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FOOTBALL: PCL Blue Division Preview - Creating a Legacy

By John Knebels - Video by Chris Williams & Angelise Stuhl, 09/12/19, 12:00PM EDT

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PCL Blue - Creating a Legacy

Featuring:

Richie Kimmel, senior LB, Archbishop Carroll - Zaire Hart-Hawkins, senior QB, West Catholic Prep - Sean Reilly, senior DB/QB, Conwell-Egan - Charles Ingram, senior RB/S, Bonner-Prendergast - Joe Kelly, senior DE/LT and John Caponi, senior LG/DE, Cardinal O'Hara - Ronald Holmes, senior OLB, Neumann-Goretti - Tyrone Fowler, senior LB/DE, Bishop McDevitt - In the huddle with Bishop McDevitt!

By: Chris Williams & Angelise Stuhl

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – For a high school athlete, time flies. There’s no getting around it.

Finally accustomed to being a shiny new freshman, it’s time to elevate a notch as a “no-longer-a-frosh” sophomore. Within a few weeks of junior year come visions of pushing the seniors out the door to “take over” the school. 

The key question after graduation eventually becomes – what kind of a legacy was left, both as an individual and a teammate? Whether stars on the field or mature leaders in the locker room, players provide countless memories for their younger peers to either ignore or emulate. 

In the Catholic League Blue Division, three different programs have captured titles – Cardinal O’Hara in 2016, Neumann-Goretti in 2017, and Conwell-Egan in 2018. Their considerable contributions continue to inspire the next generation.

In addition to a quick review of 2018 and a synopsis of how the 2019 non-league season has treated the Catholic Blue, one representative from each of the eight teams described what “legacy” means to them. 

Through three games, the Eagles again appear formidable, though not nearly as dominant. They defeated locals Martin Luther King and Roman Catholic before losing big to Penn Charter.

Conwell-Egan was incredible last year. The Eagles swept all seven of their league games and finished 13-1, losing to Middletown in the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals. 

Five different players have scored on the ground, and four different players have scored through the air. Against Roman, sophomore Ronald Jones touched the pigskin twice. He took a handoff and sped 50 yards to the end zone; he caught one pass and jaunted 37 yards to paydirt.

CEC senior captain Sean Reilly notes players to watch this season and talks about what has attributed to Egan's 2-1 start:

“Legacy is something that you leave behind for the future so people can look back on what you accomplished,” said first-team All-Catholic senior linebacker Chris Majors. “This year is my last year in high school. I’m trying to set my standards high in everything in school, on the football field, around the community . . . just being a great person and leaving knowing I have everyone’s respect and courage. That’s my definition of legacy.”

West Catholic placed second at 6-1 and 12-4 overall, ultimately losing to Southern Columbia in the PIAA Class 2A semifinals. The Burrs and first-year coach Brian Wood are 2-1, with lopsided wins over School of the Future and Hudson Catholic sandwiching a blowout defeat at Paramus Catholic.

Senior quarterback Zaire Hart-Hawkins has already thrown for 578 yards and five touchdowns. Seniors Carl Smith and Troy Athill have combined for 27 receptions and 405 yards. Senior Julio DaSilva has caught two TD passes and returned an interception for a score. Senior Nelson Mandala Mensah also took a pick to the house. Senior Rickquan Rivera earned second-team All-Catholic honors on both the offensive and defensive lines.

“West Catholic has a legacy of great players and many successful people,” said Hart-Hawkins. “From the football aspect, (West Catholic alumni) student-athletes like Jaelen StrongCurtis Brinkley, and Rob Hollomon all come from similar situations and did what was necessary to get where they are today.   

“We try to continue the legacy by winning and chasing our goals to become successful people. We have been heavily influenced by many alumni from the 2010 state championship team. They did what it took to be successful and further their legacy to Division 1 football, and some made it into the National Football League. 

WC senior captain Zaire Hart-Hawkins says the Burrs have been working hard and are ready to win a league and state title:

WC first-year head coach Brian Wood talks about his initial goals and creating his own legacy at the helm of the Burrs:

“They took their time to lay their knowledge onto us because we are said to be a reflection of what they were during their time here. We know the team we have has great potential to be champions.”

Bishop McDevitt (8-4 overall, 5-2 league) dropped a heartbreaking 34-33, double-overtime decision to West Catholic in the PIAA Class 2A sub final – amazing considering that, during the regular season, the Lancers were pounded by West, 41-0.  

The Lancers are 1-2, beating Central before forgettable losses against Archbishop Spalding and Germantown Academy. The offense revolves around first-team All-Catholic senior quarterback Lonnie Rice (300 yards rushing and four touchdowns; 418 passing yards and three TDs). Senior Tyrone Fowler is a returning first-team All-Catholic defensive lineman and a second-team offensive lineman.

“When I think of legacy, I think about the foundation that was set for us - the whole ‘Brick by Brick’ slogan,” said Rice. “The alumni set a great foundation for us to be successful.”

McDevitt senior Hakim Dodson says his Lancers are young and talented:

Despite a 4-3 record, Cardinal O’Hara (7-4 overall) competed for the division crown, losing games to Bishop McDevitt and West Catholic by a combined 14 points. This fall, after a 17-13 season-opening victory at Hudson Catholic, the Lions dropped a 28-6 decision to Father Judge. 

Senior quarterback Cole Sprague is a dual threat with his arm and legs. Senior Keed Kpoto gained 113 yards and scored a touchdown in the victory over Hudson. Second-team All-Catholic senior offensive lineman Joe Kelly returns.

“When I think about legacy, I think about the things you do and what they reflect about you,” said Kpoto, a first-team All-Catholic running back despite missing the final four games with a broken collarbone. 

“It’s the work you put in and your actions today that shape how people view you and how you view yourself. 

COH senior captains Joe Kelly & John Caponi talk about the lasting impact they wish to leave on the team:

“If your team always has a fiery intensity to win and carries themselves as winners, they will be known as such.”

Neumann-Goretti didn’t play a single non-league game and finished with a 2-5 record. But three games into the season, the Saints have already won more games than all of last season. N-G followed a 23-7 win at Bloomsburg with a pair of shutouts – 38-0 over Archbishop Ryan and 44-0 versus Canarsie (New York). 

With only three starters having graduated, the Saints might make a major push for a division title.

Star junior Tysheem Johnson–a first-team All-Catholic receiver and defensive back – has gained 367 yards and scored five touchdowns on only 33 rushes. Against Bloomsburg, Johnson rushed for 137 yards on 16 carries while senior teammate Malik Griffin collected 127 yards on the same number of hauls. 

On defense, the linebacker crew of seniors Ronald Holmes and Isaiah Gaddy, and sophomore Anthony Johnson has been very strong.

NG seniors Damian Gabriel & Ronald Holmes say the Saints return veteran talent who are ready to compete for a PCL and state title:

Senior Ubayd Steed, a standout transfer from Northeast High School, has two interceptions.   

“I think of legacy as something I want to create,” said Johnson, who plays virtually every snap. “Very few people even played football at Neumann-Goretti. I want to start a new trend and turn the program around. 

“I could’ve gone to any of the powerhouses in Philly, but I chose to create my own legacy and turn Neumann into one as well and be the greatest player to ever come from Neumann.”

Archbishop Carroll (5-6, 1-6) improved as the season continued, including a rugged 9-0 loss to Cardinal O’Hara in the PIAA Class 4A final without injured quarterback Russell Minor-Shaw.

It’s tough to get a gauge on this year’s edition, as a 14-7 win at Haverford High was followed by losses at Seton Hall Prep and Haverford School.

Now a senior, Minor-Shaw contributed consecutive triple-digit production on the ground and has accumulated 304 rushing yards (and three touchdowns) along with solid passing numbers (46 of 75 for 560 yards and five scores – all of which were snared by five different receivers). With 15 catches for 169 yards, junior tailback Jahlil Warren has been Minor-Shaw’s go-to receiver.

ACHS senior captain Richie Kimmel says the Patriots are ready to win and leaves advice for his underclassmen teammates:

First-team All-Catholic senior linebacker Rich Kimmel is a force. Junior Malachi Hansen has intercepted two passes. 

“When I think of legacy in football, I think of something a player does out of their will to be remembered,” said Kimmel. “For example, respecting people off the field, having good character, and having a great work ethic that doesn’t go unnoticed is a great legacy to have, especially at Carroll.

“The legacy we are trying to leave here is that we’re hard working, respectful, have good character, and willing to do whatever it takes to win.”

Lansdale Catholic (2-7, 1-6), how under new coach Dom D’Addona, started the season with an exciting 44-42 win over Father Judge. The Crusaders then lost to Penn Charter but rebounded to whip Wissahickon, 47-0. 

Star running back Dan Dutkiewicz continues to augment his outlandish statistics. Already with 390 yards and six touchdowns on only 47 carries, Double Dee has amassed 3,031 career yards (2,784 rushing; 247 receiving) and a combined 27 touchdowns (26 rushing, one receiving). 

Junior QB Jeron Phillips has completed 34 of 49 passes for 585 yards and seven touchdowns. Seniors Pat Daly and Pete McHugh have caught two touchdowns apiece. Senior Joe Caponi is a returning second-team All-Catholic defensive lineman. Senior kicker Brendan Menges has booted three field goals and 12 extra points.

LC captain Evan Hannings is looking forward to his senior season:

LC first-year head coach Dominic D'Addona talks about his goals this year:

“I hope that my legacy teaches that determination comes with resilience and bravery,” said Dutkiewicz. “That, in order to improve, you must want it, and you must earn it. I hope that my pride and love for the game inspires people to never give up even when in doubt. Football isn’t just a sport; it’s who I am.” 

Bonner-Prendergast (3-8, 1-6) jumped the gate and is feeling good about its collective self. A 21-9 win over neighborhood rival Upper Darby was followed by a 27-0 blanking of Avon Grove six days later.

Junior quarterback Kyle Lazer (17 for 26, 265 yards, two TDs) and second-team All-Catholic senior running back Charles Ingram (160 yards; almost seven yards per carry) lead the offense. On defense, senior Oscar Uduma and sophomore Mason Peterson have scored touchdowns, and junior Ibrahim Diallo has two interceptions.  

MBAP's Charles Ingram talks about his role as a senior captain and stresses the importance of going 1-0 each week:

“Over at Bonner, we talk about playing for the ones who came before us all the time,” said second-team All-Catholic receiver Jim Welde. “We encourage those who played to come back and see what they built and hope we can improve on their building blocks they set down for us.”

 

(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.comor on Twitter @johnknebels.)