Imhotep Charter School 13-0, Philadelphia Public League-3A Division
vs
Erie Cathedral Prep 13-0, District 10 League, Region 6
Wow….this looks like a good one and it’s a rematch! Last year saw Imhotep win in a laugher, 40-3. This followed routs of Saucon Valley 72-27, Academy Park 46-16 and the real final where they beat Archbishop Wood in the District-12 title game 20-14. And with Cathedral Prep young in a number of key positions (so is ICS) it could get ugly again, especially after struggling last week beating Berks Catholic 28-14. Berks is good football but this was not a special edition, losing to Exeter 35-20. Yet the Saints got 25 1st downs against Cathedral with two backs topping 100 yards rushing (Wilson, Lutz) while failing to score on two other trips inside the 10. This was not a strong showing by the Ramblers. Berks was not Beca!
ECP’s weapons are centered on second year starting quarterback Joe Mischler (5-11, 185, Jr) with 2768 passing yards (60%) and 38 touchdowns. His favorite target is Tyler Oedekoven (6-0, 175, Jr) with 1120 yards in receptions. The backs are junior Matt Lupo (5-9, 190, 840yds) and Bill Lucas (6-0, 190, 802yds), a sophomore. Maybe the Ramblers are a year ahead of schedule? The lines are a strength, featuring OG/DE Frank Scruggs 6-3 265 (Everyone!), Cam Landis 6-2 290 and 6-2 245 Chris Smith at TE/DE. DT Dom Covatto 6-3 315, Evan Presta 6-4 260, DE Chris Smith and DT Scruggs form an experienced line backed by 3 veteran Linebackers, juniors Ryan Sargent 6-0 195 and Matt Bauer 6-3 220, and senior Jerry Roberts 6-1 230. Behind them is a veteran secondary. The offense is huge at 47ppg (soft schedule?), their largest since 2013’s 13-1 team that scored 50ppg, losing to Bishop McDevitt 47-42 in the semifinal. The defense allows 14ppg.
About Imhotep Charter School, there isn’t much that hasn’t been said about them on their quest for a second straight PIAA State Championship. Going 15-0 last year sees them on a 28 game winning streak, averaging 42ppg allowing 4. Here’s the short form: They have extreme team speed, a bunch of big guys up front with waves of speedy receivers and running backs leaving you gulping for air. Outside the Pub against recognized, talented teams including Malvern Prep, O’Hara, North Pocono and Bethlehem Catholic, they’ve averaged 37ppg and allowed 8. Last week was unique in that they experienced their most competitive game of the season at Northern Lehigh High School (Slatington), gutting out a 24-13 win. It was quite a game with the Panthers holding onto a narrow 18-13 lead going into the 4th quarter. Realistically, all the Golden Hawks had was a passing attack but it was almost enough with Javon Clements completing 16 of 27 for 220 yards. Their rushing total was a mere 22 yards. ICS’s underrated Nasir Boykin had another strong outing completing 11 of 19 passes for 194 yards and 1 touchdown. Beca had no answer for Amir Brown, Justin Harris or Jeff Davis who caught 10 passes for 178 yards….or Isheem Young who had 124 yards rushing. Boykin also got loose for 52 yards on 11 carries. The great thing about this one is we got to see how the Panther’s held up against “real” competition, a team with history and tradition in a hostile environment. That’s exactly what they’ll face Thursday night in Hershey minus the hostility against Cathedral Prep. This should be a great game, testing Cathedral’s ability to manage Imhotep’s physicality….which they probably can….extreme depth, running fresh backs at you, and unending speed, speed that is seen at every position on both sides of the ball.
vs
Erie Cathedral Prep 13-0, District 10 League, Region 6
Wow….this looks like a good one and it’s a rematch! Last year saw Imhotep win in a laugher, 40-3. This followed routs of Saucon Valley 72-27, Academy Park 46-16 and the real final where they beat Archbishop Wood in the District-12 title game 20-14. And with Cathedral Prep young in a number of key positions (so is ICS) it could get ugly again, especially after struggling last week beating Berks Catholic 28-14. Berks is good football but this was not a special edition, losing to Exeter 35-20. Yet the Saints got 25 1st downs against Cathedral with two backs topping 100 yards rushing (Wilson, Lutz) while failing to score on two other trips inside the 10. This was not a strong showing by the Ramblers. Berks was not Beca!
ECP’s weapons are centered on second year starting quarterback Joe Mischler (5-11, 185, Jr) with 2768 passing yards (60%) and 38 touchdowns. His favorite target is Tyler Oedekoven (6-0, 175, Jr) with 1120 yards in receptions. The backs are junior Matt Lupo (5-9, 190, 840yds) and Bill Lucas (6-0, 190, 802yds), a sophomore. Maybe the Ramblers are a year ahead of schedule? The lines are a strength, featuring OG/DE Frank Scruggs 6-3 265 (Everyone!), Cam Landis 6-2 290 and 6-2 245 Chris Smith at TE/DE. DT Dom Covatto 6-3 315, Evan Presta 6-4 260, DE Chris Smith and DT Scruggs form an experienced line backed by 3 veteran Linebackers, juniors Ryan Sargent 6-0 195 and Matt Bauer 6-3 220, and senior Jerry Roberts 6-1 230. Behind them is a veteran secondary. The offense is huge at 47ppg (soft schedule?), their largest since 2013’s 13-1 team that scored 50ppg, losing to Bishop McDevitt 47-42 in the semifinal. The defense allows 14ppg.
About Imhotep Charter School, there isn’t much that hasn’t been said about them on their quest for a second straight PIAA State Championship. Going 15-0 last year sees them on a 28 game winning streak, averaging 42ppg allowing 4. Here’s the short form: They have extreme team speed, a bunch of big guys up front with waves of speedy receivers and running backs leaving you gulping for air. Outside the Pub against recognized, talented teams including Malvern Prep, O’Hara, North Pocono and Bethlehem Catholic, they’ve averaged 37ppg and allowed 8. Last week was unique in that they experienced their most competitive game of the season at Northern Lehigh High School (Slatington), gutting out a 24-13 win. It was quite a game with the Panthers holding onto a narrow 18-13 lead going into the 4th quarter. Realistically, all the Golden Hawks had was a passing attack but it was almost enough with Javon Clements completing 16 of 27 for 220 yards. Their rushing total was a mere 22 yards. ICS’s underrated Nasir Boykin had another strong outing completing 11 of 19 passes for 194 yards and 1 touchdown. Beca had no answer for Amir Brown, Justin Harris or Jeff Davis who caught 10 passes for 178 yards….or Isheem Young who had 124 yards rushing. Boykin also got loose for 52 yards on 11 carries. The great thing about this one is we got to see how the Panther’s held up against “real” competition, a team with history and tradition in a hostile environment. That’s exactly what they’ll face Thursday night in Hershey minus the hostility against Cathedral Prep. This should be a great game, testing Cathedral’s ability to manage Imhotep’s physicality….which they probably can….extreme depth, running fresh backs at you, and unending speed, speed that is seen at every position on both sides of the ball.
