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FOOTBALL: Philadelphia Sports Digest's PICK 6 (Week of 9/18)

By John Knebels - Video/Photos: Lou Rabito, Krystal Williams, Geanine Jamison & Logan McHugh , 09/23/21, 1:00PM EDT

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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 games. 

Photos/Videos: Lou Rabito, Geanine Jamison, Krystal Williams, Kathy Leister & Logan McHugh

By: John Knebels

Pick One: Cahillites Pound Out Victory

A torrid running game propelled Roman Catholic to its first victory of the season, 21-15, over visiting Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy. 

Sophomore Tyseer Denmark (19 carries, 127 yards, two touchdowns), junior Mao Howell (13 for 65, touchdown), junior Sidney Bean (5 for 30), and junior quarterback Jamir Robertson (8 for 28) helped the Cahillites dominate in time of possession.

“The win was a total team effort,” said Roman coach Rick Prete. “We still need to have a great deal of improvement to get on track, especially with such a young roster. We feel like we are making progress but still have some mental mistakes we need to clean up.

“Tyseer is a phenomenal talent with outstanding work ethic and he really stepped up along with the offensive line, Mao Howell, Sidney Bean, and Jamir Robertson on offense. Additionally, our defense made key stops for us when it counted.”

Pick Two: An Actual Pick Six Among the Weekly Pick Six

West Catholic needed a big play. Senior Naidir Hilliard delivered.

With the outcome still hanging in the balance, Hilliard intercepted a pass and took it to the end zone for a touchdown to lead the Burrs to a 22-14 victory at Lansdale Catholic.

“So I usually read 1-2 wide receivers in my coverage, but this time I saw a wheel route out the back field and there was no number 2 receiver,” said Hilliard. “So that wheel route became my number 2, and when I saw the quarterback looking that way, I said in my head, ‘This is going to the crib.’

“I planted my feet and jump and felt the ball in my hands and took off. I knew nobody was going to catch me.”

Pick Three: Hey – Just Throw the Ball to Jasir

Catch after catch after catch.

When the game was over, senior Jasir Jefferson had corralled 12 completions for 96 yards – believed to be a school record for receptions – and host Neumann-Goretti escaped a 14-7 Catholic League Blue Division win over upset-minded Archbishop Ryan.

Senior quarterback Marqui Adams tossed a career-high 35 passes, completing 23 of them for 185 yards. Senior Zaid Warren scored both N-G touchdowns.

“I like to think I’m a versatile player,” said Jefferson. “I use my speed to my advantage when playing and I just have fun with it. Whatever I have to do for my team, I do it.

“A lot of hard work went into becoming who I am and I’m only getting better, I feel that way after every game I play. This win was very important coming off a loss, for us to regroup and become the team we know we are.

“I was surprised it was this close, but a win is a win. We got it done, and like I said, we are going to get it together. We have all the pieces. We just have to bring it all together as a team.”

Pick Four: Watch Mason Run . . . and Run . . . and Run

From an individual standpoint, Bonner-Prendergast senior Mason Peterson has been the talk of the Catholic League.

In the Friars’ 36-20 Blue Division victory over visiting Conwell-Egan, Peterson showed why. On only 16 carries, Peterson accrued a career-high 240 yards and added three touchdowns, giving him 612 yards in four games.

A man of few words, Peterson tipped his helmet to his blockers – junior Jawaad Hanton, senior Aidan McGoldrick, senior Nick Bozzetto, junior Mekel Marshall, junior Jaylen Allen, senior David Washington, and sophomore Austin Cannon.

“The linemen were were very important,” said Peterson. “They made huge holes for the backs.”


MBAP senior RB Mason Peterson has tallied 612 yards in four games. - PDS Photo by Lou Rabito

Pick Five: Making the Most of the Opportunities

Cardinal O’Hara needed a win. Dan McPhillips helped get them one.

With the senior running back contributing 86 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, and adding two catches for 16 yards, the Lions stopped host Archbishop Carroll, 17-7.

The Lions added another tally on senior quarterback Jacob Carbin’s touchdown pass to senior Frank Didio. The O’Hara defense did the rest.

“It was a much-needed win, especially coming off a big loss against a good Father Judge team,” said McPhillips. “This win gives us energy heading into our next game against Lansdale Catholic.

“The offensive line did a great job blocking for me. As a whole, we have a lot to clean up. Our defense held up for the offense, which was great. I’m very excited for when we clean up our mistakes, because we have a chance to be a dangerous offense and a very good team on both sides of the ball.”

Pick Six: Perfect Marksmanship and Three Touchdowns

Although he deflected most of the praise, Father Judge senior Mike Van Horn enjoyed one of his best performances as a varsity quarterback in the Crusaders’ 49-24 non-league win over visiting Boys’ Latin.

When passing, Van Horn completed all 12 of his attempts for 94 yards. On the ground, he found the end zone on a career-best three occasions, finishing with 34 yards. Senior teammate Billy Whiteley added 74 yards and two touchdowns on nine hauls. Freshman Khalil King returned an interception for a score.

“Most of it was definitely the coaching,” said Van Horn. “I knew what I was looking for throughout my the game, and my wideouts made some tough catches for me. 

“Two of my scores were sneaks set up by big special team plays, and the other was about 10 yards on our first drive. It felt really good.”

 

Father Judge vs. Boys' Latin Highlights by Father Judge Jr. Reporter Logan McHugh: