The “Pick Six” - a turning point for a defensive unit, a wrench for the offense. PSD’s “Pick Six” highlights personal achievements, team highlights and unbiased turning points of our weekly Philadelphia Catholic League teams in their previously played league and non-league games.
By: John Knebels
PICK ONE
Including the fourth week of the 2017 football season, Lansdale Catholic senior Dan Dutkiewicz has played 23 games. It is fair to argue that he has engineered one of the finest scholastic careers of anyone representing the Catholic League.
His latest highlight reel was constructed this past Saturday night. At the home field of defending champion Conwell-Egan, the 6-foot, 210-pound tailback carried the ball 23 times and contributed 183 yards and both of his team’s touchdowns in a 14-9 victory.
“My consistent success didn’t come overnight,” said Dutkiewicz, who has yet to choose his college destination. “I had to work hard every day, day in and day out. I’ve got together with special trainers and worked on my speed, strength, and weight.”
In the 23 performances, Dutkiewicz has reached the 100-yard plateau 17 times. Of those, he twice hurdled 200 yards. In four of the six games he failed to reach triple figures, Dutkiewicz rushed for 97, 96, 90, and 86 yards. Of his 34 career touchdowns, 11 games have included multiple trips to the end zone.
So far this season, Dutkiewicz has accrued 174, 100, 116, and 183 yards, respectively, with three, one, two, and two touchdowns. The Crusaders have benefitted. They’re off to a 3-1 start overall and are 1-0 in the Catholic League Blue Division.
“At Lansdale Catholic, we have a saying that goes like this: ‘It isn’t about you; it’s about us,’” said Dutkiewicz. “That means that we are all in this together. What I have done on the football field was because of my O-line consistently working hard for me on and off the field and especially in the weight room. Without them, I wouldn’t have this success.”
PICK TWO
In our previewed “Game of the Week,” Bishop McDevitt blanked visiting Cardinal O’Hara, 26-0.
McDevitt senior quarterback Lonnie Rice once again strapped the Lancers on his broad shoulders, finishing with 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 6 of 11 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown through the air.
A closer look at how important Rice is to the McDevitt attack provides an astonishing narrative.
The Lancers have scored 11 touchdowns, and Rice has been involved in 10 of them (six rushes and four passes). Of the Lancers’ 1,162 yards, Rice has rushed or thrown for 925.
That’s . . . 79.6 percent of the offense. On the other side of the field, Rice is a returning second-team All-Catholic safety.
“I’ve just been going along with the game plan and making plays to help us win games,” said Rice, who next year will play outside linebacker at University at Buffalo. “All thanks to the offensive line for my protection and my wide receivers and running backs for making plays to get us up and down the field.”
Lonnie Rice scores a 2-pt. conversion in 26-0 victory vs. O'Hara:
McDevitt vs. O'Hara - Photos by Geanine Jamison
For more game photos click here
McDevitt vs. O'Hara - Photos by Geanine Jamison
PICK THREE
In a Catholic Blue opener, Neumann-Goretti stopped Bonner-Prendergast, 32-15, and improved to 4-0 with a plus-point differential of 136-22. Rebounding from a 2-5 disappointment last fall, the Saints are starting to imitate the 2017 squad that went 11-1 before losing in the PIAA Class 2A state quarterfinal. That team held opponents to seven or fewer points on eight occasions.
Saints coach Al Crosby admitted that he has noticed similarities.
“It’s fair to make a comparison,” said Crosby. “That team had several Division I players. This year, we don’t have any Class of 2020 commitments to Division I, but they will come. I think we will have about five or six from 2020 and have maybe 13 Division I players on the roster.”
At practice, the Saints are comprised of two different teams that reflect their school colors – black and gold.
Senior captain Damian Gabriel hauls in a TD pass in Neumann-Goretti's 32-15 victory vs. Bonner-Prendergast. Video by James Williamson:
“It’s not about ‘first string and second string,’ and there’s not a big drop off between who starts and who doesn’t,” said Crosby. “There is a lot of competition and focus at practice. Everyone is making everyone else better.”
The Saints’ secondary has intercepted five passes, including two each by senior Ubayd Steed and senior Ronald Holmes. Junior Naseem Bailey also has a pick.
In the win at Bonner-Prendergast, junior Tysheem Johnson gained 120 yards and scored three touchdowns on 25 carries. Sophomore quarterback Marqui Adams had his best game, completing 8 of 10 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard connection with Malik Griffin.
PICK FOUR
Archbishop Carroll opened its division play with a 29-14 win Saturday against West Catholic at Villanova Stadium. One of the unsung heroes was junior Nick Lamey.
On Carroll’s first drive, Lamey perfectly executed a fake punt to garner a key first down for the Patriots. In the second quarter while playing cornerback, Lamey intercepted a pass to help the defense further frustrate the Burrs.
“My special teams coach, Justin Golden, has been edging me to take the rugby style punt for the first down all year,” said Lamey. “I finally saw the opportunity when the two edge rushers shot straight up the field and there was a wide open hole with great blocking.
“Prior to the interception, I had let up two long passes on my part, so I had been looking to make up for that throughout the game and the perfect opportunity came when the quarterback threw that slant. I saw the perfect opportunity to jump the route and things ended up working out.”
Carroll's #23 Nick Lamey executed a fake punt vs. West Catholic - Photo by Katie Dekovitch
PICK FIVE
La Salle overwhelmed Haverford School, 48-27, and finished its non-league season a perfect 4-0 against rugged competition. The Explorers have this week off before facing nemesis St. Joseph’s Prep 7 PM September 28 at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School.
Sam Brown is off to a fantastic start. Against the Fords, the sophomore tailback scored four touchdowns, rushed for 182 yards on only 11 carries, and caught six passes for 105 yards. For the season, he has found the end zone 12 times – seven via rush and five off passes from senior quarterback Jack Machita.
“It is a great feeling to be noticed, but I’m going to continue to keep things in perspective,” said Brown. “I’m not in this by myself.”
La Salle sophomore Sam Brown talks about his pivotal play that played a key role in the Explorer's 24-13 win vs. Malvern Prep. Video by John Knebels:
PICK SIX
St. Joseph’s Prep is also off this week; in fact, the Prep and La Salle are the only two Red Division squads that won’t be playing. On Friday, Father Judge (1-3) hosts Haverford High; Archbishop Wood (3-0) does likewise against Peddie School (NJ); and Roman Catholic (1-3) welcomes Chester in Conshohocken. On Saturday, Archbishop Ryan (1-2) visits Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.
Facing national competition on the road, the Hawks are 1-2 and have lost two games for the first time since 2015. Entering this fall, the Prep’s record since 2012 is an astounding 80-11. The last time the Prep lost twice was in 2015 (7-3). The last time the Prep lost four games was in 2011 (7-4).
(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter@johnknebels.)
Tag(s): Home Schools Philadelphia Catholic Football Red Division Father Judge Football 6A La Salle Football 6A Roman Catholic Football 6A Saint Joe's Prep Football 6A Arch. Ryan Football 5A Arch. Wood Football 5A Blue Division Bonner & Prendie Football Cardinal O'Hara Football Bishop McDevitt Football Conwell-Egan Football Lansdale Cath. Football Neumann/Goretti Football West Catholic Football Arch. Carroll Football 5A