Mac's Facs Football 2005 Return to TedSilary.com Home Page    Joe McFadden hits a number of games on the high school scene and will file occasional reports.

DEC. 2
GUEST APPEARANCE . . .
  Mark "Froggy" Carfagno, Joe's long-time buddy, has offered some quick thoughts
on the CL title games:
  Yes, the Vikings of Archbishop Wood will score a Blue Division Hat Trick by beating
the Burrs for the third straight year. There's too much confusion on the West Catholic
sidelines in big games for me to pick the school I attended many, many years ago.
  It's Back to Back for the Lions of Cardinal O'Hara. Too much intensity
instituted by Prep Coach Gil Brooks. Can you believe the Mighty Hawks could
lose a championship game for the second consecutive time? Take it easy, Coach,
these games aren't bar exams.

NOV. 24
THANKSGIVING RIVALRY/Catholic-Public
Neumann-Goretti 53, Southern 8
   I guess you could say that on Thanksgiving Day of 2005, Neumann-Goretti received
two very good Mark's. As in Mark McPherson and Mark Hatty. Both in their Junior year
the sensational duo had career days. McPherson ran for 5 TDs, Hatty passed 11-16-0-175 yds. 2TDs
breaking the single season yardage record for the Saints, formerly the Pirates
of Bishop Neumann. Hatty's total of 1,201 yds broke Larry Barretta's 1981 record of
1,191 yds. The 5' 10" McPherson ran 19-178-5 TDs. He also returned an
interception for 17 yds and a fumble for 10. He led the Saints defense with 6 tackles-5 solo-TFL
at his linebacker position. Hatty opened the scoring by hitting Jr. WR/DB Rich
DiGregorio for a 15 yd TD strike. He later connected in the second quarter to Jr. RB/
DB Joe Gionfriddo 2-7-TD, for a 5 yd TD. Sr. K/P/LB Dan Juliano added the Point
After giving N-G a 33 - 0 lead with 2:34 remaining in the half. McPherson
would close out the first half scoring on a 12 yd burst up the middle with the clock showing 0:00,
for a 39-0 lead. His other scores came from runs of 1, 1, 13, 4 and 55 yds.
Hauling in Hatty's other passes were Sr. RB/DB Hiram Bowman 4-74, Gionfriddo
1-2, Sr. WR/DB Chuck French 3-66 and Sr. RB/DB Rich Allen 1-13. Bowman also
rushed 9-61 yds. He also was a factor on defense with 5 tackles - 3 solo.
  Southern hurt themselves with 4 turnovers. Along with McPherson, Allen also had a pick.
Jr. OL/DL Jimmy Niven recovered a fumble in addition to McPherson. Penalties also
doomed the Rams 7-74. N-G was penalized 3-17. Southern's only TD came on So. RB/DB
Tyrell Cooper's 57 yd run. Cooper finished with 90 yds on 8 rushes. Jr. QB Phil Messina
2-11-2- 23 yds was under pressure all day and completed both passes to Jr. TE/DE Jahmel
Bashir. SP would only add 26 yds on 8 other carries, giving them 116 on 16 attempts. N-G
rushed 35-262. The Rams had 128 return yds to the Saints 64. The Southern
defense was led by Cooper's 9 tackles-5 solo and a TFL. Jr. WR/DB Eric Whitaker 8-4,
Sr. OL/DL Anthony Bouie 7-3 and Sr. OL/DL Rickey Nguyen 6-3-TFL.
  Notes: Mystery writer Angela Lansbury would have been baffled
along with many others on a very unique happening near the end of the first half. With
51 seconds remaining the Saints Head Coach Steve Smith came running out on the
field and started screaming at the officials and the Southern sideline. No one
knew why? After his venting, he went and talked to his offense which was on
the field at the time. He was in the huddle for a good 3 or 4 minutes and no time out
was called. The Line Judge on the Southern sideline where I was standing said
he couldn't understand why a timeout wasn't issued by the Head Official. The
timeout would have been the Saints last. Instead Smith used his final one
with 35 seconds left, leading up to McPherson's TD with no time remaining in the half.
I went up to the white capper at halftime and asked for an explanation on the non-
time out and also asked for his name. He arrogantly responded to both of my
questions by saying; "Call Joe Stanley." Stanley is the Chairman of 
Public League FB and also the assigner of the Officials. I was very surprised at his
reponse. The Officials of all three Philadelphia City Leagues are usually
very cooperative and will answer any questions. " INFORMATION PLEASE,"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. May I have the phone number of a Joseph Stanley ?
  Toot -Toot, Toot -Toot !! Oh, that's me blowing my own horn after I said that
FRANKFORD WOULD WIN THE PUBLIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

NOV. 11
PIAA CLASS AAA
DISTRICT 1-12 SUBREGIONAL
Unionville 28, Bok 0
    During Bok's Head Coach Tom DeFelice's pregame talk he mentioned two
significant points. The first being that the average play in football lasts about 7
seconds. His other point was that in High School football each team would
have possession of the ball approximately 8 times. His point being that you must
give 110% on each play and take advantage when you have the ball. His second point
was very prophetic. Bok had the ball 9 times, while Unionville had it 7. It
should have been 8 for the Indians, but a fumble on a punt return cost them
one. In case you are bad in math, that indeed is 16 total possessions for the game.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Unionville would score on 5 of theirs. The Cats, on
the other hand, had a difficult time all night advancing the pigskin. They would enter
Unionville territory just 3 times. One being a gift after a fumble placing the ball on
the enemy 34. The closest they would penetrate other than that would be to the
Indian 41. The Southern Chester County Champs would allow only 83 rushing
yards on 27 attempts, and ( -13 ) passing on two completions. In spite of all of
this, DeFelice said that one play could have changed the complexion of the
game. Trailing 10-0, with just over 2 minutes left in the half the Wildcats had
the ball on the Indians 41. Facing a third and five, DeFelice put So. RB speedster Luke
Lassiter 7-28, in at Tight End. With Unionville not recognizing the deception,
Lassiter sprinted freely towards the left flag. Sr. QB James Jones 2-5-0 (-13 )
threw to a very wide open Lassiter around the 8 yd. line. The pass was
slightly overthrown but Lassiter managed to get one hand on it and tried to pull it
back in.
  He tipped it towards his body, but in doing so he started to stumble. He
juggled the ball on his way down but couldn't hold on to it. So what could have been a
10-6 or 10-8 game at intermission turned quickly to 17-0 when the   Indians  
executed a perfect screen. So. QB Matt Carroll 2-5-0 64-TD dumped the ball to
scrappy RB/DB Eric DiProspero 18-102-TD. DiProspero avoided 4 or 5 tackles
with his fancy footwork and concluded his 53 yd. gallop to the end zone with
1:09 remaining in the half. That ladies and gentleman for all intents and purposes
was the ball game.
       Unionville's first TD came at the 7:41 mark of the first quarter. It too featured
some deception, when Carroll apperared to hand the ball off to DiProspero.
Almost the entire Bok defense converged on DiProspero, however there was one problem,
he did not have the ball. Matt Carroll did. He not only fooled the Bok defense, but
myself and several thousand fans in attendance, for a 50 yd TD. I guess the hand
is quicker than the eye ! The Indians second TD came of the more conventional
variety. They marched 64 yds. on 10 plays. Diprospero ran the final 2 yds for
the score. During the drive he picked up 2 huge first downs on runs of 19 and 14 yds.
Unionville kicker David Schultz was perfect on all of his PATs. He also nailed
both of his field goal attempts of 25 and 22 yds. His kickoffs were not bad
either.
      Schultz kicked off 6 times.One of those was a line drive in an attempt to keep
the ball away from the Cats' Keith Williams. His five boots went to the 9, 12,
13, 13, and 10 yd. lines, making his average destination the 11.5 yd. line. We sure
don't see that in the Pub. Williams did his part on the 5 returns averaging 23.4 yds. a
return. His shortest return of the evening was 6 yds. on a well covered punt.
The Sr. RB/DB and return man totaled 123 return yds. The Cats started nearly
every drive with decent field position as a result of the returns. However they
would register just 4 first downs the entire night. In the backfield Williams could
muster only 28 yds. on 12 carries. The man for Unionville on defense was Sr.
DE/LB Brian Guest. Although he led the Indian tackle board with just 6-3
solo-3TFL's, the 6ft 2in. 265 lb created much confusion for the Bok offense. He
would line up at either Right or Left End and other times at Linebacker. He had a
nose for the ball whether he made the tackle or not. If he didn't, he forced the ball
carrier on one of his defensive mates.
     Two other Indians worth mentioning are Sr. DT/OL Tom Shropshire who made 5
solo stops including a sack and TFL and Jr. RB/DB Colton Vosburgh 5-4-TFL.
All in all the entire coaching staff led by Head Coach and  St. James grad Pat Clark
did a great job with their team. On offense the Indians rushed 47 times for 274 yds.
The Bok Defensive Ledger read as such:
Cortez McLlaughlin   9-5- fumble rec.
Nick Perrone              8-3
Terry Lee                   7-2
Bryant Whitney         5-3-TFL
Tony DuBose            4-3- TFL force fumble
Dahson Exum           4-2
Maurice Goodwin     4-2
Dante Quarterman     3-1-TFL
Mike Nelson              2 solo
Keith Williams          2 solo
Melvin James            2-1
Ronald Pittman        2
Gary Jernigan           1
Mike McClarin         1
  Notes: Unionville used plenty of shifting and misdirection on offense.
Defelice said that his team was not used to seeing things like that in the Pub.
The execution by Unionville's offense was flawless. If they do the same next
week against heavily favored Strath Haven they will have a legitimate chance.
Strath Haven's run defense gives up close to 160 yds. a game. I saw
Frankford play them early in the season and the Pioneers ran rather well in
the first half. They featured their patented trap most of the half. Strath Haven
picked up on it in the second half and made the proper adjustments. The boys
from Philly went to the air in the second half and had plenty of receivers
Wiiiiiiiiiiide Open, but QB Ryan Hardy was very erratic over and under throwing
them. I think Unionville may have enough gimmicks to upset the Panthers. Even if
arroll needs to go to the air he should have some success.
Did you know that Bok went deeper into the season than any school within the city
limits before suffering their first defeat?  Ironically, Malvern Prep, which is outside
of the city, but was the only other undefeated team of the three prominent
city leagues, lost their first game on Saturday.
  Oh, by the way. FRANKFORD WILL WIN THE PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP !!!!!!    Enjoy the rest of the postseason.

NOV. 10
NON-LEAGUE
Southern 38, Penn 0
   What a difference a week makes. After a shakey first game performance at QB
last week against Bok Phil Messina seemed much more relaxed in his second
start . The Jr. QB had a rough go at it last week fumbling several snaps, got sacked
a couple of times while failing to complete a pass. He was replaced in the
second half by previous starter Jr. Kareem Williams. This week, Messina fared
much better. He completed 3 of 5 passes for 64 yds. One being a 40 yard TD to
Jr. WR/BD Eric Whitaker 3- 88- TD. Messina had his throwing hand hurt late in the
second quarter and was replaced by Williams. Williams also completed 3 of 5 for 74
yds. including a one yarder to Angelo Turner. Messina's scoring pass started the
scoring midway through the second quarter. His 2 point conversion pass to Sr.
RB/LB Steven Burroughs, 11-28- TD. put the Rams up 8-0. Burroughs would run in
from the 5 after William Penn was forced to punt, to complete the first half
scoring. The score was set up after a nice punt return by Whitaker of 23 yds. So. RB/
DB Tyrell Cooper intercepted Jr. QB/TE Ryeheim Magobet's pass at the Lion 38 and
took it to the house, putting the Rams ahead 22-0. Williams would scramble in from
the 4 with 2:02 left in the third period and Cooper's PAT run made it 30-0. Eight
more points would come on Turner's short TD reception and another Burrough
conversion run at the 10:15 mark of the final quarter. William Penn hurt themselves
all day by turning the ball over 7 times, with 3 INT's and 4 lost fumbles.
Offensively they would rush 27 for just 74 yds. and complete one pass of 4 yds. to Jr. RB/DB
Tafani Baron.
For the Rams Turner would complete a Defensive Hat Trick with an
interception, fumble recovery and a forced fumble. Along with Turner and Cooper,
Whitaker had the third INT. Demetrius Tillman, Anthony Bouie, Cooper and Turner
had fumble recoveries.
Justin Berry led the Lions in rushing gaining 23 yds. on 9 attempts. Baron
had an interception, while Jason Simpkins and James Capers recovered fumbles.
The Tackle Leaders were:
Southern
Anthony Bouie - 10 - 5 solo- TFL
Demetrius Tillman 8- TFL
Seth Gordon 6-3- TFL
Rasahn Barnes 5-3
Howard Porter-Wise 4- TFL
Steven Burroughs TFL
James Rosato - sack
William Penn :
Jerome Belein 8-3 solo
Jabbar Turner 7-1- TFL
Tafani Baron 7- 3
Jason Simpkins 5-sack-TFL
Hakeem Brown TFL
Darryl McBride TFL
Donald Frieson TFL
   Notes: I was asked by the Southern coaching staff to mention that once again
there was not a Trainer at the game. Congratulations to SP's Head Coach Bill
Edger. His 2 sons were named All Catholic as members of St. Joe Prep's
football squad. The Rams next game will be on Thanksgiving morning against
Neumann-Goretti.

NOV. 5
NON-LEAGUE
University City 26, West Phila. 0
   I couldn't write this story until I felt a little better. My ears just stopped ringing
from standing on the West Philly sideline on Saturday. I believe I may have
mentioned this before, but Speedboy Head Coach John Lay does not stop screaming
at his players or staff the entire game. After any play that is unsuccessful
for West, which on this day was plenty, Lay just goes off. How in the world
can he possibly coach or call a play? By the time he stops yelling the 25
second play clock is near expiration. Come on coach, LAY OFF ! No wonder there
are more changes on your roster than in a Las Vegas burlesque show. I think
I'm OK Doc, I can hear clearly now. "You're OK for now, Mac, come back in 2
weeks and see me."
   Now about the game. It was the Sterling Johnson show. The UC Sr. RB/LB
ran 16 for 139 yds. and 3 TDs. He also made 9 tackles,4 of the solo variety. He did
not play every down because of the heat and was removed from the game near the
end of the third quarter. He has quick moves and is relentless on D. throwing his
5 ft. 8 inch 190 lb. frame around. From what I was told, his coaches will be sending
out some tapes to various colleges. As of now he has not heard from any schools.
He definitely can play at the next level somewhere. The Jags won the game and
yardage battle compiling 236 rushing and 73 passing. West Philly totaled 34
and 21. They also had 78 return yds. Johnson got it started after Speedboy Sr. QB/DB
Jamal Washington fumbled the ball at his own 27, and was recovered by UC's
Chris Brown. Brown would later recover another fumble. Johnson went in from
the 13 with 2:23 on the first quarter clock. Sr. QB Kenny Moore 3-10 73 yds. found
So. RB/TE Neville Hill-Brown wide open for the 2 pt. PAT.and an 8 - 0 lead.
Washington completed his only 2 passes on the next drive and with the aid of tank-
like Sr. FB/LB William Blackwell 9- 37, moved the ball to the UC 5 yd. line. Two
5 yd penalties sandwiched between short gains moved the ball to the 9.
Washington's 4th down pass fell incomplete turning the ball over to Jaguars.The next
2 plays saw both teams exchange interceptions WP's Brandon Johnson and
UC's Ralph Fluellen did the pickin'. Johnson would score later in the half from the
1 giving the Jags a 14- 0 advantage at the half. Starting the third quarter from their
own 42 UC used 9 plays for their third entrance into the end zone. Johnson ran
5 times picking up 62 yds., his last being a 14 yd. sweep around the left
side for a TD. After the score Johnson was done for the afternoon. Sr. RB'LB
Jamal Thompson 5-51-TD ended the scoring with a 13 yd. burst up the middle with
10:38 left in the contest. After WP went 3 and out the Jags ran the ball 9 times before
they were stopped on 4th down at the Speedboy 30. West went backwards from
that point with Brandon Johnson taking over at QB. Johnson was sacked by
Thompson and by the duo of Rick Faison and David Lindsay on consecutive
plays. The game ended on an interception by Hill-Brown.
   Notes: In addition to Johnson UC's Defense was led by Khalil Bookard's 2
INT's Fluellen's 6 tackles, 3 solo 1 sack and a TFL, Thompson 5-3-sack, Antoine
White 4-3-TFL- Force Fumble and Damy'on McGhee 4-2- TFL.. West was led by Jebril
Brown's 10 tackles 4 solo, Rasheen Bryan 7-5, Tristten Singleton 7-3, Jamil
Washington 7-4, William Blackwell 5-3, Atland Williams 5-TFL and Shaheed
Summers 4- TFL.

NOV. 4
NON-LEAGUE
Edison 22, Penn 6
  Antonio Pagan returned the opening kickoff 13 yds. to the Edison 44.
Five plays later, despite 3 Owl procedure penalties Edison had first and goal at the 8.
After a 2 yd gain by Joshua Alicea 8-42-TD advanced the ball to the 6 , another
5 yd infraction pushed them back to the 11. QB Johnathan Baez got one yd on the
next play to the Lion 10. On third down RB Kory Marshall ran up the middle to the
one. On 4th down the Owls jumped offsides again, to go back to the 6 . On a
repeat of the down Baez scrambled to his left and was headed towards the
corner of the end zone , before he was cut off by Sr. DE Jason Simpkins at the 4.
The big gain on the failed drive was a 44 yd toss by Baez to Armando Martinez. Baez
completed 4 of 7 for 66 yds. and a TD. Taking over at their own 4 William
Penn would move the ball just 6 yds. to the 10. A bad punt off the side of the foot by
Ryeheim Magobet gave Edison great field position at the Lion 26. Marshall 12-95-
TD would take care of the rest getting all 26 on 3 attempts and scoring from the 11.
The PAT failed and the Owls led 6-0 late in the first quarter. The Lions went
3 and out on their next three possessions, but the defense held its own until
late in the 2nd quarter when Baez threw a 4 yd TD to Alicea and Edison went
in at the half up 14-0. The second half kickoff return by Penn's Charles Corley worked
perfectly on a return right call. A huge wall pushed the Owl would be tacklers to the
left and Corley went untouched for 80 yds. The PAT failed, making it a 14-6 affair.
The two squads went back and forth the remaining 11:43 of the quarter as the score
stayed the same. The first play of the fourth period provided excitement, when Penn
QB Corley went back to pass from his own 21. He was hit at the 10 by Manylee Lugo
when the ball squirted free. It was picked up at the 3 by Edison's Robert
Vega who trotted the final 9 feet to the end zone. Baez ran the conversion for a
22-6 advantage. After a nice return of 24 yds. by Magobet, Penn started their next drive
at the Owl 47. On 3rd and 9 Corley's pass was picked off by Martinez at the 26.
Attempting to advance the INT Martinez fumbled the ball which was scooped up
by the Owls' Robert Serrano. Serrano made some nifty moves and raced 74 yds.
to the end zone at the 9:40 mark of the final quarter. All of a sudden some  pushing
and shoving at the Penn 25 turned into something real ugly. The next thing
you knew both teams were on the field battling it out. It got worse when Owl
supporters started leaped over the fence onto the field and became part of the
altercation.
  Flags were thrown everywhere and more people who were watching a soccer game
near the East end zone joined the fracas. Finally, some sort of order was restored
while the refs tried to figure things out. They took their conference to the
Edison side of the field. Astonishingly they jumped the fence to hold their
brief assembly.
  After only 2 or 3 minutes the head official waved his hands over his head signaling
that the game was over. I ran over and was told because both teams and
spectators participated in the fight that the game could not continue. I also was
told that on the interception return that a Penn player was blocked in the back
extremely hard at the 25 and may have started the initial pushing before total chaos
broke out. A flag was thrown on the play nullifying the TD. I asked the ref
if the game was official, and his reponse was " I don't know."
  Notes : Edison's defense caused many problems for Penn. Officially the
Lions ran 21 times for minus-9 yds. Minus 32 came at the expense of QB
Corley. Corley completed just 1 of 3 passes. Magobet was the receiver. WP
had 3 returns for 130 yds. Baez had 8 tackles and a TFL. Lugo 7-2TFL's- Sack -
Force Fumble, Alicea 6- 2 TFL's - Sack and Marshall 6- TFL contributed. Emilio
Guzman had a sack and John Guzman was good for a TFL.
The Lion defensive card looked like this:
James Cooper 7- 6 solo Force Fumble
Charles Corley 5- 2 solo
Rheheim Magobet 5- 1 solo
Charles Clinton 4 solos
James Turner 4- 1 solo -1 sack
Jerome Belien 3- 2 solo
Tafani Baron 3 - 1 solo

NOV. 3
NON-LEAGUE
Bok 20, Southern 0
   They were Hootin' and Hollerin' in the Southern locker room after Head Coach
Bill Edger's pre-game speech. It wasn't too long, but when he said "These guys
(Bok) are going to the state playoffs, so let's go show them something," the
room erupted and the Rams came out fired up. After Dante Winn's opening return
of 19 yds, SP had the ball on their own 39. Sr. RB/LB Steven Burroughs 6-30, ran
the first play from scrimmage for one yd. On second down impressive So. RB/LB
Tyrell Cooper 8-44, broke free around the right side and looked like he was going
in for an early score, with an open field in front of him. Bok Sr. RB/DB Keith
"Cadillac" Williams turned up the excelerator and caught Cooper from behind
at the Cats 37 to save a TD. Two plays later Jr. WR/DB Eric Whitaker ran a reverse
for 11 yds and another first down to Bok's 26. Cooper would gain 5 more yards
on the next play, making it second and five at the 21. That's when Bok's Defensive
Coordinator, Vince "Pops" Trombetta, blasted his Wildcat defense. He told them
they'd better regroup and listen to the coaches or they could be in trouble.
Fortunately, the Mifflin St. Men paid attention because the next two plays
the Rams went backwards. On third down Bok's Sr. RB/NG Nick "Popeye " Perrone
penetrated the Ram backfield and took down Whitaker for a 6 yd loss. A bad
pitch by first time starter Phil Messina at QB turned into another loss of 6
placing the ball at 33. A fake punt on fourth down gained zero yds. and the
Cats took over at their own 33. They would control the ball for the next 14
plays,but their drive was halted at the Ram 6 when Williams was stopped on fourth
down by Sr. OL/DL Anthony Bouie, who had a huge defensive game. He had 14
tackles- 6 solo and 3 for losses. Bouie who sensed a running play on fourth and nine ,
stayed home and made the stop on a Bok counter play. The drive was costly for the Cats
when SP's Sr OL/DL Demetrius Tillman stuck Perrone pretty good forcing Perrone
to sit out the rest of the game with a Hip Pointer. "Popeye" ran into similar
bad luck last year when he broke his foot in a non league contest and was
unable to participate in the playoffs the following week. Perrone is expected to
play next week when the Cats will face an undefeated Unionville
squad (10-0) in the first round. Bok would finally score on their next
possession. They marched 86 yards on 10 plays with Williams going in
from the 7 and also adding the conversion for an 8-0 lead with 4:32 left in the half.
Williams ran the ball two other times on the drive for 10 yds and caught the only pass
of the day from Sr QB James Jones (1-4) for 9 yds. The Cats got the ball right
back when Sr DE Mike McClarin picked up a free ball on the kickoff. The Rams
stopped the Cats three times at their own 27 with just under 3 minutes
remaining. At this time I heard Edger say "Come on, lets just get out of
here." I took it to mean that they were happy to go into the locker room down just 8-0. I
thought it was a good decision by Edger. Surprisingly, Messina went back to
pass on first down and was sacked by Lee for a 9 yd loss. Messina lost 12 more on
the next play when he was hit from behind by Sr OL/DL Bryant Whitney, forcing
the ball to squirt free and recovered by Lee at the Ram 6. Two plays later
Jones sneaked in from the two at the 1:19 mark. The PAT failed and the half
ended 14-0. So RB speedster Luke Lassiter 11-63 TD, scored from the three with
5:07 showing in the third, giving his team a 20-0 advantage. Prior to the score,
the stingy Cat defense allowed zero total yards on South Philly's 8 play
possession. They registeed a first down on a Bok 15 yd penalty. Edger replaced
Messina at QB, going with usual starter Kareem Williams. He didn't fare much
better, completing 1 of 8 to Angelo Turner for 30 yds. South Philly should have
made the score more respectable, but were denied on what myself and many Bok
sideline supporters thought was a TD but was taken away. Faced with fourth and
goal from the 14, Cooper scooted free at about the 8 and headed for the left
corner of the end zone. Noticing Jr DB/RB Ronald Pittman about to cut his angle,
Cooper dove from the three, extended the ball with his right hand over the
orange pylon, before going out of bounds. The official ruled him out of bounds at
the one. There was under three minutes to go and Bok was totally in control at
the time of the call. Even if Cooper did step out, which he definitely did
not, a TD has to be awarded for his great effort. Sometimes I just don't get it.
Or shall I say they (the refs) don't get by by using common sense.
Notes: Bok limited Southern to 86 total yards, 56 rushing and 30 passing.
Ronald Pittman and Maurice Goodwin both had 6 tackles. Pittman also had
a sack. Keith Willams 5 - 3 solo - sack, Terry Lee 5 - sack - forced fumble and
Bryant Whitney 5 - 1 loss - forced fumble aided the defense. Perrone also had a
TFL. Mike Nelson had an interception . For Southern, Demetrius Tillman 10-3-3
TFL's, Steve Burroughs 8 - TFL - force fumble, Tyrell Cooper 7 and Seth Gordon
TFL underlined Anthony Bouie's outstanding performance.

OCT. 21
NON-LEAGUE
Bok 38, Communications Tech 14
   "The Points OFF All Returns." Well most of them. That was the theme of the day
for Bok. The Wildcats were very productive in the Return category of the contest,
accounting for 181 yds. on just 5 touches. Three of the returns resulted into TDs.
SR RB/DB Keith Williams returned a fumble for a 53 yd. TD and also added a 48
yd. interception for a TD. JR. CB Maurice Goodwin contributed with a 33 yd.
interception that also was returned for a TD. Bok amazingly scored 30 points in
the first quarter and would add 8 more in the third before Communications Tech
would light the scoreboard. The Phoenix would score both of their TDs on pass plays.
QB. Isaac Cheeseboro 10-20-2-106 yds. hit WR/DB Leonard Jackson for a 59 yarder
and RB/LB Derrick Mack for 11 yds. Mack also grabbed a pass for a PAT. Bok's
other scores came on SR. RB/NG Nick "Popeye" Perrone's 7-28-TD 3 yd. run
after C.Tech failed on a fourth and one from the Cat 45. Cheeseboro's sneak was
stopped by SR. OL/DL Dahson Exum and up and coming SO. DE Terry Lee.
Perrone's score came minutes after the Williams fumble return to put the Wildcats
up 12-0 at the 6:21 mark. Williams PAT run made it 14-0. For good measure
Williams showed versatility scoring on a 21 yd. gallop to the end zone.
Ahead 30-0 Perrone blocked a punt and the ball ended up on the Phoenix 8
with 2:02 left in the half. Back-up runner Tony DuBose carried 3 straight times
putting the ball at the one yd. line with 28 seconds left and the clock still running.
Bok had plenty of time to get a play off, but Coach Tom DeFelice had his team
remain in the huddle until time expired.
  The game's strangest play came when Cheeseboro attempted a pass that was
batted up in the air by Lee. Cheeseboro naturally reacted and caught the ball,
but lost 13 yds. in doing so. Cheeseboro, who never stops chatting on the field
on both sides of the ball, gives 110% on every play. On defense he made 12 tackles
with 10 being of the solo variety from his safety position. Mack and Jackson pitched
in with 5 while LB Shawn Adams had 4. Mack also had a TFL.
   The South Philly boys limited the Southwest gang to just 35 yds. on
16 rushes. Exum led the charge with 9-4 solo. SO. LB Ackeem Clarke, who hails
from Jamaica, continues to progress as he see's more playing time each week.
He made 8 tackles 4 solo. Perrone 8, and Lee 5-2 sacks also topped the tackle
board. A total of 23 Wildcats had at least one tackle. Maurice Goodwin, Larry Rice
and Bryant Whitney all had TFL's, Exum also forced a fumble that was returned by
Williams. Michael Nelson pass defended 3 long passes by Cheeseboro. Calvin
Moultrie prevented a Phoenix TD when he leaped up in front of Jackson and
knocked the ball away in the end zone.
   Notes: Bok rushed 31 for 163 yds. QB James Jones threw just one pass
the entire day and it was incomplete. Next Friday it will be North against the South
for all the marbles. Ben Franklin [7-0] will host the Wildcats [7-0] for the AAA
crown and a trip to the PIAA playoffs. All the focus will be on Maurice Dantzler,
who leads the city in rushing for Franklin. Dantzler, who has a strong upper body,
uses it effectively while running off tackle. Along with his strong offensive line
the combination has created many problems for the opposition all season. The big
concern for Cat defensive coordinator and former Franklin head coach Vince
"Pops" Trombetta is the containment of the star runner. If Bok can keep him from
going outside of the box area Trombetta should be satisfied. That is a very big IF!
Annually these two teams play a good hard fought and hard hitting game. This
should be the same, if not even better. I'll stick my head out and say whoever
wins the turnover battle will win the game. Good Luck to both teams.

OCT. 15
PUBLIC AAA
Bok 46, Freire Charter 0
  After getting a scare earlier in the season from AAA opponent Imhotep, the
Wildcats came out focused. So focused that the next scare they get will be at
Halloween. Bok, like everyone else on the planet, knows that the AAA title and a
trip to the State Playoffs will come down to their October 28th meeting at Ben
Franklin. However, until then the 'Cats must play what the schedule dictates.
Unfortunately the dictator must have a speech impediment, because the
competition really is not there for Bok or Franklin. The three other AAA teams,
Friere, Imhotep and William Penn are at the infantile stages of their programs.
This will hinder the AAA survivor's chances when they do enter the playoffs
against some suburban powerhouse The Athletic Directors or Coaches should
make it a number one priority to find compatible opponents on open dates that
need to be filled. All righ! Enough on the Soap Box for now.
  Bok Head Coach Tom DeFelice played everyone on his 53-man roster. He used
his first, second and third team offense and defense. Late in the game he yelled
out, "Hey,Mac, that defense is all 10th graders." Are you listening, Catholic
League coaches?
  Eleven people ran the ball for Bok with JR RB/DB Tony DuBose 8-72-TD
leading the way. The 'Cats rushed 39 times for 296 yds. SR QB James Jones
completed one of two passes which resulted into a 35 yd TD to JR WR/DB
Maurice Goodwin for the game's first score on Bok's first possession. Friere
was forced to punt on their first series and the result was not pleasant. SR RB
Keith Williams caught the ball on his 35 yd line and danced and juked his way for
a 65 yd. TD return at the 7:39 mark of the first quarter. The two conversion runs
were good and Bok led 16-0. Williams would score the next TD on a 13 yd. run early
in the second period. At this point the parade of subs would begin. The Mifflin St.
part timers would complete the first half scoring on JR RB/DB Ronald Pittman's
2-yd. run for a 30-0 advantage. Bok would score two more times in the final half
on TD runs by Dante Quarterman 21 yds.and DuBose 10 yds. Quarterman, who
started the season as a wide out was discovered as an impressive runner during
a Bok practice when the 'Cats were shorthanded at that position. Injuries to
Williams and Luke Lassiter had the staff in search of a replacement. Quarterman
showed he was more than capable by displaying some nifty moves in practice
and in games. His unique feature is that he runs straight up like a wide receiver
and hardly moves his upper body to shake away tacklers. His legs and feet are
his primary weapons when he has the ball.
  Friere QB Clinton "Eli" Taylor completed 3 of 8 passes for 25 yds. Darrelle
Jones, 2-20 and Akeem Melvin 1-5 were the recipients. The Dragons had no luck
running the ball getting just 6 yds. on 12 rushes. Their defense was led by LB
Akmir Saunders who had 12 tackles-6 solo. Antoine Singleton 9-5, Melvin 8-3
Darrelle Jones 7-3, while Brandon Clark, Balil Brown and Danta Givens each had 6.
Singleton and Jones both had TFL's. Givens also recovered a fumble.
  Bok's Nick " Popeye " Perrone returned to his old position at Nose Guard
and created much havoc for the Dragons. He was quite a pest for QB Taylor.
Perrone batted a pass down in the backfield, hurried Taylor twice and also
registered two knockdowns on the signal caller. Once again he led in tackles with
7-2 solo- 1 TFL. Terry Lee, Bryant Whitney and Keith Williams all had 5. Williams,
Dubose and Goodwin each had TFL's. Shon Thompkins Juan Caraballo, Daquan
Johnson and Cortez McLaughlin each recovered a fumble.Whitney also forced
a fumble. Mike Nelson, Darnell Goddard, along with Williams, DuBose and Perrone,
each had conversion runs.
  Notes: It was Homecoming for Bok and the halftime festivities were hosted
by DeFelice near the East End Zone goal post.With the press box out of
commission the Head Coach used a bullhorn to introduce the senior players and
their families. The participants walked between the two lines of cheerleaders prior
to the females receiving their bouquets.
   Near the end of the game I thought I heard something that I wish I hadn't
from a Freire player, after one of his teammates lost a fumble. Unfortunately it was
confirmed by a Bok player as he came off the field. He said, "Hey, man, did
you hear what that dude said?" He continued with, "He said, 'I'm glad he fumbled,
because I'd rather play defense.' " What a shame. I don't want to bring it up, but
you know by now I have to, "ONLY IN THE PUB!"

OCT. 14
PUBLIC BLUE
Lincoln 16, Southern 0
  Lincoln's SR. RB Justin King 11-58 TD took the opening kickoff on his own
15 and advanced it to his 45. On the games first play from scrimmage SR WR
Richard Rivera grabbed his only catch of the day for 15 yds. After SR Antone Hampton 13-
77-TD was stopped for a 3 yd. loss by Southern's James Rosato, Hampton took
the next handoff and went untouched for a 43 yd. TD .King's conversion run gave the
Railsplitters an 8-0 lead at the 9:55 mark. The Rams went three and out on their
first posession and were forced to punt from their 33. SP's usual Long Snapper
Phil Montgomery announced upon his arrival to the locker room that he was unable
to play due to an injury. Coach Bill Edger was then forced to use last year's
snapper Rickey Nguyen, who also was injured. His snap sailed over the head of
Punter Tyrell Cooper before Cooper fell on the ball at his 5 yd. line. Two plays
later King scored from the one yd. line. Joseph Franklin ran for the PAT to end
the days scoring with 7:56 left in the first quarter. After their final points, Lincoln
would enter Ram territory just one more time the remainder of the game. That came
in the second period with 4:10 left, where they were stopped at the 30. Edger, who
calls the defense, rattled the Railsplitters with his 4-3 scheme. The closest they
would penetrate would come on the games final play which ended at the 50.
Southern's best scoring opportunity came midway in the final quarter. On second
and goal at the 3, JR QB/DB Kareem Williams 4-6 0- 39, had the wet ball
smacked out of his hands by Franklin where it was recovered by SR T/DL Carlin
Edwards at the one. Lincoln would kill the clock by registering 3 first downs with
Hampton and King running on 7 of the final 8 plays.
  The Rams started the second half getting into Lincoln territory after Williams
passed 16 yds. to JR WR/S Angelo Turner. After a keeper by Williams put the
ball on the 46, Lincoln's JR TE/DE Courey Burrell stepped up Big Time . He threw down SP's
Steven Burroughs 11-17, for a 7 yd. loss. The very next play he sacked Williams
for another loss of 7 forcing the Rams to punt. The South Philly gangs only other
chance was the Williams fumble at the 1.
  Lincoln SR QB Louis Purr threw 3-6-1 32. Besides Rivera, King 8, and Franklin
9. caught passes. The Rams Eric Whitaker made the INT. and had 3 returns for
46 yds. Burroughs 1-3 and JR. TE/DE Jahmel Bashir 2-20 also had SP receptions.
The Railsplitters defense was paced by JR DL Tyrone Bolden, who
made 8 tackles,4 solo. SR DB Marcus Cooper 7-3, Burrell 6-1 TFL-1 sack and JR DB
Tarron Smith 5-3 helped out. Jonathan Hayes and George Higgins each had a TFL.
The Rams leader was SR DT/DL Demetrius Tillman 10- 6 solo. Birthday
Boy Anthony Bouie 7- TFL and Tyrell Cooper 7 pitched in . Williams and Rosato
each had a TFL.
Notes:
Southern was not penalized the entire game. Lincoln violated 5 for
41. The Railsplitters won the first down battle 8-7. Yes, there was a trainer at the game.

OCT. 7
PUBLIC BLUE
Edison 36, Southern 0
   Speaking to Southern coach Bill Edger prior to the game, he mentioned to me
that it could be a long day for his Ram squad. Due to injuries and disciplinary
problems the South Philly boys were missing several of their key players.
Ufortunately Mr. Edger was correct. Southern could generate no offense at all. They
rushed 19 times for just 16 yards. Howerver, three of those attempts were by JR. QB/DB
Kareem Williams for negative yardage totaling (-24 ). Two were sacks by
Edison's SR DE/FB Darrin Fuller for (-16) . SR RB/LB Steven Burroughs did somewhat well
going 11-41. Williams passed 3-6-1-19 yds. Burroughs 1-8, SR TE/DE Jamhel
Bashir 1-8 and JR WR/DB Eric Whitaker 1-3, made the receptions. The Rams did manage
57 return yds. with Whitaker leading the way with 3 for 47.
The first half featured the outstanding running of Edison's JR RB Kory
Marshall. Marshall paraded 15 times for 106 yds. and 3 TD's. His offensive
line did a good job of creating space for him, but he ran on the coattails of
fullback Darrin Fuller. Fuller's blocking was awesome and several times he
pancaked the opposition while leading the interference for Marshall.Marshall would
not run the ball at all in the second half. The Owls went into the locker room
leading 22-0.
  The second half was sort of bizarre for the Owl's as they were
penalized 11 times for 117 yds. The visitors were more disciplined in the first
half comitting 4 for 24 yds. In spite of the penalties Edison would score twice in the
fourth quarter on 2 TD runs by JR RB/LB Josh Alicea, of 7 and 5 yds. Alicea carried
7-86. On the afternoon the Owls rushed 34-252-5 TD's. SR. QB/DB Johnathan
Baez passed 4-8 44 yds. Alicea grabbed 2 for 7 and SR. E/DB Armando Maritnez
had 2 for 37. Edison had 5 returns for 77 yds. Marshall 3-35, Alicea 1-16 and
George Baker 1-26 did the honors. Baez and Fuller each made 7 tackles. Along
with his sacks Fuller also forced a fumble which was recovered by Alicea.
Jamil Maisonet also recoverd a fumble. Marshall had an interception. SR C/NT Jed
Beldor added 6 tackles with 1 TFL. SR. DE Mannylee Lugo made 5 tackles with
2 TFL's Martinez, Jonathan McBride and Andrew Pedroza each added a TFL.
Southern's defense was paced by Howard Porter-Wise with 9 tackles-5 solo
Fourth year player and all around good guy Demetrius Tillman 8, Quasim Adams
7-5 solo, Anthony Bouie 6-1 TFL and Bashir 5-1TFL contributed.
   Notes: Baez gets plenty of time in the pocket on play action passes.
He hides the ball very well on his hip and fooled yours truly several times. I
spent the second half on the Edison sideline and it was quite entertaining.
In particular Head Linesman Keith Davis and the Southen chain crew of Shawn McKinney,
Derrick Wilson and Rahshee Mitchell. With 11 infractions in the half it was comical
watching the animated Davis instruct the crew when to and not to move the sticks.
They handled it very well. I really liked it when Edison coach Larry Oliver
took Kory Marshall to the side and explained that Darrin Fuller should be
rewarded for his blocking by running the ball a few times. Marshall wanted a couple
more shots, but after Oliver's talk he nodded his head in total agreement
with Oliver. Kudos to the offensive line of the Owls: Center Jed Beldor, Guards Andrew
Pedroza and Jonathan Cartagena, Tackles Robert Kennedy and Robert Vega
and Ends Carlos Flores and Tony Pagan .
  Little Man-Big Man: Midway in the fourth quarter South Philly's FR RB/DB
Nico Johnson, all of 5'1 and 116 lbs. ran up the gut and was greeted by 6' 2"
285 lbs Robert Vega. Aware of the mismatch Vega later explained to me that he
didn't want to hurt Johnson so he just took him down rather gently. First Class
all the way in my book! Don't let the little man fool you as I saw him throw
his body around kamikaze-like in previous games to record a few tackles.

SEPT. 30
PUBLIC BLUE
Overbrook 18, Southern 8
  On a beautiful fall afternoon it was a day where a football or baseball game
could have been played. When I arrived it looked like the latter. The Overbrook
Panthers entered 12th and Bigler with nine coaches. That's right, NINE. Two
years ago head coach Kenny Sturm often coached with one or no assistants. Does
Paul Vallas have that much pull?
  The Southern Rams scored their only points at the 5:55 mark of the first
quarter when Jr QB/DB Kareem Williams (4-8-2-48) tossed a 34 yard TD pass to Sr
RB/LB Steve Burroughs. Burroughs also ran for the conversion and an 8-0 lead.
Burroughs would grab 3 balls for 47 yards and rush 16 for 48. The 'Brook would
get on the board on the first play of the second quarter. Sr SE/DB Courtney
Munroe (4-82-TD) streaked down the left sideline to snag Sr QB/DB Sylvester
Broxton's (5-10-1-TD) pass for a 30 yard strike. The PAT failed, but the Panthers
trailed only by the slim margin of 8-6. In fact, Overbrook would fail on their
other 2 PATs. Penalties by both teams would hinder any other scoring
opportunities the remainder of the quarter, so the half ended 8-6. South Philly was
penalized (9-55) and the 'Brook (7-70) for the game. The Panthers would take the
lead for good when Fr E/OB Saleem Wilson picked off a Williams pass and would
need to make just one fancy move on his 42 yard entrance to the end zone at
the 10:18 mark of the third quarter. The scoring would conclude early in the
fourth period when Sr DE/TE Robert Sheed rushed the Rams' Williams. In an effort
to just get the pass off, the QB's toss was tipped by Sheed into the hands of
Sr TE/DE Naftalie Ellis, who ran uncontested for a 34 yard score. The game
didn't generate much offensive excitement from either team. Southern rushed
(31-69) and passed for 59 yards. Overbrook ran (23-51) to go along with Broxton's
100 passing yards. The Panthers nearly equaled their offensive total with 134
return yards. The Rams had 3 returns for 63 yards.
   The Overbrook defense was led by Sr LB/FB Eikeem Barron who had 9 tackles and
a sack. Ellis, 8-1 loss, Sr LB/G Oluwaseun Afuwape (6-1 TFL) and Sr LB/T
Rahim Frazier 6-1 TFL put a hold on the Ram offense. Robert Sheed also contributed
with a TFL. Afuwape, Ellis and Barron recovered fumbles. I was told by a
'Brook assistant that Ellis is being watched by some Division 1 schools. He has
the body and quickness and appears to be bigger than the physical numbers which
were said to be 6'2" and 250 lbs. Sr DL/OL Howard Porter-Wise led the South
Philly defense with 7 tackles, 2 TFL's and 1.5 sacks. Sr DL/OL Demetrius Tillman
6-1 sack, Burrroughs 5-3 solo - 2 TFLs and Jr DB/WR Eric Whitaker 5-4 solo
pitched in. Porter-Wise recovered a fumble as did Fr LB/RB Joseph Haggerty. Jr
DB Quasim Adams had an interception.
Notes:
   Later I stopped by Marple-Newtown High to check out former Southern head coach Lou
D'Alonzo's defense. D'Alonzo is the Defensive Coordinator an M-N. He was hired
three years ago by head coach Ray Gionta. D'Alonzo and Gionta became good
friends when Lou was coaching at Cardinal Dougherty and Ray was at Archbishop
Carroll over 20 years ago. D'Alonzo's defense was quite sound in their 17-0 win
over Springfield Delco. Lou said that he is feeling really good after
developing cancer on the back of his tongue over a year ago. The doctors and D'Alonzo
were baffled that he could have the disease in that area, since he is a
non-smoker. D'Alonzo still goes for his monthly check-ups, but says that he is now
cancer free. He also said that he just knows that sometime in the future he will
be back coaching in the "PUB". Here's hoping that he does.

SEPT. 24
NON-LEAGUE
Bok 22, University City 0
   SURPRISE, SURPRISE!! The game started on time, 10:30 AM, and there was a
trainer at the game. Marcus Owens from the Temple group showed up at 12th and
Bigler and assumed his athletic training responsibilities.
   For the third straight game the Bok defense held their opponent under 100
yards of total offense. U.C. rushed 26 times for just 32 yards. Also, a bad snap
on a punt and another out of a shotgun formation produced two team losses of
(-23). Jaguar Sr QB Steve Baxley completed 4 of 11 passes for 25 yards. The
Wildcats fared somewhat better (30-113), while Sr QB James Jones completed 3 of 5
for 70 yards and one TD. There were 13 total punts in the game, and
considering the wind conditions it was not a bad day for either punter. Sr RB/LB
Sterling Johnson punted 6 times for a 26.5 average. Bok's Jones punted 7 for 25.6.
U.C. was penalized 12/78, the Wildcats 7/40. Bok got on the board after a bad
snap out of punt formation gave the Wildcats good field position at the Jag's
30. Sr RB/DB Keith Williams 14-68 TD, picked up a quick 5 moving the ball to
the 25. An unsportsmanlike penalty against U.C. advanced the pigskin to the 12
and the Wildcats capitalized when Williams scored on the next play and ran in
for the conversion for an 8-0 Wildcat lead with 7:03 remaining in the second
quarter.fter the two squads exchanged punts, the Jag's were forced with a third
and six at the Bok 35. As Baxley went back to pass he was forced into an
incompletion as 6 foot 375 lb DT Shon Thompkins came rushing towards him. The
fourth down play ended with the same result as Thompkins, along with Jr. LB Maurice
Goodwin, hurried Baxley into another incompletion with 54 seconds remaining
in the half. Taking over at their own 35, Sr RB/LB Nick "Popeye" Perrone picked
up four yards with the clock still running at 32 seconds. Having to run one
more play, Bok Coach Tom DeFelice surprised everyone when So RB Luke Lassiter
6-32 TD, raced down the left sideline with U.C.'s Aaron Stephens tugging at his
jersey from behind. QB Jones threw a near perfect pass against the wind to
the Soph Speedster who juggled, then held on to the ball at the 20 and stumbled
his way into the end zone for a 61 yard TD. DeFelice explained later that he
was thinking what former Wildcat head coach, the late Charlie "Pops" Guida, told
him. He said that after an almost lackadaisical run on the previous play, the
defense's general mentality is the the half is over and that the QB will just
take a knee and be content with an 8-0 halftime lead. Williams ran for
another conversion and a 16-0 advaantage at the break.
   The second half started with U.C. kicker Sterling Johnson attempting an on
sides kick. Bok Sr OL/DL and special teamer Raheem Holman recovered the kick at
the Wildcat 42. After the first play of the series resulted in a 1 yard loss,
Keith Williams, who has a tendency to run outside instead of following his
blockers, finally did as told and scampered 34 yards to the Jag's 25. The next
play Lassiter took Jones's handoff, made a couple of nice moves the first 10
yards, then took it home for a 22-0 score. DeFelice, as he usually does with a 3
TD lead, sent his second team in to attempt the conversion. Their attempt
failed, so the day's scoring was finished. Neither team would threaten the rest of
the way, but the next 22 minutes featured some good hard hitting. Bok Sr LB
Dashon Exum put a big smack on Johnson forcing a fumble, which was recovered by
Ron Pittman. A few plays later Johnson returned the favor by sticking Lassiter,
allowing the ball to squirt loose and be recovered by New Orleans victim Sr
RB/LB Jamal Thompson. The Wildcats Holman got the biggest WOW when he
blindsided QB Baxley for a sack. Perrone once again was the Wildcat tackle leader with
9, 4 solo, 1 loss. He was trailed by Exum 8-5-1. Sr LB Cortez McLaughlin
finished 7-4-1, followed by Thompkins 6-3-2 hurries and Jr CB Tony DuBose 6-1-1.
The Jags' D was led by Johnson 10-6-1, Thompson 7-3-1, Jr OL John King 6-2-2,
Jr DB Ralph Fluellen 5, and Sr LB Antoine White 4-1 loss.

SEPT. 23
NON-LEAGUE
Franklin 22, Southern 6
 Before I start with all the numbers, stats and actual football playing,
let's begin with all the zaniness. According to Groundskeeper Mark McDonnell at
the 12th and Bigler playing site, while he was lining the field at the West End
a group of neighborhood kids stormed the field and broke off the already
crooked right upright of the East End Goal Post. This occurred about 1 PM., two
hours prior to the 3PM scheduled start. He contacted the School Board maintenance
department and they responded fairly quickly. Some welding, straightening and
tightening was done and the kickoff was pushed back just 12 mintues. When
they were finished they received a nice ovation from those in attendance, as well
as the coaches, officials and players.
 In the third quarter Franklin return man Ronald Kegler went down after
injuring his right ankle. He was in plenty of pain. According to his brother, who
ran onto the field with coach Kenny Geiser, the same ankle was broken two
previous times. Once again there were no trainers at the game so Southern assistant
Stosh Tunney called for an ambulance. The no-trainer situation had Geiser
fuming until he was red in the face. Southern coach Billy Edger was also very
upset. Geiser mentioned something about uniting all coaches and refusing to play
a game in the future if there is not a trainer present. He changed his tune
somewhat after the game saying,  "You have to play the games, but it could lead
to a bad situation somewhere down the line." I mentioned the same thing last
week, and by the way, I kind of like the idea of not playing. As Southern
assistant and former West Catholic player Joe Gifford said, "How could there be no
trainer or doctor for a Varsity football game?"
 I'll throw in some numbers now, but not good ones. How about 12 Ben Franklin
penalties for 115 yards and 9 Southern penalties for 73? Why stop now, I'm on
a roll. Let's toss in about a dozen trash-talking episodes along with one big
fighting altercation resulting into three ejections.  Ben Franklin's Joshua
McKnight and teammate Basil Brane, along with Southern's Jermehl Bashir were
all tossed. At this point I don't know if I want to report on the game. Can you
say Invisible Tackle? As in no left tackle for Southern. After the Rams Eric
Whitaker gained 14 yards on SP's first play, Tyrell Cooper gained 16 on the
next play. A flag was thrown by the official on the Ram sideline. His ruling was
that there was not enough players on the line. Coach Edger explained that he
was in an unbalanced set, but the Split End was on the line and the official
also agreed. Edger told his QB Kareem Williams to run the same play. He did, and
again the same ref threw the flag. Edger couldn't believe it. He screamed to
the official that it was agreed that end Jermehl Bashir was on the line. What
the official said next completely baffled everyone. He stated that on both
plays there was not a Left Tackle. WHAT?? I swear I saw him with my own two eyes,
live and in color on both plays. Presenting number 52 Left Tackle Tyleek Ross!
Just horrible officiating and lack of knowledge of a specific rule. So
instead of being in Franklin territory the Rams ended up back at their own 34. It
was all downhill from there. Franklin Sr RB Maurice Dantzler scored 3 TD's on
short runs in the first half. He also ran for one conversion. He plowed his way
for 169 first half yards on 20 carries. His final numbers were 28-221-3 TD.
Their second leading rusher was Sr QB Frank Anderson 3-24. He passed 2-3-(-1).
Terrell Harris, Rodreem Howell and Bobby Jenkins had Electron Interceptions.
Stephen Brantley and Joshua McKnight each had 7 tackles. Brantley also had a
sack. Brantley, McKnight (2), Anderson and Mark Carr all had tackles for a loss.
Franklin accumulated 15 first downs. The Rams had a difficult time all
afternoon trying to move the ball. They recorded just 5 first downs, 26 yards on 21
rushes and 77 passing yards. QB Kareem Williams completed just 5 passes on 20
attempts. Tyrell Cooper did manage 64 yards on 4 returns. Their tackle leaders
were Kerry Dunbar 11, Anthony Bouie 10, Angelo Turner 9, Cooper 7, James
Rosato 6, and Steven Burroughs 5. Turner had 3 TFLs while Bouie, Cooper, Rosato
and Warren Green each had one. Southern's TD came on a Steven Burroughs 2 yard
run in the third quarter. Oh, by the way, the game ended at 5:58 PM. Sorry, I
have to go now and get some sleep.

SEPT. 17
NON-LEAGUE
Penn Charter 14, McDonogh (Md.) 6
(Played at Haverford School)
   Three for Four. In baseball that is a very good batting average. 750 to be
exact. However, unfortunately three is the number of times the buses have
arrived late to the playing sites of the four games I have covered. The McDonogh
High School Eagles from Owings Mills, Maryland, entered the Haverford School
playing field at 11:35 for the scheduled 12 noon start. As a result the kickoff was
pushed back to 12:30. When I went up to one of their assistants requesting a
roster and stating I was working for the Philadelphia Daily News and Ted
Silary.com, he responded what a great site it was, and that all their coaches and the
majority of their players frequently check the site for info on Philly High
School Football and other sports. So, being as courteous as possible here at Ted
Silary.com we will give the Eagles their props knowing that they will be
reading this. The star of the game for McDonogh was Sr RB/LB Bryn Holmes. Being
the only running back in the spread offense of McD (and former Cardinal Dougherty)
head coach Dominic Damico, Holmes carried the ball 12-92 TD. He gained
every single yard by giving 110% as Penn Charter keyed on him on every running
play, knowing he would carry the ball the way the offense was structured. He
also caught two balls for 17 yards and had three returns for 34. The now 5'9",
160 pounder played almost the entire game in the extreme heat. On defense he
made 17 tackles; 8 solo and one for a loss. Sadly this will be his last year
playing football. He will attend the University of Maryland on a Lacrosse
Scholorship. The All State stick player will join his older brother Travis on the
Terrapin squad. His younger brother Curtis is currently a member of the Eagle
football unit. Holmes also was the National Prep Champion in the 152 lb division
in wrestling. He also was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler of the entire
National Tournament. WOW! Good Luck Bryn.
   Other notable players included QB Tim Brandau 10-18-0-161, Receiver Jason
Gross 3-64, Kicker LB Kyle O'Brien 7 tackles, DL Kelly Cox 6 tackles and a
blocked field goal, while punter Steve Freidman averaged 37.8 including a 61 yarder.
McDonogh's only score came right after the opening kickoff. They drove 80
yards on just 5 plays as Holmes showed tremendous agility while manuvering 32 yards for
a TD. Another big play of the series was a Brandau to Gross 42 yard
completion. On the Eagles following possession Gross would drop two balls, the big one
being down at the P.C. 10. Three or four other balls were dropped by McD
receivers during the course of the game. The Quakers first TD came on the first play
of the second quarter. They went 72 yards on 11 plays as Jr RB/SS Sean
Dressel 16-124-2 TD ran in from 13 yards out. Sr QB/DB Brendan McNally 14-20-149
completed three passes during the stretch for 42 yards. Jr WR/LB Anthony DiSalvo
(3-26) grabbed a 9 yarder for a first down. Dressel (2-27) caught a 21 yarder
and Sr FB/LB Mike Weick picked up 12 yards on his only catch of the day. Weick
also ran 4-14. The PAT was added by Jr Kicker Eric Muller (2-2). Dressel
would score again at the 1:59 mark of the same quarter, prancing in from the
eight. Muller's kick would end the afternoon's scoring. A huge play in the drive was
a fourth and one from the McDonogh 17. Dressel got more than enough after
being tackled at the 8. Charter was successful on two key plays in the fourth
quarter, which kept the ball out of McDonogh's hands. Faced with third and five
from their own 16, McNally completed a 7 yard pass to Di Salva with 5:38
remaining. McNally again came through on fourth and five at the Eagle 28, finding
Kevin McGarvey 14 yards downfield. Although the drive ended with a blocked field
goal attempt, the Eagles got the ball on their own 11 with 1:41 remaining and
no time outs. They put a big scare into the P.C. boys as Brandau completed 5
passes totaling 85 yards. Weick broke some Eagle momentum by sacking Brandau for
a loss of 9 at the McDonogh 40. The game ended in exciting fashion on the
final play. Brandau went back to pass from the Quaker 15. With all of his
receivers being tightly covered, he threw to the back of the end zone to Randall
Norton. Norton was closely covered by McNally and McGarvey and was forced to catch
the ball out of the end zone for an incompletion and a Penn Charter victory.
The Quaker defense was led by So DT Ryan McGarvey's 6 tackles, one for a loss
and a forced fumble. Sr FB/LB Joe Rauchut (9-32) had 5 tackles and a sack,
McNally also had 5 and an interception. Bambino also had a INT. Jr LT/DT Richard
White recovered a fumble.
Notes:
   Damico talks non stop on the sideline. After Holmes took a breather on the sideline,
Dom said, "Hurry up, put him back in. Without him we do not have a team out there."
When a flag was on the field he screamed to the officials, "Who's it on?" After the ref
said it was against P.C., he laughed and commented, "I'm sorry, we're just used to bad
officiating in Maryland." There
was one call though that was bad. After an incomplete pass over the middle by
Penn Charter as a result of good defense by a McDonogh defensive back, a flag
was thrown against the Eagles. When hearing that the call was for "Face
Guarding," Damico yelled out that it was just good defense. When the official
explained that it wasn't against the defender, but a linebacker who had his back
to the ball, the entire sideline went crazy and rightfully so. Damico screamed
that the linebacker was covering the area in front of him, which he was. The
official explained that when he jumped for the ball it was 6 inches from his
fingertips, which according to the officials constitutes "Face Guarding." Home
Town cooking for sure.

SEPT. 15
NON-LEAGUE
Bok 32, Edison 6
   It's back to be where I belong. Back to the Philadelphia Public League and
that infamous saying, "ONLY IN THE PUB". Game time was scheduled for 3 PM, but
at 2:30 the Edison Owls had yet to arrive. The problem as usual, those yellow
buses used for transportation. After a few phone calls the word was that only
one of two buses was at Edison. Instead of waiting for the second bus, Edison
Coach Larry Oliver carpooled his starters. They came about 2:40. Fifteen
minutes later the bus appeared with the rest of the squad. After confering with the
officials, a time was set to begin play. According to the refs it was 3:15.
As the Owls were out on the field doing the usual pre game warmups, about 3:12,
the officials blew their whistles for what they said was a 3:15 kickoff.
After the whistles the Edison players departed to the sidelines. Coach Oliver was
told that the game was to begin at 3:20. He got into a fairly good argument
with Line Judge Larry Ferreri. Oliver basically said we'll start when I'm ready.
He screamed for his team to return to the field and continue with their
pregame preparation. As they returned, Bok Coach Tom DeFelice started yelling at
the officials. His team was on their sideline ready to go. Head referee Bill
Coates let the Owls do their thing for a couple of more minutes. Finally at 3:25
it was game time. It was no contest. On Bok's first possession Sr QB James
Jones (3-3-98) tossed a perfect pass down the left sideline to West Catholic
transfer Dante Quarterman for a 70-yard TD. The conversion pass failed, and the
Wildcats led 6-0. Bok would only be successful on one conversion attempt after
their five TDs. That being Sr RB/LB Nick Perrone's run (5-28-TD) on the
Wildcats' last score. Sr RB Keith Williams (7-43-TD) scored from the four on the first
play of the second quarter for a 12-0 Bok lead. Unable to move the ball
against the Wildcats tough defense, the Owls were forced to punt for the third time
early in the second quarter. Sr LB Rashawn Fuller found an opening and
blocked Johnathan Baez' punt.
  Dashon Exum picked up the ball for Bok and ran 16 yards to the Edison 35. It
took the home team just five plays to score as Perrone carried 4 times for 19
yards, the last being from the 4 for the score. The 5'9", 205 pounder just
doesn't bang people on defense, he loves to drop his shoulders into would-be
tacklers and punish them even more. This man really enjoys contact, and for the
second consecutive game was forced to leave because of blood. Jones would end
the first half scoring by hitting Keith Williams in the flat for a 35 yard TD
and a 24-0 advantage. The South Philly boys would close their portion of the
scoring as So RB Luke Lassiter (3-46-TD) sprinted 40 yards after a 39 yard
kickoff return by Williams to start the second half. The third quarter was
definitely unique. A total of just 9 plays were run. Three of them being 2 kickoffs and
1 punt. So there actually were only 6 offensive plays. No, the Mercy Rule was
not in effect. "ONLY IN THE PUB does time FLY when Bok scores Five." The Owls
would eventually score at the 3:00 mark in the fourth quarter when Jr RB/LB
Kory Marshall (9-42-TD) scored from the five. Despite the score, Marshall, 6
tackles, 2 solo, and teammate Jr RB/LB Josh Alicea also 6 and 2, played hard
both ways for most of the 48 minutes. So DE Jonathon McBride, 5 tackles, 2 solo
and one for a loss, also aided the defense. Perrone, despite sitting out most
of the second half, made 6 tackles, 3 solo and one for a loss. DeFelice started
substituting in the second quarter after his team's third TD.
Other leaders on defense included: Sr DB John Monroe (5-3), Exum (5-2), Fuller
(4-3 TFLs), So DE Daquon Johnson (4-1 TFL) and 375 pounder Sr DT Shon Thompkins
(3-1 TFL).
Notes:
   The game was held up for about 25 minutes when Baez
surcumbed to the extreme heat. There was no trainer around so DeFelice and
assistant Frank "Roscoe" Natale went over to the Edison sideline where Baez was down.
With the help of Oliver, the three men were able to keep Baez
somewhat comfortable until the ambulance arrived. After the game, DeFelice and
Natale, along with assistant Vince "Pops" Trombetta, were very upset that there
was no trainer at the game. From what I was told, there's a shortage of trainers
in the Southern part of the city. This should not be tolerated. It could lead
to a very serious problem in the future. How could there not be anyone in the
medical field on such a hot and very humid day?. In Bok's two games this season,
they have yet to yield 100 or more yards of total offense. Last week against
Upper Moreland they surrendered 52 rushing and 15 passing. This week it was 86
and 11. Twenty three of the 86 came on the last play of the first half on a
run by Baez. If it wasn't the end of the half, DeFelice would have
accepted the holding penalty against Edison on the play.

SEPT. 10
NON-LEAGUE
Neumann-Goretti 33, Bartram 6
   The Saints of N-G grabbed a quick 20-0 advantage early in the second quarter.
N-G's Sr WB/DB and kickoff and punt returner Hiram Bowman took the opening
kickoff and went 83 yards for the game's first score. Sr K/P Dan Juliano (3 of 5)
added the PAT. Eight minutes later, Jr QB Mark Hatty (3-5-0-92) tossed a 50
yarder to a wide-open Bowman to give the Saints a 13-0 lead. Early in the
second quarter Jr RB/LB Anthony Davis (6-85, TD) took off from his own 35 and
rushed 65 yards for a TD. The PAT raised the score to 20-0. At this point, most of
the small crowd figured that the Braves would just throw in the towel. This
was not the case. On their next posession, Bartram QB Andre Goddard lined up in
the slot poisition and took Kris Brownlee's handoff and threw a 38 yard TD to
WR/DE Brad Davis (2-50). The PAT failed and left Bartram trailing 20-6. On
N-Gs next series Davis crushed backup QB Anthony Giletto, allowing the ball to
come loose and was recovered by the Braves Tauheed Coleman at the Saints' 28.
After a penalty pushed the ball back to the 33, RB Kevin Pace (2-24) got the 5
right back. On the next play, star RB John "Fudgie" Pratt (15-126) picked up
ten to move the ball to the 18. After that it was all downhill for the Braves.
From the N-G 18 QB Kris Brownlee rolled to his right and was hit by Sr OL/DL J.
Mike Francesco. The ball squirted loose and was scooped up in rhythm by Sr DL
Ryan Howlett at the 29, and Howlett ran uncontested for a 71 yard score. The
PAT gave his team a 27-6 lead with 5:05 left in the half. Jr RB/DB Joe
Gionfriddo (2-17- TD) closed out the day's scoring, going in from 6 yards out with
1:29 left before the half. Neither team would score in an uneventful second half.
For the Saints, Jr LB Mark McPherson was the star. He created plenty of
confusion whether he did or did not make the tackle. Many times he forced runners
to run into traffic, disrupting their timing and closing up their lanes. He
free lanced for 8 tackles, 6 solo and 1 for a loss. Francesco had 7 with one TFL.
Bowman had 6 tackles, while Jr LB Kenrade Peterson 5-1 TFL and Jr DL Jimmy
Niven had a TFL. For the Braves, Brian Boynes 7-1 TFL, Brad Davis 6-1 TFL -
forced fumble, and Kevin Pace 5, led the defense. Maurice Jessup forced a fumble
and Colin Jones had a TFL. Keith Fulton recovered a fumble.
Notes:
  Penalties hurt the Braves all day (11-102 yards). N-G did not punt once. The
Braves regiestered 12 first downs to the Saints 10.
  ONLY IN THE Puuuh, NO CATH!! WHAT? On Saints kicker Dan Juliano's second PAT
attempt, the ball was kicked below the crossbar, while his shoe, that's right,
his SHOE came off and went over the crossbar. Th officials signaled the shoe
GOOD. I Kid You Not. Say it ain't so. "ONLY IN THE CATH"! It just doesn't
sound right.

SEPT. 9
NON-LEAGUE
Bok 10, Upper Moreland 0
   With the buses arriving late, the Bok football squad really didn't have much
time to worry about its opposition. After arriving at Upper Moreland, they had
a quck slice of pizza, got dressed and headed out to the field for some
pregame warm-ups. Time allowed them only a short tune-up as they were run off the
field by the Golden Bear band. Yes, this was the Big Time for the Wildcats.
"Friday Night Lights" and all the hoopla, and also no respect from the Montco
high school football experts, who made them anywhere from a 20 to 24 point
underdog.
   The Bears got the ball first and went three and out. After a 35 yard punt the
Wildcats got the ball on their own 22. Sr RB-DB Keith Williams, 15-36, ran
the first two plays for 13 yards, moving the ball to the 35. On the next play,
So RB Luke Lassiter 18-151-TD, sprinted around the right side for a 57 yard
gain to the Upper Moreland 8. On the next play Bok got a bad break when Williams
appeared to be down at the one foot line when the ball came loose and was
recovered in the end zone by the Bears Dan Heiland. Starting from their 20, Upper
Moreland could manage just one first down against the stingy Wildcat defense.
Bok Sr LB Nick Perrone made 2 solo tackles for losses, forcing the Bears to
punt. On the ensuing return the Wildcats would face even more disappointment.
Return man Keith Williams fielded the punt at his 33. After a couple of nice
fakes he found himself in the open field along the right sideline and raced all
the way to the end zone. This time the officials ruled that he had stepped out
of bounds at the Upper Moreland 35. What now would have been a 2-TD early
advantage for Bok was still a scoreless contest. After the two tough breaks the
Wildcat supporters were wondering if they could overcome the adversity. Unable
to generate anything after Williams' return, Upper Moreland regained possession
at their 33. After another three and out for Upper Moreland, Bok started
their next drive from their 32. The Boys from the Pub would finally be rewarded as
they marched 68 yards for the games first score. The 13 play patrol was led
by Lassiter's 4 runs for 45 yards, his last a 4 yard TD. His first half stats
were a very impressive 129 yards on just 6 carries. Sr QB James Jones'
(2-4-0-19) conversion pass to Williams gave the Wildcats an 8-0 half time lead. The
half ended with Williams' intercepting a Rob Eagles pass in the end zone.
Williams would later pick off two more.
   Bok closed out the scoring when Perrone and Jr LB Ron Pittman tackled Upper
Moreland's Chris McGhee in the end zone for a safety. The Wildcat defense would
relinquish just 67 total yards. Upper Moreland rushed 32 times for just 52
yards and the Eagles completed one pass for 15. The defense was led by Mad Man
Perrone, 11 tackles - 4 TFL.'s and a half sack. Other contributors were Sr LB
Cortez McLaughlin, 9-3 TFL.s, 1 sack and a forced fumble. Sr LB Dahson Exum 8-1
TFL, Sr DE Mike McClarin, 5-2 TFL's and a fumble recovery and Sr DL Shon
Thompkins 5-1 TFL.
Notes:
   After Bok recovered a fumble with 1:33 remaining Coach Tom DeFelice called
time out and put in his second team offense. He later explained he wanted them
to experience playing under the lights. During Upper Moreland's last possession,
one official blew his whistle and screamed to the Bok sideline, ""Get that 33
(Perrone) off the field. He's got blood all over himself." I heard another
official comment, "Geez, I hope I have none on me."

SEPT. 2
NON-LEAGUE
Strath Haven 24, Frankford 0
   Strath Haven kicker Carl Reddick (1 FG, 3 PATS) was a late arriver at George
L. King Field in Nether Providence. The All-Delco soccer player was busy
scoring 2 goals and adding 3 assists in the Panthers' 8-0 win over Archbishop
Carroll. He was, however, able to get in a few practice kicks before game time. The
last time I saw a similiar two-sport player arrive late, real late, was at
Northeast High. The game was near its conclusion when the kicker, whose name I
can't recall, came running towards the sideline with half of his football
uniform on as his teammates helped him with his pads and made sure his shirt was
tucked in real tight as he ran onto the field to kick a game-winning field goal
to give Northeast a non-league win over Bok.
   Speaking of tight, that's what the first half was as the game's two featured
backs went head to head. Frankford Sr Brandon Norris, back with the Pioneers
after spending his junior year in Florida, rushed 12 times for 60 yards. Strath
Haven Sr. Jared Bradley carried 10 times for 58 yards. Frankford held its own,
allowing only a Bradley 1-yard TD (18/81, 2 TD) late in the first quarter and a
33-yard field goal by Reddick with just 13 seconds remaininng on the first
half clock to give the Panthers a 10-0 advantage at the midway point.
  The second half wasn't too good to the Pioneers as Bradley scored from the 4
early in the third quarter after Fkd went offsides on fourth and two to give
the Panthers a first down at the 4. An offside penalty against them also on
fourth and two set up Strath Haven Sr RB Kevin Kaminski's (10/67 TD) 8 yard
TD. at the 10:36 mark of the fourth quarter to conclude the scoring.
  The Panther defense was tough all evening, never allowing Frankford to
penetrate no further than the Strath Haven 27 yard line the entire game. Frankford's
best chance to score came early in the game when Sr QB Ryan Hardy (4-16-2-42
yd) tossed a long pass to Sr WR Maurice Bellinger (1/12), who appeared to have
beaten DB Roy-Al Edwards at the 15-yard line. Edwards caught up at the last
second and knocked the ball away from Bellinger. Hardy was erratic the entire
night, over and under throwing wide open receivers.
  Strath Haven LB Dylan Thomas-Fitzgerald picked off a Hardy pass and also
made 7 tackles. Linebacker Rich McCleary also had a pick. The tallest man on
defense and in the game, 6'5" Sr DE Jeremy Rafter created much havoc for the
Pioneers registering 9 tackles with 2 for losses. Sr LB Steve Johnson showed good
vision, manuevering himself around to make 8 tackles. Frankford had 8 returns
for 89 yards with Sr Chris Wilson at the top (2/46). Norris had 2 receptions
for 16 yards, while Bellinger (1/2) and Sr E Damon Brockington (1/24) each
contributed. Shareef Mintz, Nate Johnson and Calvin Spires all had six tackles for
Frankford. Johnson (2) and Spires (1) had TFLs. Eric Harrison made the hardest
hit of the night while sacking Strath Haven QB Mike Wray (2-7-0-30 yds) on a
blitz from his safety position. Dan Berdell (2), Tyree Dudley (1), Chris
Spence (1) Blakeen Foy (2) and Alex Ortiz (1) all had TFLs.
Notes:
  The Panther band entered the field with over 400 participants. Yes, 400!
"Where's the Water?" That's what Frankford Coach Mike Capriotti was screaming late
in the first quarter after realizing that during injuries or timeouts his
players had no water. Well, actually they had it stored in push-button coolers,
but no cups or water bottles. After the last waterless timeout the officials
called another timeout permitting the Pioneers to await the arrival of their
cups. Line Judge Angelo Mansini said to me that one of the points of emphasis
stressed to the officials this year was to make sure the players were hydrated.
Yes fans, I saw it for for myself, the first dehydration time out in High
School history. Where's the Pickle Juice when you need it? On the serious side,
late in the game at least four Frankford players left the game with cramps.
Frankford started 22 different people, offense and defense at the start of the
game.