Archbishop Ryan student section - PSD photo by Kevin Murphy
Father Judge student section - PSD Photo by Kevin Murphy
CATHOLIC LEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK
Who: Archbishop Ryan vs. Father Judge
When: 7:30 PM Friday, September 15
Where: Northeast High School
Records: Archbishop Ryan 1-2; Father Judge 1-2
Most Recent Performance: Archbishop Ryan defeated Edison, 42-0; Father Judge lost to Germantown Academy, 21-20, in overtime.
Importance: Not only is this a Red Division opener, but this neighborhood rivalry has taken place on 55 different occasions. Father Judge has won the last two meetings and owns a slim 27-25-3 lead, but where it counts the most – in the playoffs – Archbishop Ryan leads, 4-2. The victor will own bragging rights for a calendar year and show off the annual Ryan-Judge trophy in its front office.
Father Judge hoists the coveted NE Classic Trophy - photo by Angelise Stuhl
Ryan Notes: Archbishop Ryan junior quarterback Jahlil Sanders rarely throws the ball. When he does, he looks for junior wideout Kyron Long (8 catches for 85 yards) and senior running back Jason Jefferson (4 for 107) . . . Raiders have scored nine rushing touchdowns, two apiece by Sanders (13 carries for 116 yards) and Jefferson (11 for 35) . . . Ryan’s defense has intercepted three passes, and senior Dan McBride scored on a fumble return.
Judge Notes: Junior QB Shane Dooley has fired six touchdown passes, including a pair to senior Steve Arrington (9 catches, 190 yards) and one to junior Katob Joseph (9 for 113). Joseph has also gained 105 yards rushing on 21 carries, returned a kickoff for a score, and notched an interception . . . Senior Tim Weldon has accrued 176 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries.
Ryan vs. Judge - past game photos taken by Kevin Murphy
Raider Chat: “It’s very special to me,” said ninth-year Ryan coach Frank McArdle. “I grew up around the Father Judge program. My dad was an assistant from 1974 to 1993. My dad and uncle are in the Father Judge football Hall of Fame. I have had four uncles play there. I have known (former Judge coach) Whitey Sullivan since the day I was born. Myself and two brothers played at Ryan, plus cousins. So I feel like I have been on both sides. It’s a special rivalry. It’s the last of its kind in today’s open enrollment era.”
Crusader Chat: “Me and the team definitely still think (the rivalry) is a big deal,” said Father Judge senior receiver/linebacker Nick Conway. “It’s huge to us seniors because we’re a big rival from the Northeast and we want to bring the trophy back to Solly Ave. for our last year. All the kids know each other and it’s always a dogfight between us.”
“Our students really show up for this game more than any other, but honestly I take it as any other game just because I don't like to get too high or to low for an upcoming opponent,” said Father Judge junior quarterback Shane Dooley. “I try to keep all the fans and sideline stuff out of my head, but while saying that you do feel a little different during the week against Ryan just because it's like the battle of the northeast and throughout the school week during school, teachers and students – that's all they talk about for the upcoming weekend. That’s the plan on everyone's agenda, so really, I do think it's still a rivalry, but for me as a player I try to keep everything out of my mind and treat the opposing team how I do every team.”
Prediction: Archbishop Ryan scores late and survives a see-saw battle, emerging with a 26-20 victory.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com.)