FB Players of the Week, '08

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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 2008 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, Public and Inter-Ac schools (one offense, one defense). We will take nominations
through Tuesday night.
    Goofy nominations won't be posted.
    We encourage coaches to make nominations, especially to make sure we are aware of
special line play ("anonymous" is fine). Players can win just once through the regular season;
everyone will again be eligible in the playoffs.
    Send nominations, with the reason you're nominating the player to silaryt@phillynews.com.
    As always, thanks for your interest/help.

    We will NOT post e-mails after the fact concerning the Player of the Week choices, positive
or negative. Once the results are posted, the nomination e-mails will be deleted. Performances by
players in competitive games, and/or those considered upsets, will generally carry more weight.
    Thank you,
   Ted

  Once again this year . . . The week's best performance in defeat (and
we'll pick just one player each week in the Inter-Ac. Sorry, guys.
But the league IS much smaller than the others -- smile.)

  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.

  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.***

WEEK 11
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Sean Cunningham, Wood, RB
  Rushed 31 times for 210 yards -- his second consecutive 200-yard
playoff game -- and two TDs as the Vikings bested Conwell-Egan,
44-14, in the Class AAA final.
Defense
Ray Manuel, W. Catholic, DB
  Made five tackles and returned an interception 64 yards for a score
as the Burrs deflated Bok, 55-0, in the AA City Title game.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Terrell "Mouse" Barringer, Dobbins, KR-QB
  Returned the opening kickoff for a score and added two more rushing
TDs as the Mustangs handled Mastbaum, 33-6, for AAA honors.
Defense
Clarence Cohen, Franklin, LB
  Recovered two fumbles (or maybe three -- reports vary -- smile)
and returned one for a TD as the Electrons leveled Lower Moreland,
22-6, in a state AA playoff.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Neil Willis, Malvern, RB
  Contributed two TDs and 138 yards of rushing/receiving to
help the Friars beat Chestnut Hill, 18-0, and do what they
almost always do -- win the Inter-Ac title.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Anthony Johnson, SJ Prep, WR
  Made four catches for 137 yards and a TD in the Hawks'
31-28 loss to La Salle in a AAAA semi.

WEEK 10
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Eric Petransky, Bonner, RB
  Ran for 129 yards and two TDs as the Friars topped Ryan,
24-7, snapping a 19-game CL losing streak.
Defense
Ryan Fenningham, Judge, DB
  Made two interceptions as the Crusaders topped Upper
Merion, 28-7. (Also ran for 71 yards and a TD in a backup
role.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Joe Clayborne, Washington, WR
  Turned all three of his catches into TDs (and 63 yards) as the
Eagles dumped Overbrook, 38-0, in a AAAA semifinal.
Defense
Brahkim Poole, Bok, DB
  Intercepted two passes, raising his season total to six and career
total to 16, as the Wildcats bested Franklin, 32-12, for the Pub
AA championship. Also recovered a fumble.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Joe Price, Malvern, WR
  Like Clayborne in the Pub, Price turned all three of HIS catches
into TDs (and a school record 170 yards) as the Friars rolled past
Penn Charter, 55-21.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Billy Morgan, O'Hara, RB-DB
  Contributed 217 yards of rushing/receiving -- highlight: a 99-yard
run from scrimmage -- and two TDs in the Lions' 48-21 loss to
La Salle. Also posted a pilfer.

WEEK NINE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
John Howell, Lansdale Catholic, QB
  In his second game after returning from injury, he accounted for
321 yards of offense and six TDs (four rushing, two passing) in a
43-0 win over Neumann-Goretti.
Defense
Chris Kennedy, Carroll, E
  Made seven tackles behind the line, recovered a fumble and batted
down a pass as the Patriots, reversing a regular season loss, bested
McDevitt, 17-7, in a Class AA semifinal.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Tim Freiling, Northeast, K-P
  Kicked a pair of field goals, the ninth and 10th of his career, and
recovered his own onside kick as the Vikings topped Bartram, 26-20.
Defense
Jamel "Redz" Haggins, Franklin, E
  Recovered a fumble, made an interception and posted a solo tackle
to prevent a "sure" TD as the Electrons bested Imhotep, 22-6, in a
Class AA semifinal. (Also caught a TD pass and set up another score
with a key catch.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
John Gormley, Episcopal, RB
  Contributed 154 yards of rushing/receiving and two TDs to a 22-6
win over Penn Charter.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Shaquille Gaskins, Southern, QB
  Generated 314 yards of rushing/passing/receiving and all 18 points
in the Rams' 32-18 loss to Mastbaum. Highlights: a 98-yard TD on
a sneak and a sensational, leaping catch of a 63-yard TD pass.

WEEK EIGHT
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Ryan Bond, Conwell-Egan, WR
  Made four catches for 76 yards and two TDs as the Eagles topped
North Catholic, 27-21. Another long catch set up a score. (Also had
an interception.)
Defense
Kadeem Custis, Neumann-Goretti, E
  His dominant presence on the line helped to force four interceptions
as the Saints bested Kennedy-Kenrick, 18-7. (Also a play-for-keeps
blocker.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Stacey Hill, Comm. Tech, RB
  Contributed 292 yards of offense, including 272 on the ground (just
16 carries), to a 34-14 win over Prep Charter. Also scored 20 points.
Defense
John Davis, West Phila., FS
  Notched one interception and was a game-long presence with big
hits/clutch plays as the Speedboys, huge underdogs, claimed a win
(21-14) over Bartram for the first time since 1995.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Joey Volgraf, Penn Charter, G-LB
  Recovered a fumble and notched two sacks among six tackles as
the Quakers surprised Chestnut Hill, 20-13. His second sack came
on fourth down in the waning moments with CHA at PC's 17. (His
blocking helped the offense generate 263 yards.)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Antwoin Allen, Olney, L
  Fashioned an all-time effort in the Trojans' 12-6 OT loss to
Germantown -- 16 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two hurries, one fumble
recovery and a batted-down pass on a conversion (it helped force
the extra session).

WEEK SEVEN
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Curt Wortham, Judge, RB
  Rushed for 158 yards and two TDs (had another erased by penalty)
as the Crusaders edged Roman, 14-13.
Defense
  None
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Tyriuq "Pop Tart" Gordon, Univ. City, RB
  Accounted for 20 points and 178 yards of rushing-receiving as the
Jaguars roared back from a 20-0 deficit to flatten Fels, 40-28.
Defense
Vernon Dupree, Washington, LB
  Involved himself in 11 tackles as the Eagles topped Frankford, 6-3,
in a AAAA Red showdown. (Was also the long-snapper for sr. K-P
Will McFillin, whose two FGs won it.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Michael Brown, Penn Charter, RB-DB-KR
  Rushed 14 times for 93 yards and scored twice on long KO returns
(85 and 86 yards) although the Quakers fell to Haverford School,
32-22. Also made numerous tackles.
BEST PERFORMANCES IN DEFEAT
Rus Slawter, Ryan, QB-DB-P
  Passed 14-for-28 for 193 yards and three TDs in the Raiders' 28-22
OT setback to heavily favored O'Hara. Also made an interception and
sent two of his punts out of bounds inside the 5.
Marty Bernard, Roman, Rec.-LB
  Made six catches for 94 yards and basically willed his team into the
end zone on its final drive; his 16-yard TD catch came at 0:00. As
always, was also a defensive stalwart (starting when he made tackles
on Judge's first three plays in the 14-13 loss.)

WEEK SIX
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Dennis Logue, N. Catholic, QB
  Passed for a school record of 281 yards (and helped WR Mike Scott
extend his own school mark to 193) as the Falcons bested Carroll,
28-22, on a late drive that erased a 22-21 deficit.
Defense
Evan Higgins, O'Hara, B
  Made eight tackles and returned a fumble for what proved to be the
decisive TD as the Lions topped Roman, 21-14. (With star RB Corey
Brown out with an injury, assumed top-rusher duties and finished with
86 yards on 14 carries.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Rasheen Tookes, Mastbaum, RB
  Rushed 26 times for 246 yards and accounted for all his team's points
as the Panthers topped Gratz, 14-6.
Defense
Antoine Fowler, Northeast, LB
  Yes, this performance came in defeat, but it was too impressive to
ignore. Made half of his 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in the
Vikings' 28-20 setback to Washington.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Dan Judge, Haverford School, QB
  Passed 9-for-10 for 103 yards and the game's first TD as the Fords
conquered Bonner, 19-0.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Tahir Basil, Roman, L-DL
  On defense, eight of his 11 tackles were solos and he notched two apiece
of sacks and TFLs. On offense, his blocking helped Kasseim Everett rush
for 129 yards. The Cahillites fell to O'Hara, 21-14.

WEEK FIVE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Eugene "U Turn" Byrd, N. Catholic, RB
  Rushed 29 times for 158 yards and both TDs as the Falcons topped
Lansdale Catholic, 13-0.
Defense
Drew Siegfried, McDevitt, B
  Made three interceptions and returned one of them for a TD as the
Lancers dumped Carroll, 28-6. Also credited with 10-plus tackles. (And
punted/made offensive contributions.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Jaron Turner, Olney, WR
  Turned three catches into 145 yards and two long TDs as the Trojans
bested West Phila., 13-0.
Defense
Elijah Douglas, Washington, B
  Made two interceptions in the Eagles' 58-14 win over Overbrook, and
returned each one for TDs. The distances: 31 and 37 yards.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Jon McAllister, Chestnut Hill, WR-PR
  Made three catches for 98 yards and a TD in the Blue Devils' 36-0 win
over Hill School. Also made several impressive punt returns and recovered
a fumble on defense.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Adam Nowak, Judge, WR-LB
  In the Crusaders' 22-18 loss to SJ Prep, he caught four passes for 95 yards
and recorded a sack among 11 tackles. Also forced a fumble.

WEEK FOUR
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Drew Loughery, La Salle, QB
  Passed for 318 yards and three TDs as the Explorers surprised SJ
Prep, 31-17, terminating the Hawks' 55-game CL regular season
winning streak.
Defense
Rob Hollomon, West Catholic, DB
  Posted two interceptions along with a fumble recovery as the Burrs
smoked Carroll, 63-12. (On offense, he turned seven touches into 263
all-purpose yards and three TDs.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Chris Pennington, Southern, RB
  Ran for 86 yards, returned a punt for a 88-yard TD and scored 22
total points in the Rams' 29-8 win over Edison. (On defense, he
posted a pilfer.)
Defense
Akeem Smith, Frankford, T
  Made eight tackles, with two TFLs among five solos, blocked a punt
and jumped to recover a bouncing squib kick as the Pioneers topped
Northeast, 20-6.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Justin Renfrow, Penn Charter, E
  His lengthy interception return for a TD began the Quakers' comeback
from a 13-0 deficit. Also notched four sacks and three other TFLs and
his batted pass led to a pick for a teammate. End result: 14-13, PC.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Shelton Jones, Prep Charter, QB
  Passed 10-for-16 for 204 yards -- more than doubling the school record
-- and two TDs in the Huskies' 35-14 loss to Neumann-Goretti.

WEEK THREE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Ryan Sejda, Kennedy-Kenrick, QB
  Passed 10-for-21 for 124 yards and two TDs as the Wolverines bested
Academy of the New Church, 26-22. K-K rallied from a 22-7 deficit and
won it with 0:08 left on Sejda's TD toss to Ronell Fairel.
Defense
Jamal Abdur-Rahman, La Salle, DB
  Notched an interception and seven of his nine tackles were solos in the
Explorers' 27-26 nipping of West Catholic, 27-26. (Also was a whirlwind
on offense, generating 196 all-purpose yards.)
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Tyron Cheeseboro, Bartram, RB
  Turned just nine carries into 266 yards and four TDs in the Braves' 38-0
romp over Mastbaum. His performance was highlighted by scoring runs of
78, 61 and 89 yards. (Also made 10 tackles on defense. Three went for losses.)
Defense
Marquis White, Franklin, LB
  Returned a fumble 41 yards for a score and made a tackle to preserve a
6-6 tie in regulation as the Electrons bested Roxborough, 12-6, in OT. (On
offense, he rushed 32 for 159 yards -- a TD was wiped out by penalty --
and made an over-the-shoulder catch for the winning 22-yard TD in OT.)
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Ibraheim Campbell, Chestnut Hill, RB-DB
   Produced 213 yards of rushing-receiving and four TDs as the Blue Devils
rolled past Lawrenceville, 40-6. Also made five tackles.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Sharif Smith, Furness, RB
   This freshman is now 2-for-2 in 100-yard varsity rushing performances.
In a 20-16 loss to Pius X Roseto, he collected 134 yards and a TD on 26
carries. Also ran for two conversions.

WEEK TWO
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Matt Della-Croce, Conwell-Egan, QB
  Accounted for 276 yards of total offense as the Eagles topped Carroll,
24-21. Passed 9-for-15 for 192 yards and one TD while rushing 12
times for 84 yards.
Defense
Dave Smith, Bonner, DB
  Seven of his nine tackles were solos and he recovered a muffed punt
to set up his team's TD as the Friars bested Interboro, 7-6, thus ending
a 24-game losing streak that covered four seasons.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Malik Stokes, Northeast, QB
  Passed 12-for-24 for a school record 253 yards and two TDs as the
Vikings jolted Judge, 17-14.
Defense
Ackeeno Jolly, Comm. Tech, DE
  Notched an amazing 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage (three
sacks), yielding 27 yards in losses, as the Phoenix topped West Phila.,
14-12. One of his stops produced the game-deciding safety.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Billy Conners, Malvern, QB
  In his first varsity start at the position, he completed his first nine
passes and finished 9-for-11 for 192 yards and three scores as the
Friars topped La Salle, 47-21.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Nikoli Norman, West Phila., DT
  Made six of his official stops at or behind the line of scrimmage in
a 14-12 loss to Comm. Tech. Also hustled for a behind-the-line
tackle on a conversion play.

WEEK ONE
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Mike Yeager, SJ Prep, RB
   Turned 21 carries into 122 yards and a TD as the Hawks, representing
the CL in FINE fashion on Day One as a full-fledged PIAA member,
registered a 20-13 road win over upstate toughie Parkland.
Defense
Alec Bonacci, Lansdale Catholic, LB
  Registered one of his team's five sacks and returned a fumble 38
yards to the 10, setting up a momentum-changing TD, as the
Crusaders, brand new to the CL, bested Downingtown East, 14-7,
in their opener.
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Offense
Akmed Greene, Roxborough, RB
  In his varsity debut, rushed 23 times for a school record of 235 yards --
yes, that's a first down per carry -- and two TDs during the Indians'
22-12 win over Edison.
Defense
Kevin Bryan, Bok, NG
  Though only 5-9, 175, he was a terror in the Wildcats' 22-0 win over
Southern in the first game at the new Super Site. Recovered two blocked
punts, doing the swatting duties himself on one of them, forced a fumble
and notched two apiece of sacks and TFLs.
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Terance FitzSimmons, Haverford School, RB
  Rushed 10 times for 169 yards and three TDs, and added a fourth TD
on a kickoff return as the Fords flattened Radnor, 46-21. Got the game --
the first on Radnor's new artificial surface -- off to a legendary start when
he returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a score.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN DEFEAT
Kasseim Everett, Roman, RB
  A few days after committing to Delaware, Kasseim enjoyed a monstrous
performance in a 34-28 OT loss to West Catholic. Aside from rushing 18
times for 206 yards and two TDs, he amassed 344 all-purpose yards and
racked up a third score on an 88-yard kickoff return.