FOOTBALL: Philadelphia Sports Digest's PICK 6 (Week of 10/12)
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 games.
By: John Knebels
Photos/Videos: James Beaver & Patty Morgan
Pick One: Menges Gets a Kick out of Rescuing Crusaders
We’ve seen it on television countless times. After a brutal four quarters in the trenches, a football win, loss, or tie is determined not by a throw, not by a run, but by the swing of a seldom-used player’s leg.
On Saturday at Wissahickon High School, senior Brendan Menges experienced what almost every football player only dreams about – making a game-winning kick as time expires. It was Menges’ 33-yard field goal on the final play of the game that lifted Lansdale Catholic to a stirring 23-20 Catholic League Blue Division victory over Bishop McDevitt.
“At first, I was just really nervous after missing several crucial kicks early on in the game and then dropping a snap on a punt,” said Menges. “I lost a lot of confidence in myself, but when I went out there, I just imagined I was kicking at practice and I was all alone.
“Immediately after kicking it, I knew it went right down the middle and took off running the other way.”
Menges said it was the first time he had ever attempted a game-winning boot.
“I was pretty nervous, almost shaking,” said Menges. “It was a very important game we had to win in order to compete for a playoff spot.”
Lansdale Catholic senior Brendan Menges nails 33-yd FG vs. Bishop McDevitt - video courtesy of a LC parent
Pick Two: Watch Leneghan Catch . . . and Run
St. Joseph’s Prep senior Anthony Leneghan had done pretty much anything on a football field during his career. That is, except score a touchdown.
St. Joseph’s Prep senior Anthony Leneghan #45 notched his career-first TD - PSD Photo
Leneghan can delete that one from his Bucket List.
In the second quarter of the Prep’s 42-21, Catholic League Red Division win over Archbishop Wood at Widener University, Leneghan intercepted a pass and rumbled to the end zone. On his third career pick – and his first in a Catholic League contest – Leneghan had finally carried the pigskin into an end zone.
“I was playing a new position (defensive end/outside linebacker) and dropped back into coverage for my first time and the QB threw the ball into my zone and I picked it off and ran it back like 30 yards,” said Leneghan, clearly enjoying the recall.
For those defensive players out there who might be yearning for their first touchdown, Leneghan offers some sage advice for you.
“When the ball touches your hands and you see that end zone,” he said, “you start running as fast as you can.”
Pick Three: Bonner-Prendergast Does it With ‘D’
Bonner-Prendergast is fast becoming one of the local area’s most improving teams. The Friars are now 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the Catholic League Blue.
On Saturday, the Friars’ offense stalled for most of their battle at Archbishop Carroll. Entering with a scoring average of 28.5 points per game, Bonner-Prendergast was held to only two touchdowns.
But good teams find a way to win those games, and that’s what the Friars did, trimming the Patriots, 12-7, thanks to a suffocating defense that limited Carroll to 64 yards of offense.
“Our defense is a 4-2-5 and it starts off with our defensive line,” said senior safety Charles Ingram, who also rushed for 67 yards on 11 carries and nabbed a pivotal 37-yard pass from junior quarterback Kyle Lazer that led to the game’s first score, a one-yard plunge by senior Oscar Uduma. “I think we have arguably the best defensive line in the PCL.
“We have a very versatile D-line with our two big guys in the middle, Chile Adele and Ethan Cottrell, and our 190, 200-pound fast defensive ends rushing off the edge – Oscar Uduma, Nasim Rhodes-Nelson, and sometimes Mason Peterson. They make it easier for the linebackers to come up and fill holes, and easier for the secondary by getting that rush on the quarterback. We’ve been doing a good job this season shutting teams offense down just by our D-line.”
Pick Four: Vespe, Many Others Power Explorers
In La Salle’s 49-0, Catholic League Red Division triumph over visiting Archbishop Ryan, virtually the entire roster contributed.
Three players (senior Jack Machita, junior Gavin Daly, and sophomore Alan Paturzo) threw touchdown passes. Nine rushed for positive yardage. Eight caught a pass. Seven scored points.
Senior Brad Vespe, a varsity contributor since his sophomore year, caught a pair of second-quarter passes and turned both into touchdowns of 36 and six yards, respectively, his first-ever multiple TD performance.
“It is rewarding because you get to see all the hard work pay off,” said Vespe about his two TDs. “Both felt great. One was not better then the other.”
Vespe enjoyed watching so many of his teammates receive more playing time than usual.
“It is awesome to see that because those players work just as hard in practice as anyone,” said Vespe. “It gives them an opportunity to play.”
Pick Five: Hart-Hawkins, Smith, and Smalls Carry Burrs
In West Catholic’s 38-14 Blue Division victory over visiting Conwell-Egan, senior quarterback Zaire Hart-Hawkins matched a career-high with four touchdown throws. Two of his scoring tosses were grabbed by senior Carl Smith, who established career best in catches (six), yards (90), and touchdowns. Senior Shakur Smalls also scored twice for the Burrs (5-3, 3-2).
“It all started with the offensive line,” said Hart-Hawkins. “They did a great job and it made the rest of the offense look crisp.
“The passing game is definitely more fun. I like to challenge the defense because I know they can’t cover our skill guys. The run game helps open the pass game, and the pass helps open the run game.”
West Catholic senior quarterback Zaire Hart-Hawkins matched a career-high with four TD throws - PSD Photo by James Beaver
Pick Six: Next Man Up Mentality at Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic junior Daquan Robinson made the most of his first career start. In place of injured junior Jayden Pope (broken collarbone), Robinson completed five of eight passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns. He also gained 60 yards and scored a TD on 10 carries, aiding the Cahillites’ 46-14 win at Father Judge.
Roman Catholic junior Junior Shemar Ellis scores one of his 3 TD's in victory vs. Father Judge:
Roman Catholic vs. Father Judge photos by James Beaver
Senior Malachi Harris was the main recipient of Robinson’s accuracy, snaring four passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns to give him 10 for the season. Junior Shemar Ellis(11 carries, 107 yards; one catch, 70 yards; career-best three total touchdowns) paced the running game.
“Being a quarterback wasn’t anything new to me due to playing it before,” said Robinson. “I was able to make great plays because the O-line allowed me to be comfortable and throw the ball. Our teamwork and chemistry was the main thing clicking. As a team, we feel like we are starting to hit our stride.”
Harris wasn’t surprised that Robinson was able to lead the offense.
“It was no different to me, because he was my quarterback before all summer,” said Harris, who also plays defensive back. “Daquan and Jayden battled for the starting position.
“This game was really important to us. This was a win we had to get for the program, for playoff seeding, and for our coach (Rick Prete). He works us every single day to be in better shape than our opponents.”
(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)