Big Brother Led the Way, Football 2014

Wortham stands tall for Judge

By TED SILARY silaryt@phillynews.com

When you weigh 155 pounds, even finding yourself under one big defensive player can be a suffocating experience.

Two, three, four, more? Anyone have an oxygen tank?

"Oh, yes. There are times," Curt Wortham said, smiling. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just not going to ever get out from under the pile. Because I'm just so small. It's like I'm cracked. "

We'll assume he meant to add "in half," but don't let the tiny frame (he stands 5-6) lead you to doubt his abilities.

Wortham , a junior who entered training camp at No. 3 on the depth chart and now ranks as Father Judge High's workhorse rusher, produced in grand style Saturday during a classic of a Catholic AAAA football game at Abraham Lincoln.

The Crusaders edged Roman Catholic, 14-13, as Wortham turned 27 carries into 158 yards and touchdowns of 15 and 18 yards. A third score, a 35-yarder, was erased by a penalty.

The win wasn't guaranteed until 0:00 showed on a referee's timepiece (the clock doesn't work, folks) and Roman's Kyle Haber pushed a PAT to the left at the north end of the field. That deflation for the Cahillites followed the exhilaration of a 9-play, 80-yard drive that featured wonderful moments for Marty Bernard, who caught four Kevin Regan passes for 50 yards.

The capper was a 16-yarder, with a defender draped on his back, maybe 1 inch beyond the goal line.

When Haber's kick missed, it was impossible not to consider the irony: Roman last season won the Red title over St. Joseph's Prep on a missed PAT with 28.5 seconds remaining.

Wortham , who only plays offense, was a spectator to Roman's clutch drive.

"I kept having faith in my defense, but Roman was tough," he said. "I was pretty nervous. "

Two years ago Wortham was attending Northeast and looking for another school to attend after being told, he said, that his size would prevent him from ever getting a shot to play running back.

"I transferred here and now I'm getting my chance," he said. "Taking advantage of it, too.

"I think my size is an advantage, really. When I see a crease, I can squeeze right through it. I know I still need to work on my leg strength, and I'm doing that. They've got me living in the weight room. I was able to break a few tackles today, so seeing that the work is paying off gives me even more confidence. "

Wortham and Rob Harris were sharing tailback duties as this season began, and Wortham was even getting that shot because of a turf-toe injury to Ryan Fenningham (now back; had an interception). Wortham was much more productive in game No. 3, however, and Harris opted to leave the squad.

"I didn't look at the someone-leaving angle," said Wortham , who lives near 8th and Rockland in Logan. "I just saw it as my chance to step up. The coaches said I was the new starting back and that now I had the opportunity to make plays for Father Judge High. I'm just taking advantage. It's a whole new world.

"I've got a great relationship with my linemen and coaches. They push me to do nice things. "

Judge 's grunts were center Matt Schule, guards John Lavelle and Anthony Repici and tackles Tom Keenan and Jeff Brewer. Ryan Langdon and Kevin Leneghan were the tight ends.

Friday night, Wortham had an interesting phone conversation with a new buddy by the name of Kasseim Everett. Yes, Roman's Delaware-bound top rusher.

"We had some good trash-talk," Wortham said, laughing. "Who won? I can say it: He did. He's more cocky than me. But I made the plays on the field. "

Though TD-less, Everett turned 30 carries into 155 yards. Roman's other score came on a 1-yard sneak by Regan (9-for-28, 154). Judge quarterback Tony Smith, a soph, passed 10-for-17 for 172 yards, almost all to Adam Nowak (3-72), Langdon (3-65; Roman coach Joe McCourt is his cousin) and Tom Ryan (3-33, also a standout defensive back). *