Frog's
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NOVEMBER 23
THANKSGIVING RIVALRY
Neumann 61, Southern 6
Best move of the day was made by Sgt. Michael Anderson
of the 4th Police District. What could have turned into
an ugly scene was prevented by Anderson and his patrol, as they broke up a post-game
scuffle between the teams in about 30 seconds. With the score 41-6 at the start of the
fourth quarter and a running clock because of the Mercy Rule -- ahead by 35 points or more
-- it was strange to see the Pirates go to the no-huddle offense. The Neumann staff wanted
star sr. RB Pasquale "Pat" Narducci (23-115, four TDs) to go over
the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season. He was successful as he ran the ball on eight
of nine plays to go over the mark. Bad judgement by the referee who called a questionable
backward pass on Southern jr. QB Leon Pettyjohn with the score 47-6. The ball
rolled into the end zone and was recovered by Neumann jr. LB Mark Meighan for a TD.
You just don't make that call in a game that lopsided. An incomplete pass ruling would
have been just fine and no one would have said a word. Southern star sr. RB Ernest
Smith was frustrated all morning because he couldn't get outside for any substantial
gains. Great tackling by sr. LB Pete Cholminski (six) and jr. DB Les Durkee
(six, interception) prevented that. DL/OL Sherman Ellis (seven tackles) and jr.
DB/RB Demetrius Hayes (six) led the Ram defense.
NOVEMBER 16
NON-LEAGUE
Bok 50, Gratz 16
After watching Bok the last four years, I'm sorry to say that
I will not get to see two of my all-time favorite players anymore. The high school careers
of Ed Brumskill and Ramon Mills have come to an end. The
two seniors did not disappoint their fans in their final game. Brumskill rushed eight
times for 115 yards and one TD, with 101 yards coming in the first half. He also had eight
tackles with two for losses, including a sack. Although Mills came up one receiving
touchdown short of tying the city record of 22, he did score four TDs. Two were on passes
from jr. Kareem Jeffreys, for 21 and 34 yards. Another was a 22-yard
scamper with a fumble recovery and the other was a spectacular 83-yard kickoff return. His
tackle on Gratz's Wallace Johnson forced a fumble, which Bok's Rodney
McCarter picked up and raced 34 yards for a TD. For the day Mills had
three catches for 88 yards and 129 yards on three returns. This kid has it all!! Great
hands, deceptive speed, size (listed at 6'3", 215 lbs., but appears bigger), finese,
quickness, and just crushes people on defense. He's one of the best I've ever witnessed.
While Mills was crossing the goal line on his final touchdown, a Gratz fan shouted from
the bleachers, "He ain't no high school player, he plays for Nebraska." How
ironic. Bok coach Tom DeFelice told me over the summer that a Nebraska football
recruiter visited Bok and told him that Mills was one of the best he's ever seen in his 15
years recruiting. Bok's Zchagiel Monroe blocked a Gratz punt. While attempting to
leap over upback Eric Schubert, it appeared that Schubert picked up Monroe
with his block, which enabled Monroe to snuff the ball. Gratz RB/LB Willie Woods,
(who was MIA for several weeks; no explanation), had 3 TFL's totaling 21 yards and rushed
8/36 TD and conversion run. Plenty of trash talking by both teams. Two unsportsmanlike
penalties each. While on defense, Brumskill screamed to defensive coordinator Vince
Trombetta, "Hey, Pops, you're taking too long with your signals." To which
Trombetta replied, "Calm down. What did you have, nine
cups of coffee today?" Brumskill answered, "Yeah, now let's go, Pops." Nice
gesture by Johnson, who went over to the Bok team bus after the game and congratulated the
Wildcats.
NOVEMBER 9
NON-LEAGUE
Gratz 34, Overbrook 0
Just a horrible football game. Thankfully, only a handful of people
were there to witness it. Can you say INEPT? The Overbrook offense certainly can. It had
25 rushes for a grand total of THREE yards. That registers to 4.32 inches per
carry. I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist mentioning it. Oh, by the way, their combined
passing game was 2-for-6 for 3 yards. Although Gratz was led by sr. RB Wallace Johnson
(14-74) and sr. QB Rakiem Smith (4-75), the offensive player of the game was
Washington High transfer RB Eric Schubert, who led the interference on most of the
runs with some great blocking. Good hustle by Overbrook sr. RB-DB Donte Johnson.
Johnson revented two touchdowns by tackling and causing a fumble on Tony Wiggins
at the 6 after a 71-yard kickoff return. He also intercepted a pass at his own 3. Gratz DL
Brian Smith had two tackles for losses totaling 36 yards, and a hit to cause a fumble
which resulted in a touchdown for Derrick Peterson. Funniest moment occurred during
halftime, when just one Overbrook cheerleader performed on the field, while the others
watched from the stands.
NOVEMBER 3
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Franklin 27, Mastbaum 13
Plenty of pre-game hoopla. While in the south end zone, the entire
Mastbaum team gathered into a huge huddle, and started to jump up and down while shouting
"D.C.C….D.C.C… (Division "C" Champs, the winner was to claim
first place and home field advantage in the quarterfinals). They then took turns punching
the goalpost padding, proceeded to jog around the perimeter of the field, still chanting,
(a la Roman Catholic's basketball team), while Franklin was warming up. Obviously, these
intimidation tactics didn't work. The game's first TD, a 70-yard run by Mastbaum jr. RB-LB
Chris DeShields (13-165 yards), had DeShields sprinting around the left
side, with one man to beat, Franklin sr. LB-SE Patrick Sandlin. DeShields
hurdled over Sandlin at the Electron 35 and the rest was history. Franklin coach Allen
Rushing protested, but the officials explained that Sandlin was in a down or
crouch position, therefore the leap was legal. DeShields later was penalized for
the same infraction. Franklin sr. RB-LB Maurice Samuels punted five times for a
37.2-yard average. His four first half boots had the Panthers' average starting position
at their 24. Samuels also had nine tackles, two for losses, and rushed nine times for 49
yards and a TD. Franklin sr. RB-LB Jermaine "Beanie" Smith was
spectacular on 19 carries for 135 yards and a TD. Just wondering . . . How much does jr.
TE Jonathan Jordan really weigh? The portly receiver is listed at 6 foot, 240 lbs.
He did a nice job with two catches including a 9-yard TD. Fans along the Franklin sideline
estimated 260 lbs. Some said higher….They could be right.
OCTOBER 27
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Bok 40, Southern 13
"Go to BOK and B OK, make the team and you will
play"
At least that's the philosophy of coach Tom DeFelice.
Amidst all the controversy surrounding the wide margins of victories in the Public and
Catholic leagues, DeFelice refuses to ROLL IT UP. With his team ahead just 18-0 and over
two minutes remaining in the first half, and talented jr QB Kareem Jeffreys
back at the helm, Bok did not throw a pass or use any of its timeouts. They just ran out
the clock. Up 26-0 early in the third quarter, it was empty the bench time for the
Wildcats. DeFelice does admit, though, that sometimes it is difficult to get everyone into
the game: "It is not something you prepare for during the week, because you don't
expect to be ahead by a lot of points. However, if the situation calls for it, everyone
will play." Among those who played was fr. RB Akeem "Feathers" Green,
just called up from JV. After his first carry, a successful two-point conversion run, the
excited Green screamed out, "Touchdown, man, touchdown!" After being told it was
just a conversion he replied, "Two is better than none." Southern sr. RB/LB Ernest
Smith rushed 18 times for 152 yards and scored the game's final two TD's. As a result,
the Rams left the field on a positive note. Smith also made six tackles and had one for a
loss. The game's strangest play occurred in the third quarter when Southern jr QB Leon
Pettyjohn was hit by Bok sr. DB Ed Brumskill while attempting to pass. The ball
squirted loose and was picked up by Smith, who was crushed instantly by sr. DE Ramon
Mills, resulting into another fumble. The loose ball was picked up by Bok sr. DL Nick
DiPietro at Southern's 49. The former Ram ran to the 13, setting up Bok's fifth
touchdown. DiPietro later scored on a 41-yard interception return. Bok's offense
was led by sr. RB/DB Rodney McCarter (8-127, TD). An assistant coach from James
Madison University was on hand to take a look at McCarter, a speedster who excels on Bok's
track team.
OCTOBER 20
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Franklin 27, Edison 14
Franklin assistant Al Hill, an All-Public
selection in 1961 at guard for the Electrons, says he's ecstatic about the current
renovations at 29th and Chalmers and said, "It was
made possible by the city and people in the community, and it will benefit the kids in the
area". The steel beams that will support the stands are now up and the place is
beginning to resemble a football stadium. Edison sr. WR-S-P Jose Pagan
had his first punt blocked by Franklin sr. DL Tyrone Coffey, and his
second, a low line drive, hit off one of his own players and bounced back to him; he raced
11 yards to pick up a first down. Pagan later ran a kickoff 78 yards for Edison's first
score. Always a pleasure to see big, bruising RB's like Edison sr. Timothy King.
They not only get punished, they give it back. The other side of the coin is a back like
the quick and athletic Jermaine "Beanie" Smith, sr. RB-LB of
Franklin. Edison used rotating QB's, Keenan Wilson and Antoine Robinson.
OCTOBER 20
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Frankford 26, Northeast 22
Finally saw a good game, but only saw Northeast sr, RB Brent
Grimes run six times, although very productive with 153 yards and two long TD's -- 59
and 55 yards. I felt like I was cheated. That guy can fly! Also was impressive on defense
with 7 tackles. He was kicked in the head while tackling Frankford sr. HB Taron Freeman.
The game featured 80 rushes. Frankford was led by jr. FB Marcus Waddy. Frankford
sr. QB Lacey Lancaster was cautious and selective in his passing: 5-for-7, 107
yards, TD, no interceptions. He also ran 12 times for 72 yards, including 20 yards for a
touchdown. He was sacked once. Frankford's 6-foot, 250-pound sr. LB Shawn Williams
had some nice hits with 7 tackles, one for a loss. The game went down to the final 1:21
when Northeast sr. QB Noel Nation had trouble with his final handoff. Frankford
soph DE Michael Humbert (6-5, 240) recovered the fumble. Northeast's band marched
from the school to the field chanting, "WHO LET THE VIKINGS OUT." Northeast had
a big fan turnout.
OCTOBER 19
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Bartram 25, Southern 7
Heading over to 58th and
Elmwood, I expected a bad game, featuring Division D-leading Bartram and the winless
Southern Rams. However, the only bad thing was a 61-yard TD pass with 22 seconds remaining
(jr. Phil Evans to sr. Antoine King). Southern coach Bill Edger
refused to shake Bartram head coach Frank "Roscoe" Natale's hand after
the game. After Bartram jr. LB Ian Greaves sacked Southern j.r QB Leon Pettyjohn
on fourth down at Bartram's 14 yard line with 1:35 remaining, Edger knew his team's
valiant effort was not good enough. With subs entering from both sides of the field, Edger
sat on his two remaining timeouts and was in total shock when Evans lofted the pass. The
affair featured numerous hard hits, resulting in six Bartram fumbles (three lost)
and four Southern fumbles (two lost). The Rams put an early scare into the Braves when sr.
RB Ernest Smith ran right up the gut for an 83-yard TD. Is it possible for a
kickoff and five plays, including an incomplete pass, to consume seven minutes and 22
seconds? That's how the third quarter ended after Bartram scored its third TD, a 7-yard
run by sr. RB Shannon Booker. The scheduled 3 o'clock game started at 2:52.
WHY? Edger had no assistant coaches at game time. Assistant Fran Mackin arrived
minutes later. Bartram sr. K Frank Weedor easily made 5 kicks from 40 yards in
warmups. Very impressed with the Pettyjohn's mechanics. Great ball fakes. Several times I
found myself wondering, "Where's the Ball?" Good to see that Edger remains
positive and upbeat in spite of record. Plenty of instruction with limited criticism.
OCT. 13
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Franklin 20, Overbrook 6
This one was played at Bartram field, where it was good to see
actual grass, although brown, in the center of the field. No West Catholic and no CYO
games will help improve conditions. Nice play by 'Brook jr. LB John Lyles, when he tripped up Franklin sr. RB Maurice Samuels with a
one-arm tackle while laying face down, after being blocked out of the play. Good hit by
the Panther DB Chris Crawford caused a fumble
by Franklin sr. RB Jermaine Smith (13 carries,
70 yards). Crushing block by the Electrons' RG, Tyrone
Coffey, enabled Samuels to waltz in on Franklin's first touchdown. Franklin's
"D" limited Overbrook to ZERO total yards in the first half and 54 for the game.
The 'Brook's first legitimate first down came early in the fourth quarter; two
previous were courtesy of penalties. Franklin had 13 for 115 yards.
OCT. 6
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Bartram 39, West Phila. 0
This one was an O.B.O.! Otherwise known as an Official Blow
Out. The most exciting moment was on a PAT. when Bartram’s kicker, sr. Frank
Weedor, kicked the ball over the fence onto Locust Street, where it landed in
someone’s backyard. The ball was later retrieved after a West Philly student scaled
the tough wooden fence. Bartram’s defense limited the Speedboys to just 76 yards
total offense. West Philly sr. QB Rahkeem Styer-James threw four interceptions with
two being returned for TDs, Michael Gibson's 41-yarder and Romar Drake's 25-yarder.
Bartram jr. QB Phillip Evans reminds me of Temple QB Devon Scott by the way
he moves from the pocket. Look out for Bartram soph. RB/DB. Chironn Davis (5-8,
160); he showed some explosiveness. Jr. LB. Julius Davis sacked Styer-James
on fourth and goal from the 2 with just over a minute to play, to preserve the shutout.
OCT. 5
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Bok 42, University City 0
Well, it’s back to South Philly for another year of
football and another year of the Roger and Joe Comedy team, otherwise known as Roger
Durbano and Joe Calciano, two of Bok and Southern’s biggest boosters. It
was also good to see my good friend Joe McFadden Jr., who calls me in July
and asks, "Is it football time yet?" During the game I asked Joe to go to the
U.C. side of the field and inquire about a U.C. player's jersey number. When he asked the
girl who gave him the information for her name, she rolled up her sleeve and revealed a
tattoo on her arm with the name Lindsai. ONLY IN THE PUB! Thank you Lindsai Wallace.
The game wasn’t much of a contest. Bok played without jr. QB Kareem Jeffreys,
who had to sit out his second game due to health reasons. Sr. Ed Brumskill filled
in and only threw one pass, complete to sr. Ramon Mills, for 31 yards.
Mills, who wears a SUPERMAN shirt under his jersey, sure looked like the action hero when
he took a pitch out of the slot position, exploded from the left side, somehow broke two
tackles and went for an 83-yard TD. UC sr. RB Victor Santiago continued to run hard
the entire game for 45 tough yards on nine carries. Bok sr. LB Nick DiPietro (5-9,
155), a transfer from Southern, had 11 tackles, three for losses, including a sack. His
brother Steven, a junior, had two tackles for losses. Referee Ernie
Gallagher did a nice job of calling both teams to the sideline for a cooling off
period after a series of personal fouls and the ejection of a UC player. During that time
-- 29-0, late second quarter -- Brumskill screamed, "It is over!" Defensive
coordinator Vince Trombetta replied, "NnnnOooo." Late in the
game, Brumskill was dancing and moonwalking with the Bok cheerleaders. Thank God Coach
"D," Tom DeFelice, didn’t see it!
SEPT. 29
NON-LEAGUE
Bok 20, Dobbins 14
It was the Kareem Jeffreys/Ramon
Mills show as Bok defeated Dobbins in a very entertaining contest. Jeffreys, a
jr. QB, passed for 245 yards and two touchdowns while completing 10 of 14 passes. Mills,
a sr., caught six passes for 161 yards and one TD to lead the Wildcat attack. Bok's
all-purpose back, Ed Brumskill, caught four passes for 84 yards and a TD. Several
of Mills's catches were made in spite of tough coverage by Dobbins jr. Barren
Grier. The back-breaking play that put the game away was a second-and-11 from Bok's 7.
Jeffreys connected with Mills for a 45-yard pass play with just under six minutes
to play. Bok was able to kill the clock with three first downs, primarily via the running
of Brumskill and jr. Kevin Cheely (11-53). Dobbins was led
by versatile soph Khalif Boldin, who ran 14 times for 111 yards, punted five
times for a 30-yard average, played defensive back, and also served as the kicker. Having
watched Bok play for the past three years, one cannot help but notice the animated
conversations between Brumskill, the defensive captain, and defensive coordinator Vince
Trombetta. Former Philadelphia Phillies great Dick Allen attended a recent Bok
practice. Being from Western Pennsylvania, where football is considered a religion, he was
surprised that he could walk right on the field. He spoke with all of the coaches and a
handful of players.