Archbishop Ryan Student Section - PSD file photo
Father Judge Student Section - PSD file photo
PHILADELPHIA – Regardless of their records, there are two schools that circle a certain game in indelible ink when the schedule comes out.
At 7 PM Saturday at Northeast High School, Father Judge will meet Archbishop Ryan in a Catholic League Red Division football opener.
On paper, this year’s battle appears destined to be a one-sided affair, but statistics alone do not explain the prelude to an annual event that has seesawed over the past seven seasons, with neither team winning in consecutive years ever since Judge enjoyed a six-game winning streak from 2006 through 2011. That brief dominance helps explain the Crusaders’ narrow 27-26-3 all-time series lead.
“It’s still a big rival in the neighborhood,” said Father Judge senior quarterback Shane Dooley, who has rushed for six touchdowns and thrown eight scoring passes, six to senior Katob Joseph. “Everyone loves this game. Everyone in the hall talks about this game more than any other.
“Everyone always asks people what they’re doing this weekend, and this week, everybody says, ‘Judge-Ryan game.’ It’s for bragging rights.”
Father Judge holds a narrow 27-26-3 all-time series lead in the Northeast Classic vs. Archbishop Ryan - PSD Photo
Ryan senior safety and receiver Kyron Long says it’s pretty much the same scenario exactly 4.1 miles away.
“This game is extremely important,” said Long. “Everyone from the farther northeast knows when Ryan and Judge are playing, and the game is extremely personal. This is a game you don’t want to miss.”
No team in the tri-state area has played better than Archbishop Ryan.
Through five games – all double-digit wins – the Raiders have averaged 42 points per game against 19 allowed.
While the offense revolves around super-sophomore Tyreek Chappell, who is coming off a 14-carry, 219-yard, four-touchdown performance against Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy and has caught 15 passes for 410 yards and seven touchdowns (he also returned a kickoff for a score, giving him 12 TDs so far), the Raiders’ defense has been overlooked.
Archbishop Ryan Football - PSD Video by Zamani Feelings
Ryan’s line consists of senior John O’Brien, junior Chris Brown, junior Kyle Davis, and sophomore Taleeq Robbins; senior Colin Boyd, junior Nate Kennish, and junior Julian Jones (currently injured but might play against Judge; Jones also has seven rushing touchdowns) are at linebacker. The secondary of corners Chappell and senior Mekhi Lang and safeties Justin Collier (junior) and Long has already intercepted seven passes.
Boyd is responsible for three picks.
“This is a big neighborhood rivalry,” said Boyd. “We all know the kids we’re playing against. We gotta prepare right this week and come out like we always do.”
Judge senior offensive lineman and linebacker Mike Trask said student familiarity is the glue that makes the rivalry work every year.
But, he says, it’s more than just the current and future alums of Judge and Ryan that hunker down in the Northeast High stands and watch teenage gladiators clash for neighborhood supremacy.
“All the area schools always come out for that game,” said Trask. “The energy is always high. Ryan has had a good start this season. Judge is just staying focused on playing smart and hard. It should be a good game.”
Father Judge Football - PSD Video by Zamani Feelings
Prediction? Oops, all out of time . . .
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)