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People often implore peers and loved ones to provide second chances in the wake of assorted circumstances.
Following his emotional sophomore year at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, Jawan McAllister experienced the less common but equally humble task of asking himself for another opportunity to prove his talent. Close to quitting football, the resident of the 1800 block of Sigel Street renewed his commitment and reveled this season as his Hawks won three titles, including the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAAA state crown Sunday.
“Many people had doubted us, but what they said didn’t matter because we know we could prove them wrong,” the 17-year-old said Monday of toppling previously undefeated Pittsburgh Central Catholic 35-10 at Hersheypark Stadium. “We’d known they were a big team, but we’re no slouches.”
The Prep performers had advanced to the final by dumping Parkland 21-10 and Neshaminy 37-21, with the Point Breeze-situated wide receiver catching four passes for 101 yards, notching a touchdown against the latter foe. He did not register any grabs in the title contest, but he recovered a blocked punt that helped his institution’s momentum-seizing second-half output.
“Individual stats are nice to look at, but at the end of the day, we were looking for a win, and we got it,” McAllister said.
He and his North Philly-based mates, who include South Philly denizens Ed Rementer, Ed Mooney and Joe DuMond, who scored a touchdown Sunday, have customarily attracted the attention of pundits as well-coached, highly disciplined athletes. Playing a robust schedule that featured a season-opening trek to Texas, they hoped to top last year’s run to the Class AAAA Catholic League championship duel, which they dropped to the La Salle High School Explorers 28-27. Proving their preparedness Nov. 8, they ended their rivals’ five-year run as parochial victors, winning 30-20 at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School, with McAllister reaching the end zone twice.
“I’ve wanted to have the best senior year possible, so that was a huge win to get,” the teenager said of avenging last year’s loss and gaining secondary satisfaction against the Explorers, who captured the Catholic League baseball crown May 25 over the Prep, for whom McAllister last season earned First-Team All-Red Division accolades as a middle infielder and center fielder. “We’d beaten them in the regular season, but the playoffs are a different test.”
McAllister had already shown his postseason prowess Oct. 31, taking two offerings from senior quarterback Chris Martin for scores in a 45-24 AAAA semifinal triumph over Roman Catholic. The Hawks clawed their way to the AAAA city championship Nov. 16 with a 10-7 squeaker over Frankford at Northeast High School.
“We didn’t play our best game, but we knew we’d get everything clicking in time for the state competition,” McAllister, whose 32 catches for 485 yards and seven scores secured him his second-straight Second-Team All-Red distinction, said. “It’s a great feeling to know we were able to put it all together. We stayed focused on all our goals and did whatever we needed to do so we could bring back a title for us, coach [Gabe Infante] and our fans. To win three is amazing.”
The youth first donned pads only three years ago, using recollections of watching his brother Jon, a 2010 Chestnut Hill Academy alumnus and present Long Island University Brooklyn matriculator, as inspiration. Like his sibling, McAllister has generated much renown as a baseball player, having begun his career as a T-baller at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 744 S. 17th St. As an Anderson Monarch under the tutelage of coach Steve Bandura, he added basketball and soccer to his pursuits, though the diamond proved the most alluring.
“I enjoy the competition and like growing as a contributor to whatever team I’m on,” McAllister, who also starred for the Philadelphia Senators, occupants of Sunoco Field, 3501 Moore St., said.
Making the transition to football included numerous adjustments, with his enthusiasm for novelty helping him to land a starting spot on the freshman unit. He made the leap to varsity a year later, and though he tallied 21 catches, 270 yards and four scores, he questioned his capacity for continuing to make sacrifices owing to a tough sophomore year.
“It was just a transitional period for me,” McAllister said of a phase that he left behind courtesy of interaction with Infante and reaffirmation of his talent. “I learned so much about myself by deciding to stick with it, and I think I’ve become a better player.”
Having achieved championship glory on the gridiron, he will look to lead the Hawks to baseball brilliance come the spring and will do so as a University of Pittsburgh signee. Having followed him closely last season, the school, where he could major in business, secured his services in July, with McAllister feeling his speed, tenacity and willingness to be a team leader helped the Panthers to find him appealing. Only four days removed from the football celebration, he is slowly switching his mindset to baseball and feels his team can certainly give the Prep another winner.
“I expect a great year from us,” McAllister said. “Like with everything I do, I just want to grow.”
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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