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FOOTBALL: Defense, Overtime, and Sportsmanship Dominate in This Week’s PCL Round-Up

By John Knebels, 10/21/22, 9:15AM EDT

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Photos/Videos: Zamani Feelings, Ethan Puth, Ryan Nix, Lennie Malmgren & Krystal Williams

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – Lots of individual heroics highlighted the next-to-last weekend of Philadelphia Catholic League regular season.

Let’s roll the tape . . .

Facing a must-win situation, Conwell-Egan had just taken the lead over host Neumann-Goretti early in the fourth quarter.

The Saints started to drive, and then C-E senior Mekhi Harper made the play of his young life, snatching an interception and racing 30 yards for an insurance touchdown and ultimately a 29-14 Eagles victory.

“Our defense knows we need to get off the field and stop them,” said Harper. “I see the slot receiver come up, so I roll down and the quarterback just overthrew him. All on my mind was to get into the end zone to get us up two scores and seal the game away.

“It wasn’t even a foot race. As soon as I get the ball in my hands, my objective is to get into that end zone and as soon as I got the ball and got down the sideline, I felt like I was already gone and no one could tackle me. When I got into the end zone, I felt great because I just put my team up two scores in a close, hard-fought game.”

Conwell-Egan junior Tayshaun Thenor had the best vantage point.

“Once the ball flew over my head into the hands of Mekhi, I knew we were in great shape,” said Thenor. “Our confidence level was right where it needed to be. We couldn’t afford to lose and everyone knew that. It was a big win that we’ve been waiting for all year especially since (an early season loss against) Lansdale Catholic. We made a few mistakes but we persevered against a talented Neumann-Goretti.”

Now 4-1, the Eagles are in position to snare the Blue Division championship when they visit 5-0 Bonner-Prendergast Friday night. The Friars are coming off a 42-14 win over visiting Lansdale Catholic, in which sophomores Jaylen Johnson (6 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns) and Jalil Hall (season-best 6 catches for 153 yards and two scores) contributed mightily.

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In St. Joseph’s Prep’s 48-14 win at Father Judge, junior quarterback Samaj Jones fired four touchdown passes and finished the first half with 318 yards on 13 completions. He also added a pair of touchdown runs. Sophomore teammate Alijah Turner caught four passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. 

#6 Brandon Rehmann scores a TD for St. Joseph's Prep - PSD Video by Krystal Williams

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In Archbishop Ryan’s 23-6 victory over West Catholic, senior Aidan Clancy rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown while sophomore quarterback Tommy Gontz tossed a TD to senior Rich Paczewski.

Archbishop Ryan vs. West Catholic - Highlights by Ethan Puth

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After a super rare scoreless tie in regulation, Sean McFadden’s two-yard rushing touchdown in overtime powered La Salle to a 6-3 win over host Archbishop Wood, which held the Explorers to 80 yards of total offense.

“Defense played amazing,” said McFadden, who returned an interception 41 yards. “Our playmakers made plays. (Junior) Matt Wills had an outstanding game, and after the first catch, (junior) Kelby Hampton locked up their best receiver. We just kept coming at them all night, and we came out on top. It felt good to dominate defensively.”

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Cardinal O’Hara ended a 12-game losing streak by blocking a late field goal and holding off Archbishop Carroll, 14-12 to give first-year coach Mike Ewing his first victory.

“Hard fought game by both sides,” said Ewing. “Proud of our kids and the way they stick together no matter the situation.”

Statistically, freshman quarterback John Welde’s touchdown passes to sophomores Logan Maloney and Khalil Epps offset Carroll junior Hasaan Bailey (16 carries, career-high 80 yards), junior quarterback James Wright (touchdown run), and sophomore Mason Graham (four rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown).

Intangibly, however, a photo taken by Philadelphia Sports Digest’s Lennie Malmgren immediately after the game displayed the epitome of sportsmanship when O’Hara senior linebacker/running back John Shelton was captured standing over a spent, prostrate Archbishop Carroll player near the 30-yard line and offering a few words of consolation.

“I didn’t really think much of it at the time, but it’s kind of blown up since then,” said Shelton. “I still don’t think it’s that big of a deal. I was just showing respect for another competitor; one player to another. Both teams played our hearts out, and we got the better of them that night.

“But anyone who has the guts to set foot on that field and battle for four quarters has earned my respect and should have the respect of everyone else. It’s a select group that can do what football players do day in and day out.”


O'Hara senior John Shelton displays his sportsmanship towards his opponent after winning first game of the season - PSD Photo by Lennie Malmgren

If there’s a category for quote of the year . . . that was it.

 

*** Most individual statistics courtesy of Ed “Huck” Powers. ***

 

(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)