By John Knebels
PHILADELPHIA – If one play epitomized Saturday afternoon’s season-opening nonleague football clash between Archbishop Ryan and Father Judge at Northeast High School, it occurred inside the final minute of the second quarter.
With his team already leading 7-3 and threatening to score again from the 10-yard line, Ryan senior quarterback Frankie Mawson created a highlight bright enough to send college coaches scurrying to the Internet to check out the Raiders’ remaining schedule.
After taking the snap of a designed run-pass option, Mawson faked to senior Christon Mitchell-Brown and, after an easy five yards courtesy of major blocks by junior tackle Nafiq Brown and junior guard Ryan Keenan, plowed into a mass of Crusaders at the five-yard line. Resembling a battering ram, Mawson ignored one ground-prone defender grabbing his ankles and carried three other would-be tacklers the remaining five yards into the end zone.
About an hour later, Mawson and his teammates would celebrate a 21-17 victory, giving them a calendar year’s worth of Northeast Philadelphia bragging rights for the fourth time in seven seasons but first since 2021.
“Preparation was crazy,” said Mawson, who finished 9-for-17 passing for 134 yards. “All week, we were the most locked in I’ve ever seen us. Week One versus Judge, you couldn’t ask for a better opportunity than that. Starting off 1-0 and beating our rivals is just huge for everybody – the whole team, our school . . . everybody.”
After Mawson’s rushing touchdown that gave Ryan a 13-3 lead, Father Judge needed only 47 seconds to answer when junior quarterback Sean Long found junior tight end Josh Berdel for a score three seconds before halftime.
Archbishop Ryan vs. Father Judge 2024 Highlights by John Knebels for PSD:
With 3:30 remaining in the third quarter, the Crusaders took a 17-13 lead on a one-yard plunge by Long. From that point, the Raiders regrouped and appeared to outplay the Crusaders in the trenches evidenced by senior Christon Mitchell-Brown collecting 91 yards on 15 carries, Mawson bulling ahead for 56 on 11, and sophomore Nathaniel Thompson adding 35 on seven.
A touchdown strike from Mawson to senior wide receiver Damien Morgan on the first play of the fourth quarter – the duo’s second of the game – followed by a two-point conversion pass from Mawson to junior Dave Spinelli would ultimately serve as the game winner.
Having snared five catches for 77 yards and two scores, Morgan recognized the moment both individually and communally.
Archbishop Ryan vs. Father Judge - PSD Photos by Kathy Leister
“That was one of the most important things that ever happened in my life,” said Morgan. “The atmosphere that this game brings means so much. It’s such a big boost for everybody.”
Through most of the contest, Father Judge’s offense – aided by a muffed Ryan punt that led to their third-quarter touchdown – struggled to maintain drives thanks to a stingy Ryan defense.
A blocked punt midway through the first quarter gave the Crusaders field possession inside Ryan territory, but senior Corey DeMas picked off a pass less than a minute later. Key tackles and/or pressure by juniors Zack Taylor, Danny Celins, Austin Lyons, sophomores Chase Lowe and Stanley Montgomery, and Mitchell-Brown, combined with a strong secondary led by juniors Spinelli and Mike Pacitti (a particularly important breakup late in the second quarter followed by a game-ending interception), squashed Father Judge’s periodic pushes.
“I like how we were able to come together,” said Mitchell-Brown. “We had multiple big plays, multiple big momentum shifters. We were able to keep our cool. We were able to handle adversity.”
Archbishop Ryan coach Mark Ostaszewski lauds his troops after season-opening win over rival Father Judge - PSD Video by John Knebels
Archbishop Ryan celebratory interview with QB Frankie Mawson swells to include WR Damien Morgan and MLB Christon Mitchell-Brown - PSD Video by John KNebels
Citing mature upperclassmen and a team-wide work ethic, second-year Ryan coach Mark Ostaszewski effusively praised his troops.
“This group of kids stuck together,” he said. “It starts in February, March, April. Seeing kids grow, especially these seniors taking control of that locker room, taking control of the young kids. It’s a credit to the leadership on this team.”
Coming off an 0-4 start last year, the Raiders – despite their youth – played like a team on a mission to begin a new campaign with a balanced swagger.
“The emotions are always high during the game,” said Ostaszewski. “You have to block out the noise. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says. It’s all about what’s going on with this group. It’s all about us. All about teammates. All about the person next to you.
“Father Judge is always a good, well-coached team. They fly to the ball. They’re always moving. We knew it was going to be a challenge. It’s always going to be a northeast rivalry game.”
Two weeks ago, Ostaszewski issued a specific challenge.
“We put the game in the offensive line’s hands,” said Ostaszewski. “They deserve some game balls and cheesesteaks when we get back.”
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.)