Changing fields

Around Edward Bok Tech, most know Joe "Pepe" DeSalis as the All-Public shortstop for the school baseball team.

Far fewer realized that DeSalis played football for the Wildcats. That was always the sport the 17-year-old senior took on just for fun.

But now that DeSalis is Bok’s starting quarterback, things are getting serious.

In last Thursday’s 26-6 win over Ben Franklin, the compact 5-foot-6 passer connected with senior teammate Nafis Edwards for touchdown strikes of 68 and 34 yards, marking his second straight two-touchdown performance.

After the game, DeSalis was quick to share the credit.

"The offensive line is blocking and the receivers are getting open," he said.

Like most city teams, Bok uses a run-oriented offense. The Wildcats passed six times against Franklin, and that’s considered a lot.

But DeSalis is making the most of his throws. He also tossed two touchdown passes in a 40-14 win against Overbook on Oct. 1. Teaming with Edwards has led to three touchdowns this season.

"Nafis catches everything as long as I get the ball there," DeSalis said.

Coach Tom DeFelice is impressed with how well his athletes are connecting, but he doesn’t plan to adjust his strategies.

"You can’t play great every game, but you can play smart every game," he said. "We think almost like a cobra — we strike when we have to."

DeSalis, too, has been watching and waiting to become the Wildcats quarterback. After playing junior varsity as a freshman, he spent the next two years on varsity, playing backup quarterback and cornerback. DeSalis said he was always confident that his time would come.

"We had a senior quarterback [Allen Major] last year," said the athlete, who grew up playing QB for the South Philadelphia Seminoles. "It didn’t matter to me because I knew I would just start this year."

DeSalis also is proving himself on defense, most recently by intercepting a potential Franklin touchdown pass in the end zone, helping Bok maintain its 8-0 halftime lead.

The DeSalis clan enjoys taking in every snap. Mom Nancy, wearing a replica of her son’s Wildcats jersey, watches from her end zone lawn chair, while dad John takes in the action from the sidelines. It’s a nice surprise for the parents, who weren’t so sure their son was going to play high-school football.

Baseball, however, was always a sure thing. DeSalis started playing the sport at age 4 in the Delaware Valley Youth Athletic Association, 18th and Johnston streets. He still practices fielding grounders every day with his dad at Sabres Field, Seventh Street and Packer Avenue. And DeSalis proved his abilities as a shortstop-catcher by earning All-Public honors his sophomore and junior years.

When one of the athlete’s former youth coaches suggested he go out for Bok’s football team freshman year, DeSalis took what has turned out to be valuable advice.

The Wildcats head into Saturday’s non-league game against Dobbins with a 4-1 record, which includes a 4-0 mark in Public League South play. Bok could clinch the division title next Thursday afternoon with a win over Bartram. This season’s success produces a complication for the Wildcats, whose record as the best of the city’s AAA teams entitles them to a berth in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Association AAA state tournament.

But if the Wildcats compete for the state title, it would mean passing up the opportunity to play for the Public League crown (now officially known as the PIAA District XII title).

DeFelice reviewed the options with his team after last Thursday’s game, and said players, coaches and school administrators all will have input in the decision.

Whichever way the team goes, it will be another milestone for DeSalis.

"It feels good," he said. "It makes me want to play harder."

At least for now, it looks as if baseball has become his secondary sport.

Public South standings (through 10/13)

Bok 4-0
Bartram 3-0
Overbrook 2-2
Franklin 1-2
Southern 1-2
West Philadelphia 1-3
University City 0-3

2004 Bok schedule
King, L 16-8
University City, W 6-0
Southern, W 22-6
Overbrook, W 40-14
Ben Franklin, W 26-6
Saturday Dobbin Away 11 a.m.
Oct. 21 Bartram Home 3 p.m.
Oct. 29 West Philadelphia Away 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 Quarterfinals
Nov. 13 Semifinals
Nov. 20 Championship