Before They Played for Pay, Anthony Walters

Before They Played for Pay . . . Anthony Walters

This story appeared in the Daily News in the fall of 2005, midway through October.
Anthony wound up choosing Delaware and, after starring there, he's now in training
camp with the Chicago Bears (August 2011).

O'Hara's Walters an all-around asset in victory over Ryan

By TED SILARY silaryt@phillynews.com

It's not too often a highly competitive athlete admits to embracing defeat.

Anthony Walters did so yesterday.

Wait, do you think we're going to tell you Cardinal O'Hara High was beaten by Archbishop Ryan in a Catholic Red football makeup played on O'Hara's practice field?

Nah. But we're also going to tell you Walters was not a beaten man as, finally, he headed to the locker room to hear the tail end of coach Danny Algeo's halftime speech.

"I'm glad I didn't win," he said, smiling.

He was talking about the competition for Homecoming king.

"[Wideout] Chris Myers and I were talking about that while we were waiting for the announcement," he added. "The Homecoming ceremony's a good thing and I'm glad they have it. But it can be embarrassing. It's kind of weird. You feel funny.

"I was happy for the kid [Rosendo Luna] who won. Then, all I wanted to do was get back in that football frame of mind. "

And that meant multitasking.

The 6-1, 175-pound Walters, who has been hearing from the likes of Boston College, Syracuse, Wisconsin and Delaware all season except during an injury period, has played quarterback while on offense.

Not yesterday, as the Lions claimed a 33-13 victory. He also lined up as a wideout and slotback and, as always, handled return chores.

What, no tailback?

"Not this week," he kidded. "I don't know if that's even going to come. "

Walters passed 3-for-4 for 48 yards, carried seven times for 17 yards and a touchdown and made two receptions for 17 yards on tosses from freshman Tom Savage.

"Coach Algeo said right after the La Salle game last week [14-0 win] that I got beat up pretty bad and that he was going to have to find me more ways to get me the ball with some room," Walters said. "I like quarterback OK, but I like this, too.

"The most fun I have is when I'm running the ball. So getting a chance at those [speed sweeps] is nice. Receiving? That's fine, too. But what I like most there is the running part. I'd rather make a 1-yard catch and then go for 39 yards than just make a 40-yard catch. "

The recent nonstop rain necessitated the switch from Springfield Delco and O'Hara's coaches did yeoman work preparing the field. There was no admission charge and since there's a hill behind O'Hara's sideline, many spectators stretched out on blankets. Others stood all over.

Joe Juisti led O'Hara's ground game with two TDs and 157 yards on 15 carries. John Dempsey (13-88) also ran for a score and Scott Taylor returned an interception 38 yards for a TD. For Ryan, Bob Kilchrist ran 6 yards for a score and Mike Davis (8-for-20, 98) flipped a 2-yard TD pass to his cousin, Rob McArdle.

Walters, who lives near 59th and Cobbs Creek Parkway, is unsure where he'll play in college. So is everyone else.

"Maybe seven out of 10 coaches say I project as a d-back," he said. "Which one I don't know. Some coaches say I'm tall and they could see me at safety. Some say I can move well and they'd put me at corner. I've actually talked to a lot of people about receiver, too. That's another reason this move is making some sense. "

So, what kind of career is Walters eyeing?

"I know what kind of career I want," he said, laughing, meaning the NFL. "But I have no idea as far as a major. I'll see what school I pick and what they have to offer."