Ahead in the game

Team: Bok Wildcats
Coach: Tom DeFelice, 13th season
Home field: 11th and Bigler streets
Division: AAA
PIAA classification: AAA

The Bok players and coaches were extra excited about Friday’s trip to Upper Moreland. DeFelice said, as far as he knows, it was the Wildcats first ever night game. Last fall’s state tournament play against Great Valley was scheduled for a Friday night, but was postponed to Saturday afternoon due to inclement weather.

Friday, the players and coaches stopped at a Willow Grove area pizza joint for a pre-game meal.

"I guess joining the PIAA afforded us the opportunity to schedule and play night games," DeFelice said.

Better yet, the Wildcats came home 10-0 winners. Running back Luke Lassiter sparked the offense with 151 rushing yards, which included scoring the game’s lone touchdown on a four-yard run in the second quarter. Upper Moreland drove late in the game, but their quarterback fumbled the ball with just over two minutes remaining. It was recovered by Wildcats senior defensive end Michael McClarin.

DeFelice said many of his players entered the year lacking football and game experience. The match-up was a good preliminary test for the Public League season.

Senior James Jones, who was the back-up quarterback last season, has inherited the starting role. The 5-foot-8 athlete also plays basketball and runs track for the Wildcats.

"He makes up for his [lack of size] with the knowledge and skill he has," DeFelice said.

2004 recap: The Wildcats won the South Division title with a 6-0 record, which included a 26-6 victory over Ben Franklin that qualified Bok for the state tournament. They lost 35-0 to Great Valley in the subregional semifinal of the PIAA state tournament.

Key players: Jones, senior quarterback; Nick Perrone, senior linebacker-nose guard; Cortez McLaughlin, senior linebacker; Dahson Exum, senior linebacker-defensive end; Shon Tompkins, senior defensive tackle; Bryant Whitney, senior offensive-defensive tackle; McClarin, senior defensive end-offensive guard.

Perrone and McLaughlin are returning All-Public selections.

Key losses: The Wildcats have to replace All-Public running back Cory Moultrie, who rushed for a school record of 279 yards in last season’s loss to Dobbins. The graduating athlete led Bok with 890 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Joe "Pepe" DeSalis, the 2005 Review Male Athlete of the Year, and All-Public receiver Nafis Edwards also have graduated.

Team to be beat: Ben Franklin

Coach’s outlook: "We are so concerned about the basic skills right now that we are taking it one game at a time."

AAA DIVISION

Ben Franklin

Bok
Freire Charter
Imhotep Charter
William Penn
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Team: Southern Rams
Coach: Bill Edger, sixth season
Home field: 11th and Bigler streets
Division: Blue
PIAA classification: AAAA

The Rams opened camp last month with some major lineup holes with the biggest loss being offensive spark plug Lamone Fox. Fox transferred to Northeast High following a record-breaking season at Southern. They also lost quarterback Jalil Harris to graduation.

When the Rams took to the field for Friday’s non-league opener against West Philadelphia, coach Bill Edger had some concerns as to whether his team was ready for competition. The 14-12 win was certainly a good start.

"We did a better job on Friday than I expected," he said.

Edgar said seniors Ricky Nguyen, Demetrius Tillman and Anthony Bouie provided strong blocking up front. Sophomore running back Tyrell Cooper led the Rams offense with 70 rushing yards on 12 carries, including a three-yard touchdown run. Senior running back Steven Burroughs scored the first touchdown on a 51-yard run. Senior defensive back Kerry Dunbar had a big game on defense with two interceptions.

2004 recap: The Rams finished 2-4 in division play, but the squad’s overall 6-5 record and Thanksgiving Day victory over Neumann-Goretti were season highlights. It was Southern’s first winning season since 1997.

Key players: Kareem Williams, junior quarterback; Eric Whitaker, junior slotback-defensive back; Cooper, sophomore running back-linebacker; Burroughs, senior running back-linebacker; Jason Saab, senior receiver-safety; Devon Green, senior wide receiver-defensive back; Angelo Turner, senior strong safety; Dunbar, senior defensive back; Jamehl Bashir, junior defensive end-tight end; Bouie, senior center; Tillman, senior offensive tackle-defensive end; and Nguyen, senior offensive-defensive lineman.

Key loss: With Fox gone, Edger has a major hole in Rams offense. In 2004, the running back set a school record with 1,281 rushing yards to go along with 19 touchdowns.

"As far as offensive production goes, it hurts, but we are going to move on," Edger said.

Teams to be beat: Lincoln and Overbrook

Coach’s outlook: "We want to win the division. Everyone in the division is on an even playing field."

BLUE DIVISION

Edison
Lincoln
Olney
Overbrook
Southern
University City

Key games

Oct. 28 Bok at Ben Franklin

Just like last season, this game will probably decide the Public League’s AAA representative in the PIAA state tournament. Since neither will be playing for the PIAA District XII title, a trip to states is the grand prize. Last fall, Bok was the first team in city history to qualify for the PIAA state tournament.

Nov. 4 Bok at Southern

South Philly’s two Public League squads might be in separate divisions, but the rivalry continues. Even though recent contests haven’t been close, including last season’s 22-6 win by Bok, it’s a chance for the local athletes to battle it out for neighborhood bragging rights.

Nov. 24 Southern at Neumann-Goretti

The Rams sent shock waves through the South Philly community last season with a 30-26 win over Neumann-Goretti — their first since 1989, which also ended a 13-year losing streak. This year, the Saints are a much-improved team with a 2-0 record that matches their 2004 win total. Meanwhile, Southern will have to triumph without Fox, who rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns last year’s contest.