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FOOTBALL: Philadelphia Sports Digest's Catholic League PICK 6 (Week Of 10/15)

By John Knebels - Photos/Videos: Lou Rabito, John Knebels & Geanine Jamison, 10/21/21, 6:45PM 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, John Knebels & Geanine Jamison

By: John Knebels

Pick One: Lateral from Dumond to Trotter Pushes Prep Forward

With the score tied at 7-7 and Archbishop Wood on the St. Joseph’s Prep 25-yard line, the Hawks needed a spark to change the momentum.

Defense to the rescue. 

After senior Noah Klick and junior Jim Heard combined to force a Wood fumble at the 29, junior Matt Dumond scooped up the bouncing pigskin and raced the opposite direction. About to be tackled at the Wood 25, Dumond lateralled to junior Josiah Trotter, who carried it the remaining distance.

The Prep went on to dominate most of the second half en route to a 38-20 victory. 

“We practice that every week,” said Dumond. “It’s something that comes naturally. It’s green grass in front, so you just start running as fast as possible. If you’re gonna get caught, you have to pitch it back to someone else.”

Trotter also relied on his instinct.

“I saw him running and I started helping block, and once I saw he was about to get caught, he pitched it back,” said Trotter. “He trusted me enough to catch the ball and get it to the end zone.”

SJP's Matt Dumond Returns a punt then laterals to Josiah Trotter, who takes it to the end zone.(video/John Knebels)

St. Joseph Prep's juniors Josiah Trotter and Matt Dumond talk about their key defensive play - Video by John KNebels:

Pick Two: Too Bad Hustle Plays Don’t Warrant a Statistic

A tight combat between Father Judge and Roman Catholic felt like a playoff game from the opening kick. In an important Catholic League Red Division tilt, players from both teams shook off a game-long rainstorm and performed admirably.

With the score tied at 14-14, Father Judge punted.

As the ball rolled toward the end zone and was about to bounce in from the one-yard line, hustling Roman junior Eddie Figueroa imitated an Olympian gymnast when he somehow lunged over the end line and flicked the ball back into play without having any part of his body touch inside the end zone.

But . . . according to the rules, once the ball hovers over the goal line, the play is ruled dead and will then commence at the receiving team’s 20-yard line.

Roman's Eddie Figueroa attempted to save a punt from reaching the end zone in game vs. Father Judge. (video/John Knebels)

“When I seen the call by the ref, you can obviously tell I was furious,” said Figueroa, who, after pleading his case, grasped his helmet while sprinting to the Ryan sideline. “It’s almost demoralizing, knowing that you just made an outstanding play and it was called back.

“The biggest challenge after a play like that is to get focused again. When something like this happens, it completely throws you off, but I knew I had to get my head in the game.”

Pick Three: Father Judge Goal-Line Stand Revisited

Though “just” a regular-season game, Father Judge and Roman Catholic entertained a rain-soaked crowd from beginning to end, and oh, what an end.   

Trailing 21-14, Roman Catholic engineered a 95-yard play in 55.3 seconds and lowered its deficit to 21-20 on a last-second touchdown pass from sophomore John Ingram to junior Mekhi Watson.

Roman tried to win it with a two-point conversion, but Father Judge sophomore Nymeir Appling spearheaded a stop inside the two-yard line, and the Crusaders celebrated accordingly. 

“We basically watched film on them so we knew what was coming,” said Appling. “I told our linebacker (senior Mike Conway) to play the cut back on the running back on that play, and he did. Then I just tried to stand up the running back and wait for help, and everyone did their job the right way.

“It was a team effort to make that stop. It’s hard to describe.”

Father Judge's goal-line stand to beat Roman in epic finish.(video/John Knebels)

Pick Four: Conwell-Egan

Conwell-Egan trailed Cardinal O’Hara, 14-0, with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. The Eagles’ sideline was mostly quiet. Trying to stay awake, some C-E fans may have debated trekking out a bit earlier than expected.

Suddenly, sophomore Sam Cooper was seen seizing the ball on a hook-and-lateral at his own 12-yard line and speeding 88 yards to the end zone. Instead of leaving early, the now-energized crowd was wide-awake and considering buying a hot dog rather than making alternate Friday night plans.

The second half was a polar opposite from the first.

Cooper scored a second touchdown, senior quarterback Dante Morris (168 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 12 carries; two touchdown passes) and junior teammate Luke Trunell both scored twice, and Conwell-Egan’s stifling defense helped improve the Eagles’ record to 6-2 with a 32-14 comeback victory, their third straight.

“I mean, it was a really quick play and our coach knew that we had to make a big play before the half,” said Cooper. “Our quarterback, Dante, was about to get the ball out to one of our best receivers, Mekhi Harper, and as he was going down he was able to get the ball to me before hitting the ground. Before we knew it, I was in the end zone and we were much in the game at that point.

“In the second half we were able to come through with a great team win and everybody had their parts of the win. But without the line and everybody with their blocks during that play and everybody during their parts, none of this would’ve even been possible.”

Pick Five: Great Time for a Career-First Touchdown

Tymir Bradley is not a household name among Archbishop Ryan’s most productive runners, but in the Raiders’ 21-6 win over West Catholic, the senior’s contributions helped fuel Ryan’s fourth straight victory, during which they have outscored their opposition by 101 to 36 while improving their record to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the Catholic Blue.

With Ryan nursing a 14-6 lead and driving into West Catholic territory in the fourth quarter, Bradley converted a fourth-and-five by taking a screen pass six yards for a first down.

On the next play from scrimmage, Bradley scored his first career touchdown. 

“I believe in our playing calling, and we did some great things during the drive,” said Bradley. “I just turned to patience. With the help of my offensive line and receivers blocking to clear the cut-back lane, I only had to beat three people, so I was very comfortable and confident when I saw the green grass.”


Archbishop Ryan senior running back Tymir Bradley - PSD Photo by Geanine Jamison

Pick Six: A True Mason Can Do It All

Bonner-Prendergast senior Mason Peterson has solidified himself as one of the area’s top running backs. In the Friars’ latest win, a 40-6 decision over Lansdale Catholic that improved their overall record to 6-2 and 4-1 in the Catholic Blue, Peterson added a twist to his burgeoning sure-to-be All-Catholic resume.

Not only did Peterson score twice from the ground while compiling 192 yards on 23 carries, he returned a punt 50 yards for another score. For the season, Peterson has collected 15 touchdowns – 12 rushing, one receiving, and two punt returns.

“Once I caught the punt, I saw the sideline open and it was only up from there,” said Peterson. “I kind of think returning punts are more fun than running because the other team is flying at you and you can build up your speed without having to make a cut or lower your shoulder right away.”  

Showing his team-first pride, Peterson lauded B-P’s defense for “playing fast and getting three and outs,” and the special team units for “being on fire.”


Bonner-Prendergast senior running back Mason Peterson - PSD Photo by Lou Rabito

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