Duck Tales, Football 2013

Duck Tales
Football 2013

Jon "Duck" Gray is one of our most ardent website supporters. His main sport is basketball, but he has become a legend on the football trail, too. How cool is it that his nickname is a good fit with Tom "Puck" McKenna and Ed "Huck" Palmer? You may contact Duck at jdtrilogy@aol.com

NOV. 28
THANKSGIVING RIVALRY
PUBLIC-PUBLIC
King 32, Imhotep 30
What a way to start a Turkey Day rivalry??!!! This game was packed with big plays and contained a conclusion that was breathtaking!!Early on, Imhotep jumped on top with solid rushing from junior halfback Nasir Bonner and sophomore halfback Mike Waters that led to Waters� three yard run on the game�s first series. King answered promptly on their first drive with senior quarterback Joseph Walker found senior wide receiver Delane Hart for a 44-yard touchdown play. Imhotep would distance themselves in the 2nd quarter with a seven yard touchdown pass play from junior quarterback Andre Dreuitt-Parks to junior wide receiver Dennison �DJ� Moore that broke the 6-6 tie. King threatened to answer, driving into Imhotep territory, but an incredible interception was made by senior star Deandre Scott. Scott not only made the pick but contributed a 73-yard interception return which set up another Dreuitt-Parks to Moore touchdown pass play. At the half, the score is Imhotep 22, MLK 6. Imhotep rested their starters for the remainder of the game because they are only allowed to play six quarters in a week and given that the Panthers have a 2A state quarterfinal match-up with Catasauaqua on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., they opted to rest their starters the remainder of the game. King struck first in the second half with a Walker 63-yard run setting up an Ishmael Dargan touchdown run. King would score again with four minutes and forty-two seconds remaining when stud linebacker Jordan Alexander returned a fumble 47 yards to the end zone. After a defensive stop, King would get into the end zone when Walker found junior Emmanuel Clark from 18 yards out. The Walker to Clark touchdown gave the Cougars a 26-22 lead with just one minute and forty-six seconds remaining. So what do you think? Is the game over? Not even close, my friends!!! Imhotep responded with inspired play from talented sophomore Rahmir Johnson. R. Johnson had a 54-yard run that set up his 8-yard scoring run. On the ever important conversion play backup quarterback Nyeem Bonner found Amir Johnson to make the score 30-26. One minute and five seconds remained on the clock. The Cougars had no timeouts remaining. On third down, Walker found Hart for a 34-yard pass play. After a spike, there were 12 seconds remaining with the ball on the Imhotep 28. Then Walker hit a receiver with a pass but the receiver dropped the ball. (If he had caught the ball, he had about four yards to go for the touchdown.) Three seconds remained. Walker bobbled the snap, picked the ball up off the ground and threw a strike to Hart who caught it, turned and was in the end zone! No time left and King won the first ever Legacy Bowl Classic, 32-30!!!!

Sidenotes- MLK and Imhotep has the potential to be a white-hot rivalry, because it is obvious they do not like each other very much . . . King received an excellent defensive performance from freshman Maurice McCray, who was active all game and forced a fumble . . . Walker played defensive back in addition to quarterback and punter . . . Nice atmosphere. Not the normal overflow crowds of King-Germantown, but give the rivalry time and it should grow.

NOV. 9
DISTRICT 1/12 CLASS SUBREGIONAL SEMIFINAL
Imhotep Charter 53, Springfield Montco 7

This was a very interesting game. Springfield hung around with Imhotep for a half, as the score was 12-7 Imhotep at the intermission. Imhotep struck first with mega star Deandre Scott returning a punt 54 yards for a score on the very first play of the second quarter. Scott makes a big play every time he has the football (special teams, offense and interceptions). Scott also makes big plays when he is near the football on defense. Springfield responded with a touchdown on a halfback-option play and led briefly 7-6. Imhotep responded with a Nasir Bonner touchdown run which gave us the 12-7 halftime score. Third quarter and Imhotep showed their mettle as their vaunted running game dominated the second half. Bonner and backfield mate Mike Waters combined for five touchdowns in the second half. Bonner, a junior, ran 21 times for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns total. Waters, a sophomore, ran 10 times for 128 yards and 3 touchdowns. Imhotep, also, got an aerial touchdown as Terrill Gillette hauled in a 27 yard pass from junior quarterback Andre Dreuitt-Parks. Imhotep�s offensive line led by Temple signee Aaron Ruff and tackle Taleem Muhammad was ultra impressive in the second half as they wore down the Spartans.

Sidenotes- A nice football atmosphere for this one which sets up a PIAA District 12 City 2A Championship meeting between Imhotep Charter and West Catholic.

NOV. 7
NON-LEAGUE
Central 36, Prep Charter 6
What an interesting contest this game was. Central took control of this game early, as Prep Charter committed turnovers on its first three possessions. The Lancers� first score was a majestic 53 yard touchdown run from superstar halfback Walter Pegues. Pegues would be heard from early and often as the Central ground game looked impressive. The Lancers� second score was a 23 yd pass reception by wide receiver Solomon Fields from senior quarterback Jeff Coplin. At the half, Central led 14-0. Second half and Pegues has another majestic touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, he took off for a 65 yard touchdown run. Pegues ran 18 times for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns (he added a 45 yarder later in the 3rd quarter). Central�s running backs -- Pegues, junior halfback Ralph Hyland and senior fullback Jon Henderson -- combined to rush 35 times for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns. Hyland added an interception while Pegues and Henderson were active on defense as well. Speaking of defense, the Lancers defense was very solid as they were led by senior defensive lineman Ron Wilson. Pegues is fun to watch. He is shifty but what catches your eye is that he gets outside and has breakaway speed. Prep Charter had a difficult time getting things going. They had some good plays but could rarely �string things together� for a considerable amount of time. Sophomore halfback Quadir Strothers added a late touchdown on a nice fifteen yard run. One nice moment was a 33 yard pass play for senior wide receiver John Graham. Graham has missed the majority of his senior season with an injury, but he made a nice catch on his return to action.
Sidenotes- The conditions made this one football weather as the game started in the rain on a muddy field.

NOV. 2
PUBLIC AA FINAL
Imhotep Charter 53 Prep Charter 7

This one got started off with a bang. On the first play from scrimmage, Imhotep quarterback Andre Dreuitt-Parks connected with senior receiver Nasir Lewis on a 44 yard touchdown pass play. From there the Panthers began their romp, which was highlighted by two sensational punt return touchdowns. The first sensational punt return was a 77 yard return from senior defensive back Nyeem Thrones, Thrones received the ball on the right hash-mark and took the ball down the left sideline and sped away into the end zone. The second highlight film worthy punt return was by senior defensive back Deandre Scott. On Scott�s punt return he had to retreat to capture the ball and then he not only displayed speed and shiftiness, showed some strength as he broke tackles on his touchdown jaunt. Imhotep showed dominance as they led 21-0 after the 1st quarter and 41-0 at the half. In addition to playing well on offense and special teams, the Panthers have a dynamic defense led by Scott and senior lineman Tyrone Barge. Prep Charter had a couple of flashes of brilliance. Prep Charter junior quarterback Vian Dolo is a player; he showed some excellent ball handling skills and is a capable rusher as well as passer. Prep Charter played hard and competed non-stop but Imhotep just overpowered them.

Sidenotes- Nice cheerleading routine performed by Imhotep�s cheerleaders at halftime . . . It was great talking to clock operator Steve Kupsov before the game, Steve is an avid Boston Red Sox fan and the Red Sox were impressive in winning the World Series. Remember last year the Red Sox were in last place.

OCT. 26
PUBLIC AAA
Martin Luther King 30, Benjamin Franklin 14

Well, this one was an exciting contest, as two talented teams took the field. The Cougars struck first near the end of the 1st quarter when senior quarterback Joseph Walker connected with senior wide receiver Delane Hart on a 54 yard scoring pass play. The Cougars added another score when junior halfback Aaron Watkins went 11 yards with an option pitch to make the score 12-0. The feisty Electrons showed their resolve near the end of the first half, when junior quarterback Kevin Caldwell hit star Rafael Rodriguez with a perfect pass from 25 yards out. Add an extra point from sophomore Ismaila Saka and the score is 12-7 MLK at the half. 3rd quarter and MLK takes more control, Walker found senior tight end Brendon Jackson for an 18 yard touchdown play. Then Walker connects with Hart again for a 6 yard pass play and the Cougars� lead 24-7. Once again the Electrons came back using their efficient passing game to set up a passing touchdown. This time Caldwell found promising sophomore Javier Buffalo on an 11 yard scoring play. Interestingly, despite only scoring two touchdowns (and the Cougars had four touchdowns to that point), the Electrons only trail by ten points as the fourth quarter began. The Cougars added a fifth touchdown with Walker dashing 26 yards to the end zone with a little over seven minutes remaining. MLK did not convert a single point during five conversion attempts. However, they were led on the ground by junior Devonte Hunter who ran 15 times for 133 yards. Walker ran for 104 yards on nine carries. Also, with three passing touchdowns they showed their capability in the air. The MLK offensive line was led by seniors Dontae Angus and Frank Darden. The King defense was led by seniors- linebacker Jordan Alexander (2 sacks) and cornerback D.J. Brinkley (outstanding coverage play). Ben Franklin has a capable passing game with Caldwell and his bevy of receivers. Their vaunted defense did not have a great day. It will be interesting to see these two teams play again. What do you know? They will play again next week in a Public League 3A semifinal at Benjamin L. Johnston Stadium (Northwest Super-Site).

Sidenotes- This was senior night for Martin Luther King and there was a nice ceremony that preceded the game�A large weight football crowd was on hand highlighted by the Mt. Airy Bantams, but there were more weight football organizations on hand� Loud and involved cheerleaders for both the Cougars and the Electrons�Franklin had only surrendered 40 points on the season before this contest� King's Delane Hart had an impressive interception�Franklin is a tough squad, and no doubt will their its best to avenge this loss.

OCT. 25
PUBLIC AA SEMIFINAL
Imhotep Charter 55, School of the Future 0
This one was a complete mismatch; Imhotep Charter is a squad loaded with Division I-A (FBS) prospects and School of the Future is not. In fact, School of the Future�s team only consisted of twenty players total. Imhotep only needed eight plays from scrimmage to register 49 points on the scoreboard at the end of the 1st half. The Panthers have an impressive offensive line which has a Division I commit in Aaron Ruff (Temple) and could have more D-I players once the other players complete their high school careers. Behind that line are an excellent trio of halfbacks in junior Nasir Bonner and sophomores Mike Waters and Tyliek Raynor. Each of the three halfbacks registered a touchdown during the first half barrage. The Panthers� defense, which is led by a D-I prospect in star Deandre Scott, contributed two touchdowns as well. Senior Quadeem Starks had a 44 yd interception return and sophomore Shaka Toney added an interception return as well. Improving junior quarterback Andre Dreuitt-Parks had two touchdown passes; one a majestic pass play to Kalihf Clemons and the other a short pass to junior star Dennison �DJ� Moore. The only second half scoring came on a one yard touchdown run for Craig �CJ� McCollum. Imhotep had two punt return touchdowns brought back for penalties, the penalties negated touchdowns for Nyeem Thrones. The Firebirds struggled against their talented foe. Senior halfback Robert Hall, who played some quarterback (not just in WildCat), had some flashes of brilliance despite being held to 28 yards on 18 carries.

Sidenotes- School of the Future had some loud cheerleaders offering support throughout the game.

OCT. 18
PUBLIC AAAA GOLD
Central 40, Horace Furness 0
This contest was one-sided. Central took control early behind the play of superstar halfback Walt Pegues and fullback Jon Henderson. Henderson scored the game�s first touchdown and then Pegues added four touchdowns (three rushing and one punt return). Pegues ran wild against the Falcons� defense, using 18 carries to generate 250 yards. Pegues had several highlights and he displayed some serious speed on more than one occasion. The Lancer defense was a solid group effort as they did a great job containing Furness star tailback Kharee Ruley, limiting him to 30 yards on 20 carries. One Lancer who stood out was linebacker Brian Moseley while Furness received a good effort on defense from senior lineman Abraham Toussaint, who also serves as the Falcons� punter. There is some youth on the roster, so hopefully the young Furness players are learning during this season in Public 4A Gold.

Sidenotes- Excellent halftime performance by Central�s cheerleaders.

Martin Luther King 34, Boys' Latin Charter 8

This was an interesting contest played in the rain at Marcus Foster Stadium. MLK got on the board first with a fifty yard touchdown run from junior halfback Aaron Watkins. King added to their lead in the second quarter when star quarterback Joseph Walker connected with Delane Hart on a twenty-three yard pass play for a touchdown. At the half, the score was 16-0, King on top. Boys' Latin would answer in the third stanza, when quarterback Devaughn Shields took a run in from two yards out. Following a conversion run from Rasheed Wilson, the score is 16-8 and the Warriors were competing with the much larger King team. In fact, the Warriors were at the MLK three yard line to begin the fourth quarter. However, that was when the Warriors would falter with an interception from King junior Derrick Morton would give the Cougars some breathing room. Following Morton�s pick, junior tailback Devonte Hunter would score a touchdown and two more scores would follow to give us the final score. Boys' Latin played hard and competitive throughout with Shields leading the way carrying the ball 23 times for 84 yards. The young King squad received solid rushing performances from Watkins (6-116) and Hunter (11-94). The defense was led by Jordan Alexander and Morton, but they struggled to make tackles throughout the game. King appears to have lapses during games and as the season continues they will have to work hard to remedy that if they want to play up to their potential.

Sidenotes- A small but highly involved crowd was on hand for this game. They made noise throughout the game and they even had a guy with an air horn . . . A 4th quarter touchdown occurred when Walker dropped a snap, picked up the ball and ran to his right, then lofted a pass to Hart in the end zone . . . Boys' Latin kept the ball in the hands of four players on offense; Shields, star halfback Emmanuel Sloan, Wilson and freshman MB Harrison . . . King was on the home sideline and Boys Latin was on the visitors� sideline.

Mastery Charter North 13, Benjamin Franklin 6

What a game this one was! Both Mastery Charter North and Benjamin Franklin are hard-nosed ball clubs and this one was packed with emotion as the final result was not decided until the final second of the game. Mastery Charter North got out to a six point lead when star running-back Armani Fuller-Williams broke a run up the middle of Franklin�s vaunted defense from thirty-six yards out to give the Pumas a six point lead in the 2nd quarter. The Pumas held that lead until under a minute remained in the game. After much back and forth play, Franklin had a chance in the game�s waning moments and they converted on 4th down when quarterback Kevin Caldwell found sophomore receiver Javier Buffalo to gain the first down. A play later the Electrons are at the Pumas thirty-nine yard line as the clock is racing under a minute. Caldwell aired it out towards Buffalo and he made a fantastic catch for a touchdown with thirty-two seconds remaining on the clock. After Franklin missed the extra-point, the Pumas took over with good field position on their side of the fifty yard line. After two positive plays got the ball to the ten yard line with seven seconds remaining, quarterback Donovan Crabbe lofted a pass into the end zone which found Steven Kargobai with one second and three tenths of a second remaining. There were many things to be said about both sides but the one word that stands out is CHARACTER. Both teams have a never-say-die attitude and compete non-stop until the final whistle. It will be interesting to see if these two squads compete again.

Sidenotes: What loud fans both teams had. They were really loud as each team made their last minute drives and offered good encouragement for the players . . . Franklin has a weapon in senior receiver Rafael Rodriguez and an emerging threat in Buffalo. It will be interesting to watch this offense develop over the season . . . Jermaine Norris once again showed well for the Pumas; he is a bona fide PLAYER.

Delaware Valley Charter 20, Archbishop Carroll 13

These two squads made for an intriguing contest. The Patriots took control early in the 1st quarter behind the rushing duo of Austin Tilghman and Shawn Springs. Springs was able to put the Patriots on the board with a 24 yard jaunt in the 1st quarter. The Patriots maintained the lead until Nate Barnes gathered in a 27 yard pass play in the second quarter. On the play, the ball was tipped by the intended receiver and Barnes swooped in and gathered the ball while getting his foot down inbounds. Del-Val quarterback William Turner converted with a rushing play to make the score 8-7 Delaware Valley Charter at the half. On the first play of the second half sophomore Jahmir Nuble took a run outside and sped all the way to the end zone from 62 yards out. The Warriors then held a 14-7 lead. The Patriots would answer in the 4th period when Springs hauled in a 74 yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Nick Downey. Faced with a one point deficit, Archbishop Carroll elected to go for two. The chance for two was thwarted by a botched snap. The Warriors took over but were unable to post a significant drive. The Patriots would try again from deep in their own territory with four minutes and fifteen seconds remaining. After making some progress the Patriots sputtered. First, Downey was sacked for a twelve yard loss by Turner, who did yeoman work on both offense and defense for the Warriors. Then Downey is picked off by junior defensive back Jeffery Sampson, who returned the pick twenty-nine yards for a touchdown. The clock read fifty seven seconds remaining. Delaware Valley would try for two but failed on the pass play, so Carroll would get the ball again with a chance to tie or take the lead with a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Sampson would make another interception to seal this victory for Delaware Valley.

Sidenotes- The Warriors were coached by Clifford �Puck� Puckett; apparently some of their players and their coach were punished after an incident during last week�s game against Prep Charter. I wonder if Clifford has ever been confused with Tom �Hockey Puck� McKenna? . . . Tilghman is a good-size back at 6�2 215 and he played linebacker as well . . . Excellent jobs all game long by Delaware Valley Charter�s cheerleading team and band. They made it a large-crowd atmosphere despite not having a significant amount of people in the stands.

Roxborough 18, Horace Furness 14

This one was fun to watch as both teams competed hard. Furness was able to get on the scoreboard first, when quarterback Khaaliq Shuler scampered thirty-six yards for a touchdown in the early stages of the second quarter. Furness made the score eight to zero with a conversion pass play with Shuler finding Charles Spencer on a pass play. Roxborough was able to respond with a one yard run from tough junior quarterback Eduardo Sanchez. The Indians' scoring drive was highlighted by a twenty-six yard pass play from Sanchez to senior receiver Hank Adens. The Indians were able to make their two-point conversion, so at the half the score was knotted at eight. Roxborough took the lead with an eighteen yard field goal from Sanchez in the 3rd quarter and expanded their lead with Sanchez finding Adens again with a 62 yard passing play. Roxborough is not exactly a very large team on the offensive line but they did a good job in the second half of giving their quarterback time to make throws. On defense they got solid performances from linebackers Robert Taylor and Sam Robinson. Furness got solid rushing performances from Shuler and junior tailback Kharee Ruley. Shuler rushed 20 times for 86 yards and Ruley ran 16 times for 98 yards. Sanchez passed 7-for-14 for 151 yards. Furness closed the scoring with a 30 yard pass play with Shuler connecting with sophomore Diyadeen Whitaker. Whitaker was active on defense as well with eight tackles and an interception.

Sidenotes- This matchup was the Prince Hall Football Classic. The Prince Hall Masons sponsored this game and the proceeds went to both high schools . . . The Offensive Most Valuable Player was Hank Adens and the Defensive Most Valuable Player was Robert Taylor . . . As part of the classic this game was preceded by the Mt. Airy Bantams and Overbrook Monarchs weight football game.

SEPT. 6
PUBLIC AAA

Mastery Charter North 20, Martin Luther King 16

What a thrilling contest this game was. Mastery Charter North began this game by establishing their ground game with senior running back Armani Fuller-Williams. Fuller-Williams proved to be effective running against the Martin Luther King defense. Mastery Charter North�s line play was noticeably quick, feisty and agile, which made up for them being smaller than MLK � in the trenches�. The Pumas would score first when senior quarterback Miguel Azcona found superstar Jermaine Norris for a 30 yard touchdown on a 4th down and 6. Norris, who excels on defense as well as offense, is emerging as a force to be reckoned with in Public League 3A. The Pumas were not finished with scoring as they found the end-zone again with Fuller-Williams rushing in from three yards out with seven seconds remaining in the 1st half on 4th and goal. Twice the Pumas scored on fourth down, which means this fundamentally sound squad plays big at the big moments of the football game. The Cougars responded during their 1st drive of the second half, by establishing their ground game with junior running back Devonte Hunter and senior quarterback Joseph Walker. Walker scored on a one yard sneak play and after a conversion run from Hunter the score was 13-8 MCN with 4:56 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Once again, the Pumas would prove their mettle. Behind Azcona and Fuller-Williams they completed an eleven play, five minute drive with a Fuller-Williams four yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. Fuller-Williams had a big day on the ground rushing 23 times for 117 yards. The Cougars responded late in the game when Walker found superstar Delane Hart from 21 yards out. After, Walker�s conversion run the score is 20-16 MCN with only 1:12 remaining. Most football observers would think that the game is pretty much over. Well, most football observers are incorrect. The Cougars� Tileem Yates recovered an onsides kick; so with a little over a minute to go, King has forty-five yards to go for a touchdown. King showed their resolve on the drive with Walker scrambling sixteen yards for an apparent first down. The play is brought back because of a �block in the back� penalty. King only gained six yards on the play. Walker would not be discouraged as he found Hart again for a 17-yard gain. After a Walker scramble produced zero yards, Walker stopped the clock with a spike play with 14 seconds remaining. Walker scrambled again for nine yards and is tackled by Isaiah Tann. Some King players ran towards the line but the clock expired as they were regrouping. Walker, a true dual threat quarterback, rushed 16 times for 93 yards and passed 10-23 for 116 yards. Hart registered 8 catches for 113 yards and an interception. Walker and Hart are generating Division I interest and it is not hard to see why. Anyway, it was a fun game with some dynamic talent on the field and I expect to see some more in Public 3A.

Sidenotes- Nice crowd turnout fueled by the Mount Airy Bantams weight football program . . . Martin Luther King is being filmed for a Documentary and the camera people are brave. I mean, they ran on the field more than a few times to get footage. The documentary details the merger of students from the now closed Germantown High School with King High . . . It was nice talking with Jaime Ross, former Frankford basketball star, former Vaux state championship winning basketball coach and now teaching at King and assisting at Roman Catholic.