, he carried 25 times for 195 yards and scored all of his team's points. Also posted an interception, broke up two passes and made four tackles.

WEEK FIVE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Jerry Rahill, Wood, QB
  In his first appearance since suffering a Week Two concussion, he saw relief duty at QB and passed 4-for-6 for 108 yards and two late TDs as the Vikings overtook West Catholic, 28-21. (On defense, also had an interception and a tackle to prevent a long TD.)
DEFENSE
Stephen Rooney, North Catholic, DL
  In a 33-18 win over Lansdale, he made five tackles and one of those went for a loss. Oh, he also broke up a pass, posted an interception and forced AND recovered a fumble.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Malik Stokes, Northeast, QB
  Passed 6-for-13 for 147 yards and two TDs, plus the decisive conversion, as the Vikings surprised Washington, 14-12, on the road. (Also punted well in emergency duty and forced a key fumble.)
DEFENSE
Ameer Selden, Del-Val, LB
  Made 10 tackles, with three of them going for 17 yards in losses, as the Warriors downed Comm. Tech, 14-0. (Also punted well and even completed a pass off a fake.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Joey Sankey, Penn Charter, WR
  Made 13 catches for 156 yards as the Quakers roared back from a 14-0 deficit in the last 18 minutes to beat Hun (N.J.), 21-14. Eleven of his snags, good for 126 yards, were posted in the second half.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Devon Barrett, Lansdale, RB
  Returning from a Week One knee injury, he carried 20 times for 133 yards and a TD in the Crusaders' 33-18 loss to North Catholic. Also caught a pass for 40 yards.

WEEK FOUR
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Skyler Mornhinweg, SJ Prep, QB
  Threw a pair of TD passes while rallying the Hawks to a 24-17 win over La Salle. It was their third comeback win from a double-digit deficit this season. The second TD, on a perfect pass to Bobby D'Orazio, made it 18-17 with 1:30 left.
DEFENSE
John Clark, Conwell-Egan, DB
  Made five tackles, recovered a fumble and pilfered a pass as the Eagles downed Dougherty, 28-7.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Ervin Johnson, Central, RB
  In his first action of the season, having recovered from an injury, "Magic" carried 16 times for 110 yards and all three TDs as the Lancers edged Lincoln, 21-20.
DEFENSE
Richard White, Southern, E-T-LB
  Registered eight tackles in the Rams' 28-26 OT success against West Philadelphia. Six were solo, including a sack and two others for losses. Also hustled for three hurries.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Bobby Hill, Malvern, RB
  Ran for 87 yards and two TDs and added a pair of conversions (one apiece rushing/receiving) as the Friars captured their first meeting with a fellow long-time power, Frankford. (On defense, he also made a terrific tackle to keep a conversion pass from succeeding.)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Tim Wade, La Salle, RB
  With franchise rusher Jamal Abdur-Rahman still unavailable (injury), this 5-7, 165-pound soph carried a whopping 29 times for 157 yards and a TD in the Explorers' 24-17 loss to SJ Prep.

WEEK THREE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Trevor Pendleton, Dougherty, QB
  Rushed 18 times for 136 yards and three TDs and also passed for a score as the Cardinals topped Mastbaum, 35-12, to win a third consecutive game for the first time since the 1996 season.
DEFENSE
Sam McCain, Wood, DB
  Mixed five tackles and two interceptions -- one while sprawled on his back -- as the Vikings muffled Ryan, 17-7. (Also had a 37-yard punt return and made three catches for 35 yards.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Stanley Baylis, Gratz, WR
  Broke the Pub record for receiving yards in a game, with 224, as the Bulldogs crunched Comm. Tech, 42-6. He needed just four catches. Included were a 95-yarder for a score, along with an 85-yarder.
DEFENSE
Kevin Pfeifer, Central, LB
  As the Lancers blanked Southern, 14-0, he logged eight solo tackles among 12 total while also making an interception.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Carl Walrath, Haverford School, RB
  Turned 16 carries into 211 yards and three TDs as the Fords doubled up Lawrenceville (N.J.), 42-21.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Jarred Evans, West Catholic, QB
  Passed 17-for-24 (70.8 percent) for 237 yards and two TDs in the Burrs' 16-14 loss to La Salle.

WEEK TWO
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Tarik Morris, Dougherty, RB
  Carried 15 times for 118 yards and two TDs as the Cardinals crunched Springfield Montco, 33-8, to post a second consecutive win for only the second time this decade.
DEFENSE
David D. Williams, North Catholic, LB
  Made five tackles and posted a key interception as the Falcons blanked Ryan, 17-0.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Robert Andrews, West Philadelphia, RB
  Turned 26 carries into 166 yards and two scores, helping to lead the Speedboys past Future, 20-14.
DEFENSE
Kevin Presley, Olney, L
  Played a key role at big moments as the Trojans edged Southern, 8-6. Overall, he notched one sack and two other TFLs, and recorded a tackle for no gain as Southern mounted a late drive.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Brian Ruditys, Episcopal, RB
  Ran 26 times for 141 yards and three TDs as the Churchmen outlasted Del-Val Charter, 27-20, in two OTs. Scored two TDs in OT, including, of course, the game-winner.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Bernard Avery, Roxborough, LB
  Made 10 tackles and recovered a fumble in the Indians' 6-0 setback vs. Lincoln. Included in his stops were a sack, three TFLs and six first hits.

WEEK ONE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Curt Wortham, Judge, RB
  Despite his diminutive size, he answered the ball-carrying bell 33 times and responded with 261 yards and two TDs in the Crusaders' 35-21 win over Council Rock North.
DEFENSE
Andrew Hackett, Bonner, E
  Made four tackles for losses and batted down a pass as the Friars dumped Upper Darby, 24-12, thus winning their neighborhood rivalry opener for the first time since 2004. (Also started at guard.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
OFFENSE
Darell Dyches, Penn, RB-KR
  His five touches from scrimmage produced 166 yards and one TD apiece via rushing and receiving. Also, he added two more scores on a kickoff return and an interception. Three of his scores covered at least 70 yards. The Lions roared past Comm. Tech, 42-20.
DEFENSE
Joshua Bangura, Dobbins, B
  Made two interceptions, raising his career total to 10, as the Mustangs topped Lincoln, 12-7. (Joshua always said he would post more career picks than his cousin, Yusuf Bangura, who played for Overbrook and Bartram through last season. Yusuf had eight. Joshua didn't waste any time -- smile).
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Ibraheim Campbell, Chestnut Hill, RB-DB
  Turned 26 carries into 147 yards and two TDs as the Blue Devils/Hillers handled North Catholic, 21-13.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Sharif Smith, Furness, RB-KR-DB
  Accounted for 232 yards of all-purpose yardage and posted the Falcons' lone score (KO return) in a 28-6 loss to Episcopal. Also intercepted a pass.