Memorable
Moments
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This is YOUR page. Whether you're a player, coach, fan or parent, or were formerly one of those, we'd like to receive your stories about Memorable Moments you've witnessed, or were part of, and publish them here. Send your submissions to silaryt@phillynews.com. One favor, please: Don't write in all capital letters. And include a phone number in case we need to cross-check information and/or your identity. This has become a tremendous addition to www.tedsilary.com. Thank you, Ted. (P.S. -- You don't have to mention my name to get your moment published. My name is on this thing enough.)
Hi Ted, My son introduced me to this website and it
is always a pleasure to read it . You do a great job of making the kids feel good about
themselves. I had a memorable moment last weekend. My son is John
(Fat Ringo ) Gaynor. Last Saturday at the Judge- Prep game it was also Senior night.
At half time, the parents and players were introduced and had the opportunity to
walk out on the field together. It was an honor for my husband John and myself
and many other parents to recognize these young men and how far this team has come.
When these boys were freshmen, they didn't win one game! But they stuck
together and worked hard, saw Coach Whitey Sullivan leave, and Coach Tommy Coyle take over
and they never lost sight of their dreams...to have a team from Father Judge make the
playoffs again. Most of these boys won't make All Catholic, but you won't fi!
nd a nicer bunch of kids. I know I speak for all parents, when I wish them luck in
the playoffs.... Whether they win or lose we couldn't be more proud of this fine
group of young men. Thanks, Ted for the wonderful coverage you give all the
teams. Your words mean alot to them. ( I have a daughter, starting high
school next year, Do you cover the girls teams too? )
---- Kelly Gaynor
(Ted's note: Thank you, Kelly. You have a great kid. He and Goose worked
their butts off to make our b-ball tourney a reality last spring. I'm sure John
appreciates the support you give him! . . . I'm not real good at covering girls sports.
It's a major failing.)
It was November 15th 1997 catholic leauge quaterfinals at
northeast highs charlie martin stadium. It was a cold night that pitted the first place
ryan raiders vs the falcons of north catholic. All the experts said north didnt have a
cahnce but let me tell you the falcons were fired up and ready to play this game. The game
was back and forth a defensive battle until sophmore quaterback brian kulb heaved a hail
mary that was pulled down by norths tim murphy for a touchdown or so we thouhgt (flag on
the field) the play was brought back by a phantom hoding call. but this did not deter
north as they marched down the field and sean fisher rumbled in from a yard 7-0 north.
ryan quickly answered with a long drive of there own and scorerd on a td pass at the half
7-7 was the score. The second half began with north taking the opening kickoff and kulb
scored on a sneak. the score would stay that way till the fourth when ryan scored on
anothe! r oass play but failed on the 2 point conversion. north was winning 14-13 and we
thought the upset was in the maiking. ryan get the ball back with 2 mins left in the
fourth on first down no gaib, second down no gain , third down no gain now its 4th and 10
if north stops them this would be the biggest upset in catholic leauge playoff history but
on fourth and 10 ryan completed a pass for 12 yds and a first down two plays later they
scored and it was ryan 19- north 14 with time to go. on the first play brian kulb took a
shot that took him out of the game and a cold mark suarez came in a launched a hail mary
into a crowd of two defenders and norths tight end joe mcgauley there was a pile all three
fell to the ground.... mcgauley raises up with the ball!!! noths offense sprints downfield
but the refs said no catch and ryan wins 19-14 in a nail biter.....
now let me say something in playing in this game and watchin the film joe made that catch
!.... this was truly a great game and nc almost pulled it off
---- jim whitehead jr class of 98
(Ted's note: Thank you again, Jim. It's been rough for the Falcons this year,
but I know the Thanksgiving game will somehow be
a classic. Like always.)
This moment is from my brother Javer Dillard's last
playoff game in 1994 at Northeast High School Field. Germantown was favored to win
the whole thing that year, but somehow they got into a dogfight with Washington High
School. It was the last quarter and Germantown was down. They needed a
touchdown to send it into overtime. Coach Hicks called a timeout, and went out to
the huddle. I thought it was surely over. The timeout is over Germantown comes
out of the huddle. They run the play, my brother just runs a straight fly pattern
nothing special, he speeds past his man, and the safety couldn't help by then. He
jumps up in the air, and just pulls the ball out the air. Everybody in the stadium
goes wild, we lost the game in overtime. but it was still a great catch. The best
catch i ever seen, and he had a lot of great ones. That's why he's my favorite wide
receiver ever. &nbs! p;I still got love for you Javer!
---- Jarad Dillard
Class of ' 01(#27)
(Ted's note: The play detailed above was a 61-yarder on third-and-27, yes, third-and-27
with 1:50 left in regulation. Javer was a first team All-City pick. He caught 11 TD passes
and had 666 yards.)
Dear Ted,
One of my most memorable moments as a senior at M. L. King high school
was at a Lincoln football game. It was in the beginning of the season and as Lincoln
kicked the ball, I watched as the players of Kings varsity team scurry to retreve the
ball. Then my boyfriend Donald Jefferson # 23 came from the backside of the field and
caught the ball. He ran threw as many players as possible until he leaped across the goal
line and scored.
Keep doing do your thing boo.
---- Juanita Figueroa
Bloomsburg University
hello Mr. Silary,
My most memorable moment of last
year's public league season is a bad memory. It's the memory of the tragic high school
career ending injury of one of the leauge's best offensivelinemen, Ben Franklin's Marvin
Atwell (penn state university student and prospective half back) in the first round of the
play-offs against Central High. Atwell broke his leg in the second quarter of that game.
Marvin wasn't a big linemen but most certainly was a very powerful part of Franklin's
offensive line, defense and jermaine smith's 1,000 plus yards season. the great number 55
is missed and remembered by the Franklin family.
---- For The Glory,
A former player
(Ted's note: Severe injuries are always rough. We wish Marvin well.)
One of my memorable moments as a manager of M. L.
King's varsity football team would have to be last years thanksgiving game against G-
Town. I stood there on the side line shivering from the cold harsh weather, screaming
"yall can do it", as I distributed out water to the players on the field as
well as off the field. I arrived with the team and awaited as the last minutes of the
final quarter began to decrease. Then the end came and as one of Kings seniors, Terrell
Heard, crossed the goal line, I screamed with joy, because I knew we had the touchdown,
but the referee call the play back and we didn't get the point. The clock was down to its
last seconds and the whistle blew that the game was over. I couldn't believe it we
actually lost. I looked over to my left and saw my boyfriend Donald Jefferson # 23, who
just moments ago attempted to get a touchdown also, break down in tears as his heart sunk
to the bottom of his body. He was so hurt and he had the most confidence that the
thanksgiving game of 2000 was theirs.
---- Never forgotten,
Juanita Figueroa, Bloomsburg University
(Ted's note: Thank you, Juanita. T-giving games are very important too all
involved. That's why that day is my favorite one of the season. I'm sure you and Donald
will be talking about it forever.)
That was a great story Anthony Franklin. I'll never forget
that game. I know
that NE will show up this year, because I have faith in them boys! Another
game that will always be in the back of my mind is that game we played aginst
Frankford the week before we played Washington. They played a hell of a
game, but we deserved to win that game. That QB Lancaster was hurting us with
that option man! Even though we lost I felt that every player was out there
giving their all and really busting their humps to win that game. I was very
proud of my team. Last year we faced alot of adversity and we kept fighting
every game. I know them Vikings will do the same this year.
---- Cameron Murphy OL
NE Class of 01'
Heres a memorable moment for me playing for
north catholic high it was
thanksgiving day of 1996 when we played frankford who then had eddie gaskins,
one of the best backs in city history. well anyone in attendance will tell
you there was someone on our side that day because on paper they were faster
bigger and supposedly better. But under the guidance of John Quinn we bested
frankford, 20-19, in one of the best games that day and many people have told me
that was the best game they have ever seen. I'd also like to thank Mr.Quinn
for what he tought me in three years he was truly a great inspiration ans
anyone who played for him knows what im talking about.
---- Jim Whitehead Jr.
(Ted's note: Many of the "best games I've ever seen" have
been NC-Fkd games.
It's a special series.)
I have so many memorable moments as a Public League
football player at
Bartram H.S. in the early 80's. As a youth growing up in the post gang war
era, there were many things that could have sent my life in another
direction. I thank God, my grandmother, and playing football at Bartram for
literally saving my life. Playing in the Championship game vs. Germantown
(and losing) gave me the desire to want to coach at 58th and Elmwood.
Playing in the City All-star Game for Coach Ferber and beating (what was
being called) the greatest CL All-star Football Team ever, featuring Rich
Gannon, taught me about pride. Coaching for ten years as an assistant (at
various places) and taking over a program at Martin Luther King that had a
record of 3-19 the two years prior to my arrival has truly tested my
perseverance. So when I finally get to coach my first game this season as a
head coach at 58th and Elmwood vs. Bartram I hope that the spirit of Coach
Frank Conway, Sr., touches me as a coach just as he did when I was a player.
I was born to be a Brave. However, depending on what the Philadelphia School
District does with its financial problems, I will die a COUGAR!
---- Damond "Smash" Warren
Bartram class of 83
Head Football Coach
Martin Luther King H. S.
(Ted's note: Damond has the energy, awareness and "feel" to do a nice job.
If King could ever keep the kids from its area, it would win the Pub almost every
year.)
Seeing that football season is only one month away i
figure its only right
that i share a memorable experience i had during my senior year. It happened
on October 27, 2001. We played Washington High in a pivital game that would
determine who would be in the playoffs. It was set up the previous week when
we lost to Frankford 26-22 and Frankford had lost the previous week to
Washington 17-0. Due to some stupid public league point system we had to beat
Washington by 11 in order to win the division and make the playoffs. We were
with our backs to the wall having lost the last 2 times to Washington 28-0
and 25-6. Many people declared Washington the winner before the opening
kickoff because they had ran through every team they played in the season .
But as we all know the game isn't won on who has the best team on paper or
the better record its who comes out with the most determination, who
excecutes their plays the best and who has the will power and courage to
battle to the end. My teamates were real excited to get the huge monkey off
our backs and tried to play without any pressure. Washington was known for
shutting teams out and running all over their opponents defenses. Well that
didn't happen when we played them. We set the tone and maintained our
composure. By far they were the hardest team we'd played during our season. A
few of their guys declared they'd shut us out and blow us out and off their
field. We played very hard and we scored twice. Our quarterback scored on a
beautiful option keeper and our free safety intercepted a pass and returned
it for a touchdown. As it turned out we actually shut their offense out and
kept them under control. We won the game 14-6 but didn't make the playoffs.
In our hearts we knew that if we got a shot a playing in the playoffs we'd
run the table but we didn't win by 11 so we couldn't compete for a
championship. We were upset but hey we beat the champs and everytime they
recall the season they'll want to play us again as much as we want to play
them. As this new season approaches i see maybe 5 teams that will all be in
the hunt for the championship. Washington of course has a good core of
players coming back. Frankford has a couple or all-public players coming
back. Mastbaum has been running their mouths and showing how proud they are
of their status. Bok always seems to find a way to shock the pub and competes
at a high level every year. Finally a team that many people my be counting
out is Northeast, my alma mater. They have 3 outstanding backs and a well
polished and experienced quarterback. Although they lost 2 outstanding
tackles the line will be just fine the two new tackles are just as strong and
are very skilled. They will pose a lot of trouble for many teams. GOOD LUCK
TO THE PUBLIC LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAMS AND REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR STUDIES FIRST
SO THAT YOU CAN HELP YOUR TEAM IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
---- Anthony Franklin #82 - NE 01
(Ted's note: Thank you, Anthony. You did a nice job as our
"leadoff batter"
for the 2001 season. Oops. Wrong sports reference. You did a nice job "kicking
off.")