Best Playoff Games . . .

Below you'll find my list of the 50 most memorable playoff games in Philadelphia scholastic
sports history. Because the Inter-Ac League does not hold playoffs, this list is limited to Public
and Catholic League contests (along with some City Titles). It's also limited to football, basketball
and baseball.
What makes a game "memorable"? Sometimes it's the sheer quality of the game itself, or a truly
special performance by one or more participants, or the historical context of the game, or the
fact that the result was a gigantic upset, or even the fan involvement during or after the game.
Mostly, it's just a feeling. Again, this is one man's opinion and please understand that it was
hard to come up with this order. (And harder still to cast aside many other strong contenders.)
Generally, games that decided championships received the strongest consideration for the upper
portion of the list. But as you'll see, games from earlier rounds are also sprinkled in.
I'll list these one by one, from 50 on up, pretty much on a daily basis. Later, I'll also list the best
games, by sport (not sure yet about how many for each).
Below my list are your comments about which playoffs in city history have most stayed etched
in your memory. Send to silaryt@phillynews.com.
Thanks for paying attention, and I hope you're enjoying your summer.
-- Ted Silary

No. 14
FOOTBALL
2006
Catholic Red Final
At Northeast
La Salle 14, SJ Prep 7
These private-school rivals canceled their Thanksgiving game and played
the next night before an overflow crowd. La Salle, a 42-14 loser in the regular
season matchup, survived in this one, despite being outgained, 390-175, by
forcing two fumbles at the 1 and making interceptions at the goal line and 1 yard
deep in the end zone. The Explorers' first TD came when Jack Forster and Rob
Saraceni forced a fumble within a whisker at the goal line and Greg Frantz picked
up the ball and dashed 96 yards for a TD; it was the longest fumble return for a
score in city postseason history. Saraceni had the other recovery while Mike
Donohoe (goal line, last play of first half) and Jack Forster (1-yard into end zone,
fourth quarter) made the interceptions. On the Prep's final play, JB Campanella
and John McBurnie combined for a sack. Andrew Wood (15), Campanella (13)
and Sean Saverio (11) racked up large tackles numbers as Prep ran 72 plays.
La Salle had zero rushing yards, but John Harrison passed 17-for-29 for 175 yards
(he finished with a city record for completions in a season, with 200) and a TD
to Joe Migliarese (7-84) and was sacked just once. It was the second time in three
years that a first-year CL coach won a title (Drew Gordon for La Salle, Joe Powel
for Wood in '04). The Explorers became the first Red team to win the title without
having the luxury of a first-round bye and just the third team in CL history to
capture a crown after losing three league games (also Judge in '81 and '83).
(Ted's note: The circumstances of this one still boggle the mind. La Salle gets
NO rushing yards, is outgained total by much more than 2-to-1, yet wins because
it forces FOUR turnovers pretty much AT its own goal line!!?? If this game had
occurred in college or pro football, the FBI would still be investigating.)

No. 15
BASEBALL
1988
Catholic League Second Round
At La Salle University
Ryan 11, Judge 10 (13 inn.)
This one featured 29 hits, 10 extra-base hits, 19 walks, 10 errors, seven
steals, the use of 32 players and lasted 4 hours, 13 minutes, not counting
an 8-minute rain delay. Soph Tom Billek, a backup shortstop, made his
first pitching appearance and posted 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for the
win. The winning run scored in the visiting 13th on Steve Devlin's suicide
squeeze. Jim McNesby had a two-run homer. For Judge, Doug Briggs went
2-for-6 with a double and three RBI. With no out in the home seventh, Ron
Brunner broke for home on an errant pitch, but catcher Jim Stafford recovered
quickly and tossed to pitcher Jim Yozallinas for the out.
(Ted's note: I did not see this one. Puck covered it and complained like crazy
that the game's length made him late for a summer league game/practice; I
forget which. If the name Steve Devlin looks familiar, well, he is now Wood's
football coach. Jim McNesby is the brother of Roman basketball assistant
Chris McNesby. As always for second stories, Puck got Billek's number and I
interviewed him later over the phone. He said, "When they told me to warm up,
I didn't have any idea I'd get in the game. I warmed up in the 10th, then they told
me before the 11th, 'If someone gets on, you're going in. ' I was nervous going
out there, but I was also excited about getting a chance to play. I didn't look at
anybody or anything. Just the catcher's glove. I don't think Judge took me seriously.
They were probably thinking, 'Who's this guy?' ")

No. 16
FOOTBALL
2000
Catholic Red Final
At Northeast
O'Hara 35, SJ Prep 10
Capping a sensational career, Kevin Jones posted four TDs and 196
all-purpose yards as the Lions rolled to an upset victory. He ran for scores
of 2 and 39 yards, returned a kickoff 86 yards for another and made a
34-yard reception of a Mike Lomas Hail Mary pass for yet another.
Lomas (6-for-12, 137 yards) also fired a TD pass to Ryan Barksdale.
Prep entered at 12-0 and thus became the first team with a perfect record
to fall in a CL title game since St. James in 1969. Kyle Ambrogi rushed for
50 yards and fell nine yards short of overtaking Judge's Bill Foley
(2,116 in '68) for the No. 1 spot in CL one-season rushing. Mike
McGann passed 18-for-37 for a game record 245 yards.
(Ted's note: Jones starred at Virginia Tech and is now in camp with the
Bears after previously playing for the Lions. Ambrogi, who played at Penn,
is remembered fondly by all who knew him. McGann starred at Temple
and was in camp with the Colts two summers ago; he's now assisting at
Prep . . . My biggest memory of this game concerned something not part
of the actual action. This was the beginning of my notes column the
following Tuesday:

Friday night, moments before the Catholic Red title game, St. Joe's Prep's players came
storming onto their sideline.

I didn't consider him a wiseacre. It didn't seem as though he was delivering the line in
we'll-show-you fashion. He merely appeared excited, like he wanted to direct a pregame
comment to somebody, anybody. I happened to be standing alone. In his path. No sweat.

The Prep, of course, lost to O'Hara, 35-10, and poof! went its hopes of a 13-0 season.

Long after the game ended, I was in my car, trying to squeeze out of the still-crowded
parking lot. I was looking straight ahead. Tap, tap, tap. Driver's side window. I rolled it down.

Prep coach Gil Brooks was not surprised by that story. He called McCauley "a wonderful
kid" and then told me a story. As an eighth-grader, McCauley was cut from the basketball team
at St. Margaret, in Narberth, but showed up to practice the next day. "The coaches didn't have
the heart to cut him again," Brooks said. "By the end of the year, he was starting".

No. 17
BASKETBALL
2007
Public League Round of 16
At Strawberry Mansion
Imhotep 80, Straw. Mansion 75
This featured some of the most noteworthy circumstances in city history.
In the first quarter, Mansion's Dwayne Davis (32) hit six consecutive treys.
No. 6 came on a shot while he was falling out of bounds in front of Imhotep's
bench. He later added two more treys and finished with 32 points, but the Knights
collapsed after he fouled out with 6:40 remaining. Imhotep, which entered the
fourth quarter down by 19 points, rang up a 31-7 advantage while forcing 12
turnovers. The three D-I signees, Tamir Johnson, Jermaine Washington and
Kashief Edwards (19), scored seven points apiece in the wild comeback.
Afterward, Davis and Washington were crying as they shared a halfcourt hug.
(Ted's note: I witnessed this one. Could you imagine seeing a guy hit SIX
treys in the first quarter? My mind was racing: he'll end up with 15, maybe 20!
Then, at the back end of the game, we had the great collapse after Davis
fouled out. Just as amazing, especially since Mansion was the home team.)

No. 18
BASKETBALL
2007
Catholic League Final
At the Palestra
Roman 59, Neumann-Goretti 56
Just when it appeared the Cahillites were dead meat, with just under
six minutes left, they overcame a 10-point deficit by roaring to 11
consecutive points in 1 minute, 40 seconds, and wound up scoring 17 of the
game's final 21 points. The win gave 21-year coach Dennis Seddon his 10th
title, eclipsing the CL record of nine by Roman's Billy Markward in the 1920s
and '30s and preventing N-G's Carl Arrigale from capturing his fifth in seven
years. Roman went ahead for good, at 56-54, with 2:22 left as members of the
team's two sets of twins did the honors: Will Kirkland (also Wes) scored on a
pass from Pitt signee Bradley Wanamaker (also Brian). Will Kirkland was the
defender in '06 when Derrick "D.J." Rivera hit his game-winner; he said he
wasn't himself for a whole month afterward. Bradley Wanamaker had 17 points,
six rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Wayns (13), Will Kirkland (12) and
Brian Wanamaker (10) also scored in double figures. N-G's leaders were Syracuse
signees/best buddies Rick Jackson (20 points, 18 rebounds, six blocks) and Antonio
"Scoop" Jardine (11 assists). Jackson's three-game playoff averages were 22.7, 14
and six. Will Kirkland sank the first of two free throws at 6.4 for a 62-59 lead.
Teammate Courtney Stanley grabbed the rebound of the missed second shot, then
clanked two FTs of his own. N-G's Jamal Wilson rebounded and passed ahead to
sixth man Mark Hatty, who hit the rim with a 24-foot, right-wing trey at the buzzer.
As the Cahillites began to celebrate, roughly a half-dozen, liquid-filled plastic bottles
were fired onto the court from high above N-G's bench. Roman's contingent sought
refuge in the locker room, then later returned to accept the plaque and cut down the net.
(Ted's note: Seven of these guys have played -- or, are about to play -- D-I ball, Not bad.)

No. 19
FOOTBALL
1982
Catholic League Quarterfinal
At Villanova Stadium
McDevitt 10, Judge 0
Pat Lawn scored on a 57-yard pass from Matt Kolen and John Moran
kicked a 31-yard field goal as the Lancers, making their first postseason
appearance in their 20th season of CL play, stunned the undefeated regular
season champs. Down linemen Bob Arnold and Chris Conlin combined for
35 tackles, including 20 solos.
(Ted's note: This was coach Pat Manzi's first season at McDevitt. Judge
had gone 8-0 in division play while winning seven of those games by at least
23 points. McDevitt was "only" 3-3-2 and lost to Judge, 28-0, in the regular
season. Arnold and Conlin played for Maryland and Penn State, respectively,
and the latter went on to the NFL. Conlin was part of a great sports family
(also Ken, Craig, Keith, Kevin). McDevitt's quality linebackers were Mike
Anderson. Yes, plural. Michael Stephen and Michael Sean; not related.)

No. 20
FOOTBALL
2006
Catholic Red First Round
At Northeast
N. Catholic 30, Judge 27
This was quite the red-letter occasion for North. Terrell Oglesby (12-195)
and Daryl Robinson (15-154) raced for one and two TDs, respectively, as the
Falcons rolled to 426 total yards and won a postseason game for the first time
since 1956 (12-0 over Lincoln for the City Title). Also, it was their first triumph
in a CL playoff since '37 (13-0 over SJ Prep in a final necessitated by a tie for
first place in the standings). In all, Robinson generated 265 yards of
rushing/receiving/returning and lost an 84-yard score on a punt return to penalty.
He did catch a scoring pass from Dennis Logue and make two of the Falcons' five
interceptions. Oglesby, Rich Cruz and Ryan McCullough also had picks. For Judge,
Andrew McHale scored on a punt return and a pass from Paul Volpe (7-for-16, 135,
two TDs).
(Ted's note: Robinson's performance was a masterpiece -- three total TDs, 265
yards of three Rs, two picks.)

No. 21
BASKETBALL
1981
Catholic League Quarterfinal
At the Palestra
St. James 58, Roman 56 (OT)
In the greatest upset record-wise in CL playoff history, the 7-7 Bulldogs,
who needed to win a preplayoff just to join the party, stunned 14-0 Roman
as Nate Hall collected 15 points and 10 rebounds, John McHugh added 10
points and eight boards and Paul Van Horn, accustomed to shooting less than
50 percent, went 6-for-8 at the line and dished five assists. St. James had lost
29 in a row to Roman. Tom Jones blocked Roman�s last shot in regulation.
Hall�s one-and-one conversion with 0:10 left in OT provided a 58-54 lead.
Roman�s Glenn Welton scored 20 points.
(Ted's note: This wound up being Speedy Morris' final season at Roman.
Tom Jones is the father of ex-O'Hara FB star Kevin Jones, now in the NFL.
St. James, located in Chester, closed in June 1993.)

No. 22
BASEBALL
1996
Public League Final
At La Salle University
Northeast 5, Central 4 (11 inn.)
Freshman reliever Pete Whittle, of Central, escaped jams in the ninth and
10th in amazing fashion, but couldn't quite do it in the 11th. After having to
remain at third and second, respectively, as two teammates struck out, R.J.
Farina AND John Griffin scored on an infield single to end it. On a 3-2 count,
Shane Best slapped a ball that was smothered by second baseman Nick
McCloskey at the back of the infield dirt. McCloskey made a desperation flip
to shortstop John Durso, who had no time to make a play on Griffin. Central
had taken a 4-3 lead in the top half on Steve Pietrzykowski's two-out RBI
single and had tied it in the seventh on Bob Dintino's sacrifice fly. Phil
Goodhead tied a city record by going all 11 innings for Northeast. He allowed
nine hits and five walks and struck out eight. Tim Greco had two RBI for Central.
(Ted's note: In the semis, Dintino was the hero in a win over Frankford. He
lived DIRECTLY across the street from home plate at Frankford's field. As for
Goodhead, the last time I saw him it was on TV! He made an appearance on
Wheel of Fortune when the show came to Philly a few years ago and made a
decent amount of money, if I remember correctly. Greco is the son of Central's
girls' basketball coach, Frank Greco.)

No. 23
BASEBALL
2001
Public League Semifinal
At La Salle University
Central 13, Frankford 12 (8 inn.)
Thirteen runs were scored in the one extra inning. A grand slam by Teddy
Lipford, who also doubled while going 3-for-4 with a walk, double and five
RBI, capped Central's seven-run outburst. Joe Manini and Will Bromley had
RBI singles as Frankford clawed back. With Bromley, the tying run, at third,
Adam Hartman grounded to Lipford, the shortstop, and was called out on an
extremely close play to end it. Noah White got the win, John Hickey the save.
Frankford pitchers Glenn LaBadie and Tom DiBello were used two times apiece.

No. 24
BASKETBALL
1980
City Title
At the Palestra
Overbrook 65, Roman 56 (OT)
Overbrook put the finishing touches on a 34-0 season -- the best record in
city-leagues history -- as Tony Costner collected 23 points and 15 rebounds,
Darryl "World" Brown added 14 points and five assists and John Bryant (12
rebounds) and Steve Black split 20 points. Costner scored eight points in a 15-6
overtime session. With 0:11 left in regulation, Roman's Randy Monroe went to
the line for a one-and-one. He hit the first shot to create a 50-50 tie, but then
missed the second. William "Vernon" Hardwick (jumper) and Costner (tap)
missed shots for 'Brook to make necessary the first OT session in the series
since 1943. Gerald Roberts (21) and Lonnie McFarlan (18) led Roman in scoring
while Monroe (14) and McFarlan (13) were tops in rebounds.
(Ted's note: This wound up being the final City Title game and Overbrook's
34-0 mark remains the best in city history. Tony Costner starred at St. Joe's
and is the father of Brandon Costner, of North Carolina State; he grew up in North
Jersey. Randy Monroe is the head coach at UMBC.)

No. 25
BASKETBALL
2006
Catholic League Final
At La Salle University
Neumann-Goretti 44, Roman 41
An exciting finish wound up leading to what was likely the darkest day in CL
history. Derrick "D.J." Rivera drained a left-wing trey with 1.4 seconds left,
and then dashed immediately down and across the court to a spot in front of
Roman's student rooters, who'd been heckling him hard all game. Players and
fans followed, the Roman kids threw debris, including plastic bottles, and a
Roman student received a cut nose when something was fired back. There were
also on-court scuffles involving adult N-G fans and police and a city-wide assist
call resulted in 100-plus police officers rushing to Tom Gola Arena. Two juveniles
were among six people arrested and the incident drew national attention. Though
intense and close, the game was not especially clean. The teams combined to
shoot 31-for-108 (28.7 percent) from the floor and 21-for-41 at the line (51.2)
and were guilty of 30 turnovers. Rick Jackson had 12 points, six boards and seven
blocks and helped hold Mike Ringgold, the South MVP, to two points. Roman's
Rockeed McCarter totaled eight points and 15 boards while Raymond "Doodles"
Sims mixed nine points, two assists and three steals. A week-long investigation of
the incident by principals, ADs and the archdiocese resulted in a suspension for
N-G coach Carl Arrigale for the first four games of the 2006-07 CL regular season.
Among other sanctions: no spectators for the N-G/Roman games.

No. 26
BASEBALL
1983
Public League Final
At Temple's Erny Field
Franklin 4, Roxborough 2
Deron Miller allowed five hits and one walk and struck out six as Franklin,
in just 1 hour, 37 minutes, became the first all-minority team (seven
African-Americans, two Hispanics) to win the PL title. Miller pitched all 21
of the Electrons' playoff innings, allowing 15 hits and seven walks while
striking out 17. Ron Friedrich, who got married the previous August and
quickly gained 40 pounds, had an RBI triple. Anthony McQuillar went 3-for-3.
Roxborough's Dave Coyne went 2-for-3 with a double.
(Ted's note: This Franklin group was a fun bunch and it captured the title
just before baseball, basically, became a non-factor for the city's African-
American kids. Scouts routinely used to check out Franklin/Gratz/U. City,
etc., and occasionally sent guys to the minors. Franklin's next very good
pitcher AFTER Miller, Terrell Berthau, spent some time in the minors, and
an outfielder from the Class of '78, Steve Harvey, reached as high as AA
Reading in the Phillies' system. By the way, Miller pitched those 21 innings
over eight days -- Thursday, Monday and Thursday again. Wouldn't be
possible under current rules.)

No. 27
FOOTBALL
1922
Catholic League Final
At Baker Bowl
Roman 13, Villanova Prep 9
In the dying moments of the game, Charlie McKinney caught a punt
on Roman's 5-yard line and zig-zagged 95 yards for the game-winning TD.
Villanova had taken a 9-6 lead earlier in the quarter on Vail's 35-yard
field goal. A 35-yard pass from McKinney to Francis "Dibby" Cassidy set
up the game's first score, Vince McNally's 4-yard run. Villanova countered
with Jimmy Quinn's 3-yard run. The Cahillites finished with a quite unusual
overall record of 7-0-4. Included was a 6-6 road tie against St. James, of
Haverhill, Mass.
(Ted's note: Baker Bowl, once the home of the Phillies, was located on
the southwest corner of Broad and Lehigh. Vince McNally became a star
at Notre Dame and still holds a record for returning two punts for TDs in
the same game. He later spent about 15 years as the Eagles' general manager.)

No. 28
BASKETBALL
Catholic League Quarterfinal
1974
At the Palestra
Dougherty 44, North 43
Paul Terrell sniped 14-for-22 and 2-for-5 for 30 points, including 10 in the
final period, as Dougherty stunned the 16-0 Falcons. The 30 points were a
CL playoff record. The other Cardinals shot 5-for-27. North led, 43-40,
but Terrell hit jumpers with 0:29 and 0:06 left and North�s Don Hobson
(17) missed a last shot. Lawrence Reid had 10 rebounds. North�s Jim
��Bozo�� Wolkiewicz had 17 boards.
(Ted's note: Dougherty's coach, Bob Harrington, said that week at the
Markward Club luncheon, "16-and-0 and down they go and don't quote me
until after the game." If I remember correctly, North posted one of its 16 wins
by something like 112-66.)Reid, then a soph, wound up being one of the CL's
finest athletes. He scored 42 points in a basketball game and rushed for 379 yards
in a football game -- long the city record until Curtis Brinkley broke it -- and
was a RB starter at Michigan. Wolkiewicz played hoops at La Salle.)

No. 29
BASKETBALL
1970
Catholic League Quarterfinal
At the Palestra
North 64, Bonner 50
As they�d done in 1968, the Falcons again turned a bizarre situation into
victory. At the scheduled 2 p.m. start, coach Fran Dougherty, thinking his
team was slated for the second game, was walking into the building and no
Falcons were warming up. Officials gave North 15 minutes to put a team
on the floor. When Dougherty reached the locker room, he found six
players (four starters). The fifth starter, 6-5 Jim Boylan, rushed to the bench
during the National Anthem and asked guard Billy Dever, ��Which basket is
ours?�� Gene Kweeder and Joe Rymal scored 18 points apiece. Dever (13)
and Boylan (nine) helped. Bonner�s Joe DiCocco scored 19 points. Two
main men missed the game � North�s Joe Rapczynski (broken ankle) and
Bonner�s John Cappelletti (sprained ankle).
(Ted's note: As for the opening reference . . . in '68, North's JV, filling in
for the suspended varsity, beat McDevitt in a quarterfinal at the Palestra.
Rapczynski coached North to the '87 CL title. Yes, John Cappelletti is THAT
John Cappelletti -- winner of the Heisman Trophy during his Penn State
career and a productive NFL rusher. He wasn't bad at hoops, either. The day
after this game, one of the Philly papers ran a picture of the court, taken from
high above. Bonner was warming up. North's end was empty.)

No. 30
BASEBALL
Public League Final
1989
At Frankford
Roxborough 7, Northeast 5
Folks are still having fun talking about all the wacky occurrences in this
one. The best was the triple play turned by Roxborough in the home fifth.
With runners on first and third, pinch-hitter Ed Kraus flied to leftfielder
Dave Brotherton. Jeff Weiss was out at the plate on a relay from third
baseman George Shepherdson. Catcher Joe Turvey spotted Tom Cross,
trying to advance from first, and fired to second for out No. 3. Twice
there were 10-minute arguments -- first when plate ump Ron Burgis
rescinded an infield-fly call and awarded Northeast's Mark Ertel a single
and later when Weiss batted in the No. 5 hole even though he'd entered
the game in the No. 7 hole. During the waits, Northeast's fans heckled
Roxborough pitcher Eric Kay about his 255-pound frame and brief,
fans-only scuffles ensued. Chris Deskiewicz, the No. 9 hitter, gave
'Boro a 6-1 lead with a three-run homer in the sixth. For Northeast,
Jim Callahan went 4-for-4 with one RBI on a solo homer.
(Ted's note: Turvey went on to play for a few years in the Cardinals'
farm system.)

No. 31
FOOTBALL
1978
City Title
At Kennedy Stadium
Frankford 27, Wood 7
In a driving rainstorm, which turned the natural surface at
Kennedy Stadium into a mud-covered mess, Frankford relied almost
exclusively on the straight-ahead running of fullback Joe Galasso, who
responded with 155 yards and two TDs on 30 carries. The Pioneers were
just the PL's third winner since 1951. Coach Al Angelo had been 0-8-1 in
city title appearances as a player, assistant and head coach. Chris
Yurkow ran for one TD and completed his only pass for another. Walt
Parrish made four tackles for losses and recovered an errant pitchout.
For Wood, John Kafel returned the second half kickoff 80 yards for a TD.
(Ted's note: Wood ran the wishbone in this era and the field conditions
were a major hindrance. When coach Angelo passed away recently, one
of his friends told me that a player had talked him into kicking off for the
second half even though Frankford had also kicked off to start the game.
Kafel returned it 80 yards for a TD. For our younger visitors, who might
not be aware, Municipal/Kennedy Stadium was long the site of the Army-Navy
game and is now home to the Wachovia Center.)

No. 32
BASKETBALL
1992
Catholic League Semifinal
At the Palestra
Dougherty 46, Judge 43
This game had the craziest finish in CL playoff history. With the score tied,
41-41, Dougherty�s Dave Black started a slashing move to the basket and it
appeared he was grabbed by Judge�s Chuck Hiller. A highly controversial
intentional foul was called at 0:09. Black hit two free throws and Cuttino
��Cat�� Mobley hit two more after the Cardinals inbounded the ball. At 0:02,
Dougherty�s Jerry Ricca was fouled after rebounding a missed three by Judge�s
John McGovern. But Dougherty�s fans, thinking the game was over, stormed
onto the court and the Cards were assessed a technical foul. Ricca made one
free throw and then Judge�s Danny Oldfield made two. On Judge�s inbound
play, Oldfield took a pass from Chris Cervellero and hit the back part of the
rim on a 40-footer. Both teams� fans then hurled trash at each other �
Dougherty�s from the floor, Judge�s from the stands. Spectators and the
media were banned from attending the next year when the teams met at Dougherty.

No. 33
BASEBALL
1983
Catholic South Preplayoff
At O'Hara
Roman 5, SJ Prep 4 (12 inn.)
Paul Barton homered with one out in the home 12th to win it. Pat DiCicco
went 2-for-4 with an RBI, was issued two intentional walks, gunned out two
base-stealers and made a great block-and-tag at the plate to prevent an 11th
inning run. Roman scored two in the seventh on RBI singles by Pete Boylan
and John Connor. In the eighth, Prep scored on a doubleplay grounder and
Roman's Fran Zehren had an RBI single. Prep's Vince Bonaventura and
DiCicco had RBI singles in the ninth.

No. 34
BASEBALL
1987
Catholic League Semifinal
At Temple's Erny Field
Bonner 19, St. James 14
In the highest-scoring playoff game in CL history, the Friars exploded for eight
runs in the visiting seventh to erase a 14-11 deficit. The leaders were Pete Klein
(2-for-3, triple, four RBI) and Chris Boyle (2-for-5, double, triple, five RBI).
Bonner was outhit, 16-8. For St. James, Jim Smith had three RBI while Neal
McLaughlin, Len Montano, Dave "Duke" Elison and Mike McBride had three
hits apiece.

No. 35
FOOTBALL
1979
Public League Semifinal
At Northeast
Lincoln 30, Dobbins 28
In the PL's first postseason night game, Wendell Birch passed 10-for-18 for
171 yards and three TDs (two to Curtis Morman) and ran 13 yards for the
winning score with 1:36 remaining. Zachary Armwood rushed 31 times for 113
yards and a TD. For Dobbins, Kevin Ingram rushed 17 times for 161 yards and
a TD and passed 4-for-13 for 108 yards. Kevin Dixon added 124 yards and two
TDs on nine carries and Cliff Carter posted a 53-yard TD on a punt return. The
teams combined for 34 first downs, 742 yards total offense and 197 yards on
returns (939 total).
(Ted's note: Ingram remains the best Pub QB I've seen since beginning to cover
the league full-time in 1976. He played at Villanova/East Carolina, and then in the
CFL/NFL. Carter starred in baseball at Temple, and then in an independent minor
league.)

No. 36
BASEBALL
2002
Public League Final
At La Salle University
GAMP 8, Northeast 6
The Pioneers, part of PL baseball since 1989, won their first championship by
rallying from a 4-1 deficit in the last three innings. David Scirrotto had an RBI
single in a three-run fifth and a two-run single in a three-run sixth. The run that
broke a 4-4 tie scored on a passed ball. Matt Sestito also had hits in each of the
three-run uprisings. The momentum swung when third baseman Jeff Colon made
an outstanding play on a grounder to end the fourth and keep Northeast's lead
from expanding to 5-1. Mario Malatino, on two days' rest, toughed out a 10-hitter
and went the distance. Northeast had runners at second and third with one out in
the home seventh when Malatino induced a popout and groundout to end it. Ken
Wlodarczyk went 3-for-4 with a double, triple and one RBI. Starting pitcher Ryan
Zastowney had a two-run single. Northeast committed six errors to none for GAMP.
GAMP, which had just 11 players in uniform (10 percent of the school's male
enrollment), won its four playoff games by six runs total.

No. 37
BASKETBALL
2007
Public League Final
At Temple's Liacouras Center
Prep Charter 49, Gratz 48: The Huskies survived as Gratz missed three "last
shots," one of which was launched after the game "ended." After 6-10 Markieff
Morris partially deflected a close-in flip shot by Josh "Scrap" Martin and 6-9
Marcus Morris, Markieff's identical twin, batted away Alibaba Odd's follow, the
clock melted down to 0:00 and the Huskies' fans/cheerleaders stormed the court
in celebration and "We Are the Champions" played over the sound system. One
problem: the clock should have been stopped. The referees summoned the Huskies
back to the court and put 1.3 on the clock. Martin inbounded to Charles White,
who missed a left-wing trey. PC's joy was repeated, this time with even more
intensity. Just two days after Neumann-Goretti's Rick Jackson posted 26 points,
17 rebounds and eight rebounds in a CL semi, Markieff went pretty much stat for
stat with 23-18-8. Marcus had 10 points, 10 boards and five assists. Gratz turned
three straight steals into six consecutive points and a 48-47 lead before Markieff took
a pass from Tyree "Chuck" Harris and followed his own miss for what turned out to
be the winning basket. Tommie "T.J." Sykes (13), White (11) and Ishmawiyl
McFadden (10) scored in double figures for Gratz. White added eight rebounds and
four assists. The loss made Gratz 7-9 in title games over the last 19 seasons, with
three setbacks by one point and two others in OT. (One of those one-point losses,
to Franklin LC in '94, was later erased due to the Bobcats' use of ineligible players.)

No. 38
BASEBALL
1980
Public League Quarterfinal
At Two Sites
Roxborough 7, Bartram 0
Due to an upheld protest, this game was played in two stages two days apart
at two different sites. Roxborough first "won" by 5-2. But the game was continued
from the spot where the score was 4-0 in the visiting fourth. The protest was over
a pickoff play -- after time was called, Roxborough pitcher Carl Soupik did not step
back onto the rubber before picking off Bartram's Mike Morton. Anyway, Soupik
wound up allowing two hits in 5 2/3 innings and Dave Knittel had a two-run homer.
The game began at Roxborough's field. It was finished at Roxborough and Henry,
Roman Catholic's field.

No. 39
BASKETBALL
1996
Public League Final
At the Civic Center
Edison 74, Gratz 68 (OT)
Mark Peterson shot 15-for-16 at the line en route to 27 points (nine in OT)
and added 10 rebounds for the Owls, champs for the first time since 1969.
Omar Logan added 17 points. After Gratz's Marvin O'Connor (35 points)
scored with 2 seconds left in regulation to provide a 58-56 lead, Edison forced
overtime on an amazing play: Tyrone Forrest made a three-quarters court pass
to Albert Crockett, who caught the deflected ball on a short hop and made
an all-in-one-motion turn and flip to the basket from 15 feet. The ball banked in!
(Ted's note: Peterson's teammates went 11-for-31 at the line. There was a
9-minute delay in the first quarter after players slipped on a Nike logo affixed
to the court. Workers couldn't scrape it off with razors, so they sanded it to
remove the slickness. Edison trailed, 9-1, at the time of Swooshgate. There was a
long delay after Crockett's basket as Gratz coach Bill Ellerbee herded his team to
the locker room, saying the clock had not been properly started and the basket
should not have counted. Ultimately, his players convinced him to return to
the court and finish the game.)

No. 40
BASEBALL
2004
Catholic League Semifinal
At La Salle University
Carroll 9, Conwell-Egan 8 (8 inn.)
The Patriots rallied from a 6-1 deficit, forced extra innings at 7-7 with three runs
in the visiting seventh (big hit: Colin McHale's two-run double) and held on in the
home eighth when Alex Szathmary was rubbed out at the plate to end the game
while trying to take two bases on a wild pitch. Catcher Matt Lisowski could not
locate Brian Rorick's wild pitch. Rorick wound up recovering the ball at the base
of the backstop and tossed to Lisowski at the plate. C-E's Tim Carroll went 3-for-4
with a double, triple, walk and two RBI. Kurt Bruehl added three hits, including a
double, and two RBI. Of Carroll's eight runs over the last four innings, six were
unearned due to five errors.

No. 41
BASKETBALL
2004
Catholic League Quarterfinal
At La Salle Univ.
Dougherty 66, Wood 63 (2 OTs)
The Cardinals avoided what likely would have been considered the second biggest
upset in CL playoff history -- behind only the win by North's JV over McDevitt in
1968 -- when sub Kyle Sample took a pass from Tim Smith (17 points, three assists)
and swished a right-corner trey with 2.1 seconds showing. Smith then batted away
Wood's final inbound pass. Dougherty was just the third team in CL history to go
perfect for two straight seasons and was the area's No. 1-ranked team. Wood entered
0-10 in regular playoffs and just two nights earlier had finally tasted postseason
success, downing North in a pre-playoff. Dougherty trailed, 54-49, with 35 seconds
left in regulation, but got to OT on a follow by Shane Clark (12 points, 1,009 for
career) and a trey by 6-7 center DeSean White. Wood point guard Matt Spadafora
had 16 points and 14 rebounds. Rob Pearson (15), Tim Walters and Brian Klumpp
(14 apiece) also scored in double figures and Klumpp's trey on a pass from Corey
Filer created a 63-63 tie with 0:26 showing in the second OT. Kyle Lowry added
10 points for Dougherty before fouling out with 2:17 left in the first OT.

No. 42
BASEBALL
1959
Public League Preplayoff
At Germantown
Northeast 3, Central 1 (10 inn.)
This one wasn't decided until PL baseball chairman Jerry Kean went to Connie
Mack Stadium to consult with the umpires (Bill Jackowski, Shag Crawford, Vic
Delmore, Al Barlick) who had worked the Phillies-Cubs game. They disallowed
a protest by Central coach Wally Bennett, who felt Carter Roskow, who stole
second, should have been allowed to score an eighth inning run (it would have
ended the game) when an overthrow rolled onto a runway leading to the locker
rooms. The umps made Roskow stop at third and the major league umps concurred.
(Ted's note: Shag Crawford is the patriarch of the famous ump-ref family from
Delaware County.)

No. 43
BASKETBALL
1996
Public League Round of 16
At Overbrook
Engineering & Science 75, Overbrook 73 (3 OT)
Lynn Greer collected 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals and
passed to Jameel Hawthorne for the winning three with 0:08 left. Thomas Darden
added 13 points, 10 boards. For �Brook, N�aim Crenshaw scored 26 points and
Dakaree �Cory� Rose had 19 points, 17 boards. Crenshaw was barely long with a
last-second three.
(Ted's note: Lynn Greer played briefly in the NBA and has enjoyed a productive
pro career overseas. Rose is the brother of long-time NBA performer Malik Rose.
The next year, Crenshaw was dating Greer's sister, Kelli, a star in her own right.
N'aim edged Lynn for the scoring title. Kelli kidded that N'aim, on his next visit to
the Greer home, "might have to stand out on the porch.")

No. 44
BASKETBALL
1991
Catholic North Preplayoff
At La Salle High
Dougherty 51, McDevitt 50 (OT)
The Cardinals roared to a 16-1 advantage in the final 4:14 of regulation and claimed
the win when Cuttino ��Cat�� Mobley (11 points, seven rebounds) hit a free throw with
0:08 left in OT after grabbing an offensive rebound. Shawn Newman added 11 points
for Dougherty, which lost five of its first six and eight of its first 11 before rallying to 8-8.
McDevitt got 12 points and 10 rebounds from 6-7 Mark Zataveski, but missed four
one-and-ones in the final 0:43 of regulation while allowing Mobley to hit a three and
Elson DeVan to can an uncontested layup at 0:05.
(Ted's note: Mobley is a long-time NBA player. Newman earlier set the record for
most points in one game by a CL player with 58 in a non-league game vs. West; he later
became a male model, changed the spelling of his first name to "Sean" and dated the
now deceased Lisa Left-Eye Lopes. Zataveski, a true big'un, played football at Notre Dame.)

No. 45
FOOTBALL
1997
Public League Semifinal
At Northeast
Frankford 63, Dobbins 29
In the highest-scoring game ever played involving a city-leagues team (or teams),
Eddie Gaskins (19-261, four TDs) and Herbert "Pitter" Sample (17-119, three TDs)
ran wild and Jim Nagle passed 5-for-8 for 115 yards and two scores. Frankford
scored on its first nine possessions. Bill Sheerin set a city-leagues postseason record
with seven PAT. For Dobbins, Andre Davis passed 13-for-23 for a city-leagues
postseason-record 306 yards and four TDs -- two apiece to Rondell Clement (5-165)
and Danny Johnson (4-134). In the waning moments, Dobbins's Khary Dennison
returned a fumble 61 yards for what appeared to be yet another TD, but a clipping
penalty was called. The teams combined for 903 yards total offense and 178 on
returns (1,081 total).

No. 46
BASEBALL
1992
Public League Round of 16
At Washington
Washington 31, Fels 2
The Eagles had 22 hits (six for extra bases), drew six walks and benefited from 11
Fels errors. Washington coach Joe O'Hara inserted all seven of his subs in the third
inning, told Jordan Nicgorski to wander off first base and get tagged out to end the
fifth and did not let his team bat in the sixth. Fels was a first-year PL member. Terry
Burstein had four RBI. Jamar Griffin and John Plunkett had three apiece. Nicgorski
and Herb Hoffman had three hits apiece. There were no homers. Washington's runs
by inning: 11, 5, 0, 7, 8.
(Mercy rules were not in effect at this time.)

No. 47
BASEBALL
1994
Public League Second Round
At Lincoln
Lincoln 9, Mastbaum 8
With rain falling, thunder crackling and Mastbaum coach Ralph "Bones" Schneider
being accused of stalling by several rabid Lincoln fans, the Railsplitters scored three in
the home seventh to win it. The winning run scored when centerfielder Renato Lajara
lost sight of Jim Keiser's easy fly and it dropped 15 feet in front of him, allowing John
Dempster to dash home with the game-winner. No more than 10 seconds later, the skies
opened full-force and everyone was instantly soaked to the skin. The downpour lasted
just three minutes. Keiser finished with four RBI. Ed Bowman and Fred Hansberry
homered for Mastbaum.

No. 48
BASEBALL
1994
Public League Preplayoff
At Gratz
Lamberton 24, Gratz 20 (8 inn.)
The game lasted 4 hours, 20 minutes. Lamberton scored five in the
visiting eighth to break a 19-19 tie as Bobby Melone and Bryant Horsley
had RBI hits. Marshall Kerdeman and Chris Griffin both had grand slams
en route to five RBI. Chuck Moran went four innings for the win. For Gratz,
which committed nine errors and issued 21 walks, Shawn "Reds" Smith had
three doubles for six RBI and Brian Samuels had five RBI.
(Smith and Samuels were primarily basketball players. Smith was the point
guard with Rasheed Wallace, class of '93, then played at La Salle.)

No. 49
BASKETBALL
1964
City Title
At the Palestra
Germantown 77, Dougherty 62
Dougherty saw its hopes of a 25-0 season dashed as Lou Gambrell shot
13-for-22 for 26 points, Charlie Orme added 16 points and Bob Reid and
Leroy Lark claimed 14 and 13 rebounds, respectively. Bill Nelson became
the first man to play in the City Title game for a champion (Bartram '44) and
then produce a champion as a coach. For Dougherty, Mike Kempski scored
18 points while Earl Williams (14, 13 rebounds) and Maurice Savage (13, 15)
were productive in two categories.

No. 50
FOOTBALL
1999
Catholic Blue First Round
At Northeast
Dougherty 26, Wood 21
Despite being outgained, 338-161, Dougherty became the first
city-leagues team with a regular season record as poor as 2-5 to win a
playoff game. Ben Dever passed 4-for-10 for 101 yards and two TDs to
Sarina Oeub (3-70), the first Cambodian native to make an impact in
city-leagues football, while Rodney Daniels (fumble return) and James
Jefferson (end-zone fumble recovery) scored defensive TDs. Wood's Sean
Murphy ran 22 times for 167 yards and the game's first two scores.

I hope the kevin Jones show will be a top 5. (PREP--O HARA Title game in 2000).
-- Ernie Gallagher
(Ted's note: Can't tip my hand, Ern. But common sense tells us it'll make the Top 50 -- smile.)
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One the greatest upsets of all time, the Phil Martelli led Bishop Kenrick Knights upset top ranked LaSalle in the first round of the CL playoffs in 1982. The year before, LaSalle had beaten a senior laden Kenrick team on its way to the CL title. The following year, LaSalle is the prohibitive favorite led by All City player Chip Greenberg. Kenrick loses every starter from its 81 team and relies on budding sophomore Brian Leahy and a team of scrappy role players to pull off the huge upset.
I assume the Kenrick '76 win over Michael Brooks and his West Catholic team will be included as well as one of the bigger high schools upsets of all time. Kenrick had no one taller than 6-2 but somehow found a way to beat the future college player of the year and his top ranked Burrs.
-- Dan Allerton
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Hey Ted what about the 2005 Judge and Roman play off game where judge won, that was the hardest and best game I think I've ever seen in high school football
-- Doug Ulrich
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I'd love to see the 2006 Catholic League hoops final between Neumann and Roman make the list despite the souring scene that developed after the game.
-- Matt Rogerson
(Ted's note: In the realm of "memorable," the post-game developments help -- smile.)
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This is Joe Crooks from prep charter and one playoff game i remember is Prep's 1st ever AA championship game in there school short history. The year before Saul blew prep charter out both times in the regular season beating us 12-1 the first meet and 17-7 the second time. The next year we would make it all the way to the AA championship were we would play non other then Saul. Going in with our heads high we came out victories winning our 1st AA championship and then winning it again the next year. That game meant a lot to us because we knew Saul was a good team and we have never beat them before.
MAY 17 2007 Class AA Final
Prep Charter 6, Saul 0: Josh DeSimone struck out nine in a seven-hitter while Joe Crooks (double) and Sean McGovern halved four RBI.
-- Joe Crooks
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I would hope that the 1968 (I think) Northern Division playoff game at the Palestra when North Catholic's JV team upset Bishop McDevitt's varsity would be in the top 5, if not the most memorable basketball playoff game in city history. It was like the high school basketball version of Rocky.
-- Bill Donohoe
(Ted's note: Or even Rocky to the 10th power, Bill.)
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I went to Central but lived in Cardinal Dougherty / Olney HS area. In 1968-1969 I believe Dougherty won every Catholic League championship. There were several great games along the way. The Catholic League football championship was played at Temple Stadium between Dougherty and Monsignor Bonner (with John Cappelletti). CD won, but it was a great game. The city Championship vs Northeast was not a great game at all.

Baseball was also a great city championship in 1969 at Connie Mack Stadium CD vs Olney. Olney had a really good public league team (Bobby Careless was their main pitcher). Paul Tucker from CD pitched a no-hitter in the city championship game!

Lost in all of the shuffle -there was a great city championship track meet in 1969! Dougherty vs Overbrook at Northeast. A real old fashioned dual meet 1 on 1. All of the athletes from football and basketball and everything were on the track team for CD. However, Overbrook won on the last event- the high jump - when David Bland missed on his last attempt to clear the height to win the whole thing. Both teams had legendary coaches - Jack St. Clair and the the 'Brook coach may have been Fred Rosenfeld, but not sure on that.

Also, Central vs Egan football 1970 at Franklin Field. First public league victory in like 13 years or so. That was a great game in that the pub had clearly fallen behind the cath for a long time, and Ed Veith figured out a way to win.

I will write back with more as I went to almost every championship from like '67 to about 76 or so.

-- Gary Ross
(Ted's note: About the '69 City Title baseball game . . . Paul Tucker, then a junior, was a very good friend of mine -- we used to attend Phillies' games together -- and he started that game only because the scheduled starter, a senior, was disciplined for cutting practice. Paul took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and then surrendered a single to another friend, Charles Sumter. We'd played youth baseball together. Charles is now the chairman of Public League basketball. He played in the minor leagues for a while . . . Some other items: 'Brook's track coach back then was Jonas Harding. He still officiates track meets. Great guy! CD won FB and baseball in the 1968-69 school year, but its basketball title came in '70. Paul Tucker was a starter on that team.)
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I know we lost this game, but i feel as though this is one of the best games ever in Public League history. I think this should be top 10..cuz of how crazy and exciting it was. It was reported by Amauro and it really was the game of the year. By the way, they didn't mention it, but i had 5 tackles and a sack that game...but it's all good....LOL..
-- Amos Leak
Semifinals
Doubleheader at Northeast
Northeast 7, Dobbins 6
Chris Banks (16-81) and Jeremiah Pitt (17-80, TD) collected almost identical rushing numbers and Chris Mountney's PAT made the difference. Kyle Sample posted a fourth-quarter interception and Rockeed McCarter recovered two fumbles. Dobbins' Rashad "Reds" Williams rushed 19 times for 92 yards and a score.
(Ted's note: Amos and Mike, a Mastbaum grad and FB player, are part of a legendary brother combo. They're long-time supporters of the site and it's always great to hear from them. "Famous Amos" is in the home stretch of pursuing a degree in sports administration and has been working this summer with the Sonny Hill League, among other endeavors.)
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I know my DAD won't like this but to this day he still has guys at work saying 16-0 and down they go. Dougherty beats North in the Catholic League quarters after North was 16-0 and not many games were close. My dad still says they were one of the best teams ever.
-- Mark Hueber
(Ted's note: Mark's note refers to the '74 season. Definitely a legendary occasion. Dougherty's coach, Bob Harrington, said that week at the Markward Club luncheon, "16-and-0 and down they go and don't quote me until after the game." He was right. If I remember correctly, North posted one of its 16 wins by something like 112-66.)
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I have a bad memory for me probably great from the folks at Ryan. I think it was 2002 I wasn't even at Judge yet but at La Salle University Judge had about an 8-10 point lead with 2 minutes left in regulation, despite the early "It's all over" and "Start the buses" chants by the students of FJ they couldn't finish it out Ryan came back to tie the game and take the game in OT where they won by about 10 tough night for the Judge guys but it's memorable.
-- Dave Durkin
(Ted's note: That's this one, Dave . . .
Ryan 71, Judge 61 (OT)
The Raiders overcame an eight-point deficit in the final 2:20 of regulation to seize the win. Andy MacDonald, a 6-2 center, shot 7-for-10 and 6-for-9 for 20 points and claimed 11 boards. Chris Kozole had 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, six steals. Kozole and Mike Devine hit gigantic treys in the regulation comeback. For Judge, the leaders were Kevin Pierce (15), Tom Keenan (13) and Ryan Haigh (11, five assists).
----
I may be a little biased here. I am hoping the double overtime game between Dougherty & Wood in 2004 makes the list. CD had four D-1 players and were taken to the brink of first round elimination by a Wood team no one gave a fighting chance too. There was some controversy surrounding a play late in regulation or the end of first OT I forget, in which a CD player got away with a pretty good bump on a Wood player that would have led to free throws. I think you mentioned it in DN next day. Anyway, probably the best High School game I have seen in person.
-- Blair Klumpp
(Ted's note: Here's the stuff from the DN article, Blair . . . Doubt your brother would have been able to get off a shot -- smile.)

Dougherty got to OT on a follow from Shane Clark and a three-pointer from center DeSean White.

It got to double OT when referee John Wisniewski, obviously believing the kids should decide it, declined to call a foul when Brian Klumpp was drilled while trying to catch a long inbound pass. Klumpp was 40 feet from the basket, and not facing it. The play began with nine-tenths of a second left.

And then . . . The Cardinals won it in glorious fashion as junior Kyle Sample, a guard substitute, took a pass from Smith, a senior point guard, and drained a right-corner trey with 2.1 ticks left.
----

Hi Ted. As soon as I saw that you were doing the top 50 I thought of my '74 CD team over North game at the Palestra. I'm glad that the astute Mark Hueber (regular Tedsilary.com contributor) mentioned it first. His dad, Tim & I have played in the same leagues since then along with many other Northern Division guys. My 2nd most memorable high school game was La Salle beating us in the next game led by sophomore Matt Mihalich.
-- Vince Shervin
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1995's public league quarter final between M.L. King and University City in which M.L. King won by a single point after Jamal Barlow scored with 16 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, and yours truely Malik Jones (Mr. Automatic) booted the clutch extra point for the win. King stars at the time were Jovan Roger RB, Jackie Colston OL/LB, Omar Green OL/DL, Vermar Tutt WR, Mark Daniels QB, Anthony Medlock C/LB and Barlow FB. Coached by Dave Sanderson. University City celebrated Ed Giddings WR, Reggie Manley QB, (That's all I can remember...Lol.). It was a tight game start to finish, possibly worthy of top 50 recognition.
-- Malik Jones
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My most memorable playoff game is the 1968 melt down by Father Judge to O'Hara. I've seen a bunch of great games at The Palestra, but I'll never forget the incredible momentum swing at that game. The crowd reaction was amazing. As the Judge fans assembled to storm the court in celebration of a championship, their Crusaders simply fell apart and the O'Hara faithful watched in disbelief as The Lions took advantage every Judge mistake. This has to be the most extraordinary comeback in CL Playoff history.
-- Mike Monti
(Ted's note: That's definitely a contender, Mike.)
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Football
     Father Judge vs North Catholic in a 2006 1st round matchup. The game was back and forth. There were a ton of big plays by both teams. It was a classic game by the two rivals. It was hard fought and very exciting. The 4th quarter brought the most excitement where there was like 20 something combined points scored in a matter of minutes. North Catholic unfortunately won but Judge had a chance on their last drive.
-- Fran McMenamin
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   Not that you asked for it but here is the list of my top ten most memorable playoff games that I attended. I hope that some of them make your list.
     10) 1992 CL final at Palestra. Roman 77-CD 68. I thought this special squad was destined (see memorable moment #1 Below) to end the title drought for the cards but unfortunately Roman was too strong inside for the Cards to handle.
     9)   After exciting win over Wood in semi�s heartbreak again for the Cards in CL football final in 1977. Prep 19-CD 7. Joe Rabuck seemed to run the ball every play and grind out first down after first down.
   8) 1984 CL football final Judge 17-Carroll 10. I though Carroll would win easily. Attended many of Judge�s games that year and never thought they were Championship caliber but Whitey and his kids proved me wrong once again in the post season. Memorable as it was the end of Judge�s championships under Whitey Sullivan.
    7) Baseball Pub final 2006 �Memorable played in NJ (Campbell�s field) and led to improbable PIAA run by Lancers.. Central 7- Frankford 1. Crisply played first five innings with game remaining scoreless. Lancers erupted in 6th to end Frankford�s dominance at least for a year.
     6) 1975 CL hoop championship Judge upsetting Roman 48-46 for first ever basketball crown. Judge had defeated CD and LaSalle to get to final and bittersweet for me who was attending CD but older brother attending Judge. Sat quietly with my Dad as bro was hollering from student section. Memorable as started a great run for Judge and Coach Bill Fox.
     5) Growing up on Frankford football the 1973 Pub final had a great finish with Frankord prevailing over Southern 14-13. Lots of late scoring. Late Al Angelo was coaching and his son Skip who was the Qb. Fun ride home from NE high on the route 59 bus.
     4) Basketball 1977 North division semi-final CD 49- North 47 at the buzzer. North again as #1 seed taken down by the Cards.
     3) Before a full house at the Palestra 1976 Northern Division final Kenrick 63-CD 45. Stunned in disbelief as we were taken apart by Kenrick. Although teams split in regular season we were sure that this was CD�s year. I was not surprised when Kenrick also defeated West Catholic for the title. That Kenrick squad defined team play.
     2) My first ever CD basketball game was in 1974 �sixteen and oh and down they go� echoed from the packed Palestra stands.. CD 44-North 43. What a fun way to be exposed to CD hoops before enrolling the following Fall.
     1) Before a big crowd at Palestra in 1992 Northern division final CD 46- Judge 43. What a fun team to follow all year just a bunch of good kids that were led by Cat Mobley. Teams split two highly competitive games during the regular season. This was the anticipated rubber match with the winner to take on Roman( surprise winner over O�Hara). Great finish to game that was very intense�yes it was an intentional foul and yes Judge hurled the trash onto the floor first. (Smile)
-- Joe LePera
   (Ted's note: Thanks to going to all this trouble. Joe.)
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The second round catholic league baseball playoff game North Vs. Judge in 2007 has to be one of the most exciting games i have ever been a part of. It was a classic battle between two neighborhood rivals. The game was back and forth all game and North led by 3 going into the 7th and gave up a dramatic grand slam over the blue monster at widener to give judge the lead only to have North tie the game on a two out double in the home seventh. North gave up yet another run in the visiting eight before scoring two more dramatic runs in the home eight, the last one also with two outs. The atmosphere of the game because of the judge north rivalry and the back and forth style and dramatic finish made it a classic.
-- Bob Hopkins
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My input for the top 50 playoff moments is a mcdevitt moments I don't think that will surprise you though because i am the biggest McDevitt bandwagon ever.
Early 90's(1994 I think) four seed McDevitt beats one seed Ryan 10-0 at Northeast. At the time Ryan had a huge playoff winning streak going for a ton of wins in a row, including 5 out of six championships, four in a row. McDevitt beat them 10-0 ending the win streak and advancing to the next round.
-- Anonymous
(Ted's note: Ryan had gone unbeaten in CL play for 47 consecutive games -- 45-0-2.)
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The most memorable championship game and inspirational game was when gamp defeated northeast in the 2002 public league playoffs. They went 5-9 in the regular season and defeated Frankford, which was undefeated that season. Frankfort has not lost a game since that game until gamp defeated them that year in an upset.
-- anonymous
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One of my favorite games; 1956 City Championship at the Palestra, where else. North Catholic vs West Phila. Led by led by 6�9� Chink Scott and Hubie White. North's Bobby McNeil scored 30 points to lead North to the title. In the semi-finals North beat La Salle at the buzzer on a tap in by Josh Keenan.
-- Ed White
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Ted, how are you these days. I love it when you reminisce about the greatest games of the past.
As an old North guy (class of 58) and also in the father's club from the 60's and 70's, I was around for most of North's great basketball teams. Ed White (Alumni pres.) remembers the '56 game against west Philly, but he really didn't get into the Catholic title game against La Salle. Ted, you never saw such a packed house at the old Palestra. I think every one of our 4,000 plus students were there plus as many Little Flower and Hallahan girls as could get in. LaSalle brought their full marching band in and I swear you could hardly hear them . I'm not kidding when I say the roof almost blew off the Palestra. We filled a good 3/4 ths of the seats and with the game going back and forth and back and forth all night you were sweating and your heart was pounding the whole game. To this day I still remember the last 10 seconds or so as if it happened yesterday. Our big center Zeke Slaveski tried to tap in an errant shot and it came out to the right of the basket where Josh Keenan tried to tap it back in and it missed again. When it came off the backboard again Keenan again took a swipe at it as the horn (that beloved horn) sounded as the ball dropped in for a thrilling 47 to 46 victory. The first title for North in the modern era. It started a streak of four straight tiles for the Falcons. Baseball, Football and Basketball again. Actually we were also in the midst of a 100 plus soccer streak also. It was a great victory and all who were there (except the Explorer fans) will never ever forget. Thanks for the forum.

-- Ed Wuillermin (Fablio N Fablio C)

PS I know there is always the big choke of '74, with CD. "16 and 0 and down you go" was the worst of all time. North won their 2 games against Dougherty by 30 and 19 points. Almost every game went the same. I never know what got into those guys, but it was a disaster. However nobody choked like Judge did through the years especially in 67.. but that's for another time...
(Ted's note: Great job on this, Ed. I have a feeling North guys don't mind it when Judge stumbles. And vice versa. smile)
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December 4, 1993
Dobbins ( 5-3-1) vs Mastbaum(10- 0)
Dobbins was down 16-0 @ the half, Dobbins stormed back to score 17 points in the 3rd and capped it off with another touchdown in the 4th. First and only Football championship in Dobbins history.
Weather : Freezing Rain

Field Conditions : Poor
-- Vinnie Mack
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McDevitt's '85 football team was ranked #1 in the city that year and was probably one of the best teams ever assembled in the city. We were seeded 1# in the catholic league and judge was #4. This was a sure win for us, especially knowing that we had just beat them 19-0 in the regular season. I will never forget the following incidents that were never told; First it was a great experience for us because it was played in the vet and our chests were sticking out graciously, unfortunately so were our coaches. One of our coaches whom I wont name decided to make these shirts up that said Northern Division champs and we pranced around the vet with them on during the pre-warmup. Well this definitely worked against us and we got our....... handed to us. Of this 85' team we had 13 All-Catholics and of the the 13, 9 were First Teamers. Thank God for the 86 and 87 Teams for they both won it all. Hey Ted, watch out for my son he's a burner for West Catholic.

-- Eric Young
(Ted's note: McDevitt had a tremendous run during that era, Eric. The upset parameters were not THAT dramatic, though, in '85. McDevitt had one loss in league play. Judge had just three.)
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While not a league playoff game, Central's 10-9 PIAA victory over heavily favored West Chester Henderson was memorable. West Chester Henderson was leading 5-3 after three. Central scored seven runs in the fourth. Two runs scored on a strikeout. With runnners on second and third, Joe Magdovitz struck out swinging and the catcher couldn't find the ball at his feet. When he did, he threw it into left field and Mike Braun scored from second. Another run scored when Josh Fleishman laid down a squeeze bunt with the bat almost in front of his face, on a pitch way up and in, to score Micah Wintertstein from third. Micah , unbeknownst to Josh, Micah was told to steal home and arrived at the plate, just as Fleishman made contact with the ball. Lest anyone think it was fluke, Central beat Central Dauphin 1-0 a few days later. Micah pitched five innings of three hit ball and Jared Farbman pitched the last two. The final out was a fly ball to center field that Fleishman caught just in front of the 390 sign at Spring Ford Stadium. Philadelphia's first PIAA baseball win and the first Philadelphia baseball team to reach the state semi-finals.
-- Dan Winterstein
(Ted's note: I remember these circumstances well, Dan. Truly wild and wooly.)
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1985 Northern Division Championship
Ryan 14 Judge 13
I remember being in 5th or 6th grade and my father taking me to this game. Judge I believe was coming off two straight Catholic League Championships- and stormed out to a 13-0 lead. Then late in first half or early second half- Judge franchise and QB I believe (Joey Garlick) got his leg busted on a kickoff return and Ryan came back to win the game.
If I remember correctly this is also the game Coach Sullivan missed because of a dance commitment with his daughter and he supposedly took some heat for it.
-- Kevin Murray
(Ted's note: Here's my recap for that one . . .
Ryan 14, Judge 13
Pat Smith passed to a diving Earle Masciulli for a six-yard TD
with 4:01 remaining and Masciulli added the PAT. The winning drive
covered 82 yards in 17 plays; the first 16 were runs. Rick Hollawell
(19-88) and Al Settembrino (16-65) led in rushing. Judge coach Whitey
Sullivan missed the game because he'd promised to take his daughter,
Kelly, to a father-daughter dance at Wood.
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Ted,
1998 Semi-final football game Northeast vs. Bok Tech. OUCH! To this day the most devastating loss I�ve ever experienced as a fan at any level HS, College or Pros. To quote you Teddy- �In a circumstances for the ages finish� NE 9 - Bok 8. A hard fought game between the �BIG� school NE and �little ole� Bok. A defensive struggle decided on the last play�a blocked punt with only seconds remaining. Bok had 10 men on the field when Poole from NE blocked the punt through the end zone for a safety. Bok QB Gadson played the 2nd half with a broken leg and a gashed chin. Players from both sides banged up and limping on and off the field. It was what HS football should be all about the effort, pride and never say die attitude. As a Bok fan I remember walking off the field dumbstruck, really�and trying to console Eddie Brumskill who was distraught but I couldn�t find the words. Emotional�? You bet. The bus ride back to 10th and Bigler and the locker room scene after is something I�ll never forget�but felt privileged to witness. Writing about it now brings back that �pit� in my stomach feeling again. I�ll never forget it and I�m sure those who were there won�t either. The thrill of victory and agony of defeat�all in 6 seconds. Thanks Ted
-- Joe McFadden
(Ted's note: This will be on the list, Joe. Definitely one of the most compelling finishes ever.)
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Ted........... really enjoy reading about the best playoff games. The comments by your readers are just as good.

Can't wait for the top 10.

-- Ray Fitch, George Washington ' 65
(Ted's note: Thanks for checking in, Ray. We're gettin' there . . . )
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I know this is Thanksgiving Day football, so it wouldn't qualify as a playoff game, but...
I remember being an 8th grade kid in Nov. '91 watching Ryan cruise to a 21-0 halftime against Washington, a team they'd never lost to before. I had an uncle who left at halftime (Ryan's D was allowing no more than six ppg those days) and refused to believe it when we told him Washington came back to win, 28-24. I can recall both punt and kick returns for TDs (the latter providing the final margin following a Ryan FG that put them back on top 24-22 in the 4th). Both teams went on to win league titles that season.
-- Bill Graham
   (Ted's note: An all-timer, Bill. No doubt. This happened, in part, because Ryan started inserting second-stringers with the 21-0 lead. Jamar Griffin scored twice for Washington on long returns -- 82 with a punt, 94 with a kickoff. Washington scored three TDs in 5 minutes, 54 seconds, and four in 12:04. Ryan had given up only 29 points in its previous nine games. Ryan entered this game with a 16-0-1 edge in the series.)
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I don't think it has been long enough to know how truly memorable this game will be but the past Public League final with Comm. Tech and Frankford was incredible. 2 OT's back and forth the whole time. My dad and I watched this game at home but I remember him the whole time trying to yell at Khayree Brown (an old teammate of mine and a good friend) in the early parts of the game for missing lay ups but in the 2 OTs he was yelling praises for how good he was playing. Big time players for both teams Tinsley and Randall played big and both put up good numbers. Malik Ballard (another former teammate) stepped up big time at the point guard position going for 20 and still remaining a true point guard. Great game to watch I only wish I was in the stands for it.
-- Dave Durkin
(Ted's note: Thanks for another contribution, Dave. Always ready for more . . . smile.)
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Ted,
   I came across your 50 all time playoff game list and couldn�t help but think of Tugger and what he would say. I tried to think of the most monumental games to him and there are obviously many. The couple I thought of are:
�88 McDevitt game � season opener where he had been telling you for months that we would end their 28 game or whatever it was streak. I still remember him telling me that he (and he also had my son, Chuck, do it) told you that �you were on the wrong side� when you stood on our sideline the first half (remember � he uncovered your pattern!) and when Philips kicked a field goal early in the game to give us a 3 � 0 lead � he said � �it�s over, Ted� Of course, this game does not qualify since it was not a playoff.
His favorite playoff win would be when we defeated LaSalle 9- 0 in the 1988 quarterfinal. He talked about it often. LaSalle was undefeated with a high-powered offense led by Jack Stanczak and had a couple other D-1 players. We had lost to them in the regular season the week before � I think 13-0 but I am not positive. No one gave us a great shot in that game because although we had some good, tough high school players on that team, we really had no D-1 types. But, we pulled the shutout off and Tugger was on cloud 9.
The other playoff game that he is still probably in God�s ear about is � of course � the infamous �83 Judge game where we lost in a swirl of controversy over Rooney�s TD turned fumble and the interference non-call interception at the end. He talked about it relentlessly. I remember that I would say: �Mike � it is twenty years ago and you are still talking about it.� His answer was always the same � �I think about it every day� and I would say: �EVERY DAY!!!� and he would affirm �Every day and When I picture it � Rooney scores every time!� I�m sure you heard the same comments as well.
     Another favorite topic of his was the 16-16 or something like that �63 city title game which was Egan�s first year in the PCL. I believe Egan tied Roxborough and safeties were involved if my memory serves me right.
     Two games I attended in high school and remember were in 1964 � Judge�s special playoff win over Dougherty at Northeast to break a Northern Division tie and Judge�s 19-18 city title win over Frankford that year.
     Of course � I�m sure he would also be telling you now that besides football, basketball and baseball that field hockey and, of course, softball should be included.
-- Chuck Knowles
(Ted's note: Chuck is the athletic director at Norristown HS, and formerly was the FB coach and AD at Egan/C-E. He was great friends with the legendary Mike "Tugger" Tos, who passed away last Dec. 4. Mike was indeed the guy who caught on to one of my old habits. I always tried to be on the sideline of winning teams in the second half because I figured it would help with my stories to be close by as games ended, especially from the standpoint of viewing/hearing emotional things. Once the word started to spread, coaches who noticed me on their sideline in the FIRST half would say, "So, you think we're going to lose today, huh?!" Some even told their players for motivation! smile. Nowadays, for website pic purposes, the location of the sun dictates where I stand. Sometimes, for night games, I still revert to old habits. Indeed, Tugger talked relentlessly about the Judge-Egan game Chuck mentions. La Salle's Jack Stanczak was a great baseball player, as well, and spent some time in the minors. Thanks for remembering Tugger with this note, Chuck. I still can't believe we're heading into a FB season without him. Life is sometimes beyond unfair.)
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I really enjoy The top 50. Last years Ryan-Bonner semi-final.. basketball game at the Palestra was one of the best playoff games ever. When Andrew Rogers just took over that game all by himself. A great individual performance. Ryan was a considerable underdog. Bonner had the height. Ryan's tallest kid was 6' 1' .
-- Bob Dillon
(Ted's note: That's why making decisions on this list is so difficult, Bob. Every year, there is at least one worthy candidate in all three sports in each league; often more. So, you can only imagine how many worthy candidates there are.)
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One of the most exciting playoff games I have ever seen was a basketball game between
Roman Catholic and Cardinal O'Hara in 1968.Roman lost in triple overtime with a last second shot by

O'Hara. It was played at the Palestra. What a thriller !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Michelle Fox
(Ted's note: The entire '68 playoff series was filled with legendary games. Here's the recap from that one . . .
O�Hara 57, Roman 55 (3 ot)
Sub Steve Maiocco, scoreless beforehand, nailed a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer to dampen Roman�s first playoff appearance since a prearranged preplayoff in 1959 (and before that in �49). Joe Hazinsky (17) and Tom Ingelsby (11) led in scoring for O�Hara, which had possession for more than 12 of the final 13 minutes. John Proud (15) and Keith Coady (13) led Roman.
. . . If I remember, O'Hara had the ball so much because it kept holding for "last shots." Tom Ingelsby played in the NBA and later coached at Carroll; his son, Martin, was one of the stars. This was Speedy Morris' first Roman team.)
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Ted,
I just wanted to make sure that I think several of the Kenrick games in the late 70's deserve consideration in you top 50. Please review:
- 1975, Kenrick/Judge ND Playoff Game at the VET
* We gave Judge their only loss during the season
* Kenrick outgained Judge by almost a 2 to 1 margin in the playoff game and had a game tying field goal as time ran out nullified due to an offsides penalty
* Yardage would have determined the winner should the FG have counted
* This resulted in a rule change the following year where a game could not end on an offensive penalty
* We lost 17-14
- 1976, Kenrick 54, West Catholic 44 at the Sold out Palestra
- 1972, St. James 29, Kenrick 27
* St. James won on a flea-flicker to end the game
* St. James is often discussed as one of the best teams ever (Kenrick may have been better)
They are my votes.
-- Bill Conners
(Ted's note: All three of these are good ones, Bill. The St. James team, as you know, received so much acclaim because it had several "huge" players. The funny thing is, I think the heaviest guy weighed 250, maybe only 240, and would be considered average-sized today. The '76 basketball team was incredibly fun to watch -- as you also well know, since you were a member of it (smile) -- and is fondly remembered by all who appreciate solid, team-oriented play, especially from undersized groups.)
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