(Photo by Jahmir Dunbar for PSD)
BY JOHN KNEBELS
(PHOTOS BY JAHMIR DUNBAR FOR PSD)
MECHANICSBURG – As the glitter has settled and life has become normal, the glorious recall of Bonner-Prendergast High School’s state football title continues to resonate for those who collectively etched a historic accomplishment.
Looking back at the Friars’ 40-14 romp over previously undefeated Lampeter Strasburg in the PIAA Class 4A championship on a freezing cold December 5 at Cumberland Valley High School’s beautiful Chapman Field, a “big play” theme ultimately paved the way for the school’s first-ever football crown.
“I’m not even sure how many big plays I had,” said senior two-way starter Jeremiah Coleman. “I knew this was my last high school game, and if we wanted to win, I had to play hard. So, the plays that I did make made me feel ecstatic. It’s a confidence booster for my teammates and me.”
It’s appropriate to begin with Coleman when assessing how Bonner-Prendergast completely turned around the momentum that had somehow taken a 180-degree turn in favor of Lampeter Strasburg in the second quarter.
After Bonner scored two touchdowns – the first of four TDs by senior two-way standout Mick Johnson, and then an offensive fumble recovery score by teammate Saleem Frink – in the first quarter and appeared totally in control, Lampeter Strasburg tied the contest with two second-quarter touchdowns in a span of 4 minutes, 14 seconds and was trying to take its first lead in the final minute of the first half.
Then Coleman – who earlier had snared a15-yard reception on a fourth-and-10 that led to B-P’s first touchdown – came out of nowhere to make an interception at midfield with 2:32 remaining.
Two plays later on a third-and-five, sophomore quarterback Noel Campbell connected with senior Jalil Hall for a 40-yard gain. On the next play, Johnson bounced home from the four to give the Friars a 21-14 lead.
Incredibly, the Friars had one more huge play in their backpack.
On the last play of the half, a Lampeter Strasburg pass was intercepted by Brett Johnson, and the senior defensive back returned the pick – his second theft of the day, the first of which had led to the Friars’ second touchdown – – 60 yards for a back-breaking touchdown and a 27-14 B-P advantage.
“It felt amazing to make big plays in that game, but the best part about it all was seeing the smiles on my teammates and families’ faces after the game,” said Johnson. “Also, knowing how many people were watching at home and rooting for us just made it even better. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
From that point, Lampeter Strasburg struggled to dent a fired-up Bonner-Prendergast defense led by aforementioned Mick Johnson (six tackles), aforementioned Brett Johnson (six tackles, two interceptions), sophomore Cole Romano (six tackles), junior Ashton Woodward (five tackles), aforementioned Jalil Hall (four tackles), and junior CJ Amobi, who, along with three tackles, notched two of the Friars’ five sacks.
The Friars’ offense, however, was far from finished.
In the third quarter, Mick Johnson scored on a three-yard run, culminating a nine-play, 86-yard drive. During the 4 minute, 7-second jaunt, Johnson gained 38 of his 118 yards. In the fourth, the Friars closed the scoring with 11:01 remaining in regulation when, following a fumble recovery and subsequent 15-yard return by Coleman at the end of the third, Johnson rumbled into the end zone from the five.
Johnson’s fourth touchdown – the fifth time he has reached the quad mark this year – gave him a jaw-dropping 30 for the season.
“The classes before us were a big reason for our success,” said Brett Johnson. “None of us would be going to Bonner without them. They were great role models and pushed us to be better every day.
“They just made us want it more. We came very close last year and lost to Dallas. The year before that, we lost to Crestwood, and the year before that, we lost to Shanahan. We just wanted to get it done for all the great players that played before us.”
Bonner-Prendie's Mick Johnson scored 4 TD's in State Championship Game. (Photo/ Jahmir Dunbar for PSD)
Head Coach Jack Muldoon celebrates holding state trophy with son senior WR Brady and wife Jackie. (Photo/ Jahmir Dunbar for PSD)
Bonner-Prendergast alumni would have been proud throughout the tournament, which included one-sided victories over West Philadelphia (50-16), Pope John Paul II (35-7), and Southern Lehigh (55-26).
The championship, though, encompassed all that Bonner-Prendergast had learned during a challenging stretch in the brutally tough Catholic League Red Division, highlighted by a thoroughly impressive 38-30 win over Roman Catholic, which ultimately lost an overtime heartbreaker in the Class 5A final.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am, how proud I am of this team, and our program, and of the school,” said elated B-P coach Jack Muldoon. “It was important for us not just to get to this game, but to win it. We kept talking about finishing.”
Indeed, it was against Lampeter Strasburg when the Friars displayed their full mettle with those key timely contributions by so many performers.
The Friars’ first two touchdowns, in fact, involved not only the offensive line and running back Mick Johnson, but players like freshman Kevin Hunter and Frink. It was a hustling Hunter who seemed to have recovered a Johnson fumble in the end zone before it was ruled that Johnson had broken the plane for game’s first score. It was a mindfully alert Frink who actually did recover a Johnson fumble at the L-P two-yard line and dive forward for a 14-0 lead.
“It was definitely a game-changer,” said Frink. “It was incredible to shift the momentum like that. The excitement and energy from the crowd was electrifying.”
Of all the highlight moments supplied by guys like Campbell, Mick Johnson, Frink, Hall, and Coleman, the interception touchdown return by Brett Johnson on the last play of the second quarter arguably stood out from the rest.
“I remember right after I caught the ball, it felt unreal,” said Johnson. “Then I thought about earlier in the season when I caught an interception against the Haverford School and got caught at the one-yard line. I thought to myself, ‘I’m not getting stopped this time.’
“When I was in the end zone, it was unreal seeing all the lights flashing and hearing all the fans scream. It felt like a college game.”
The post-game celebration and joyous ride home transitioned nicely when the Friars went into school the next day.
“It was exciting and felt like amazing seeing everybody celebrate and congratulate us,” said Coleman. “It feels good knowing that you have a whole school on your back when getting big games like this and when we come out with the ‘W’, everybody goes nuts. Everybody goes crazy in the school. Everybody loves you. If only people could see how much love and good things come your way after you win something that big . . . it’s like the best thing you can ever achieve as a high school football player.
“I think the school is planning big things for the team. I know since we won the state championship, they gave us a day off of school, so that’s exciting.”
What to do on a day off from school? Maybe sit back with a snack and re-watch a championship filled with big plays from numerous contributors.
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.)