CATHOLIC LEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK
Who: Archbishop Carroll vs. Cardinal O’Hara
When: 7:00 PM Friday, October 14, 2022
Where: Cardinal O’Hara High School
Records: Archbishop Carroll 0-7, 0-4; Cardinal O’Hara 0-7, 0-4
Most Recent Performance: Archbishop Carroll dropped a tough 6-0 decision at West Catholic; Cardinal O’Hara lost at Conwell-Egan, 49-6.
Importance: Both of these programs have struggled in recent years, but a win here would provide enormous immediate relief. Both schools possess a proud history of success in the Philadelphia Catholic League, and a late-season victory would certainly provide momentum over the final two weeks of the season.
All-Time Record: Cardinal O’Hara leads the series, 27-18-1.
Archbishop Carroll Notes: The Patriots have dropped 18 straight going back to November 14, 2020 . . . The offense has managed four touchdowns . . . Junior quarterback James Wright and junior running back Hasaan Bailey lead the offense . . . On defense, junior Tory Williams (31 solo tackles, 12 assists, one sack, two forced fumbles), senior Anthony Spurio (23 solos, 10 assists, two sacks), and senior Jack Fry (23 solos, one sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery) pace the defense.
Cardinal O’Hara Notes: The Lions carry a 12-game losing streak . . . Of their six touchdowns, three came at the expense of Blue Division leader Bonner-Prendergast (5-1 overall, 4-0 division). In fact, O’Hara scored the most points against B-P than any other team . . . The running game has averaged fewer than two yards per carry, but the passing game behind freshman QB John Welde has displayed flashes with 909 yards and four touchdowns . . . The combination of sophomore Khalil Epps (20 catches, 183 yards) and junior Ethan Schulcz (17 for 179 and two touchdowns) supply capable playmaking ability.
PATRIOT CHAT: “It’s a big week for us and, I’m sure, a big week for them too,” said Carroll coach Kyle Detweiler. “We talk about just trying to go 1-0 each week and not think about the streak as a whole, but someone is walking out of here with their first win of the season and an end to their losing streak.
“Ours is longer, of course, but it’s another great opportunity for these kids who have never wavered and never quit to experience success and build some momentum that can carry us through the rest of the season.”
LION CHAT: “As a team, we all discussed this game right after our game on Saturday against Conwell-Egan,” said Cardinal O’Hara senior wide receiver/safety Xavier Tran. “We said how important it is to win against Carroll and how we want to turn around and show that we can be a problem once we get a momentum change in this week’s game.
“For the underclassmen, they are taking this game as a opportunity to finish this season strong and lead them into next season. As for the upperclassmen, we are taking this game seriously, knowing that it is our last opportunity to put ourselves on the map, and especially playing a rival team on our home turf for our last home game ever.”
Archbishop Carroll Football - PSD Gallery by James Quinn
Cardinal O'Hara - PSD Gallery by Lou Rabito
Prediction: This appears to be a low-scoring defensive chess match between two longtime rivals. The contest will likely be decided by a defensive stand late in the fourth quarter. Maybe the home field helps the Lions. However, because the Patriots are more overdue, they prevail, 13-7.
*** Individual statistics courtesy of Ed “Huck” Powers.***
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)