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FOOTBALL: In Battle of the Northeast, Archbishop Ryan Defeats Father Judge

By John Knebels - Photos: Kathy Leister , 09/15/21, 8:15PM EDT

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Photos: Kathy Leister

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – Cars were parked every which direction inside the adjacent lot, with scads more up and down nearby streets. Energetic fans from both schools stood in long lines waiting to enter, then had to scurry to find open seats in the almost completely-filled stands.

It wasn’t a championship football game September 11 at Northeast High School’s Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium, but to the Archbishop Ryan and Father Judge players who strapped on their gridiron armor and tackled each other for four entertaining quarters, this was much more than just a regular season contest.

Bragging rights, after all, last for a looonnnggg 52 weeks.

For the next calendar year, therefore, Archbishop Ryan players and fans will delightedly remind their Northeast Philadelphia neighbors that the Raiders defeated the Crusaders, 21-14.

Adding fuel to Ryan’s celebration arsenal was that the Raiders reside in the smaller-school Catholic League Blue Division while the Crusaders are part of the larger-school Catholic Red.

2021 Northeast Classic - Archbishop Ryan vs. Father Judge Highlights by John Knebels:

“Our kids went out there and executed,” said Archbishop Ryan coach Bill Murphy, a 1996 Father Judge graduate and quarterback who has had to endure a litany of annoyances – some gentle, others mean-spirited – since inheriting the program of Judge’s bitter rivals last October. “They wanted it more than they did.

“We played two really good teams to start the season that can run the ball. Bishop Shanahan, defending state champs with a 22-game winning streak. We had them beat. Last week was Upper Moreland, a team that can run around the field and beat us, 40-0, last year. We came back and we took them 33-29 down to the wire, so I think our kids were ready for this.”

A contest of big plays included two touchdown jaunts of 50 and 55 yards by Ryan junior Aidan Clancy, who finished with a career-high 179 yards. Clancy’s first score offset the game’s first touchdown, an impressive 49-yard haul by Judge senior quarterback Mike Van Horn early in the first quarter.

McDermott Murphy, son of Ryan coach Bill Murphy, explains the significance of the win over rival Father Judge:

Elated Archbishop Ryan head coach Bill Murphy talks about defeating his alma mater:

Ryan senior Joe Mastrangelo produced a highlight reel in victory over Father Judge:

Down 7-0, Ryan climbed to within 7-2 when Ryan junior Eric Stevenson, Jr. tackled a Judge ball carrier in the end zone for a safety. Though “only” worth two points, a clear shift of momentum in Ryan’s favor rarely seesawed. Then came Clancy’s first touchdown and an 8-7 Ryan lead.

“I just took off and didn’t stop until I was in the end zone,” said Clancy. “Once I get into the open field, there’s a good chance I don’t get caught.”

Clancy’s touchdown set the stage for the Joe Mastrangelo Show.

Already seething after having a long punt return touchdown nullified because of a penalty, Mastrangelo intercepted a pass at the Ryan 29. He immediately bolted in the opposite direction and raced most of the next 71 yards down the left sideline.

Enjoying a 14-7 lead, Ryan’s fans raised the decibel level jusssst a little bit. 

“I read that play perfect,” said Mastrangelo. “I saw it coming. I got it and I followed my blockers. I know that my boys got my back.”

Mastrangelo was far from finished. On the last play of the second quarter, the personable senior receiver, safety, and kick returner stretched out to catch a bomb from senior quarterback Rob McConnell, but he was unable to maintain his balance and fell to the ground just a few yards before reaching the end zone.

In the third quarter, Mastrangelo dove and tripped Van Horn deep inside Ryan territory to prevent a sure touchdown. 

With Judge down 21-14 and facing a fourth and nine at the Ryan 15-yard line with 2:27 remaining in regulation, Mastrangelo teamed up with seniors Mike Gozzi and Azaan Flowers to stop a rushing Van Horn one yard shy of a first down. Ryan then clinched the win with a first down, courtesy of a short plunge by McConnell inside the final minute.

“This is the biggest competition in the Northeast,” said Mastrangelo. “I don’t see this many people at games ever, and I go to a lot of football games. Winning in front of them with my brothers, it’s insane. This is the greatest feeling in the world.”

Mastrangelo won’t get any argument from Coach Murphy or his son, McDermott Murphy, who provided a pivotal role in stopping Judge’s running game while containing the Crusaders’ passing attack.

“We practiced all week staying outside . . . staying outside,” said the junior defensive end. “I got sucked in a couple of times. I got back in there and stayed outside, made some tackles, let my linebackers do their job.

“This means a lot to me. My first win at Ryan . . . the first win for my dad. I feel great about it.”

Murphy the son and Murphy the dad will forever enjoy reminiscing about defeating Father Judge.

“My talk all week was, ‘Make a memory . . . make a memory,’” said Coach Murphy. “That’s exactly what they did at the end. They made that goal line stand. That made a memory. It’s extra special for me because my son was part of it.”

Doesn’t get much better than that.

 

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