WEST CATHOLIC 55, BOK 0

District-12 2A City Championship

Nov. 8th, 2008

Burrs Capture First City Crown Since 1979

     This past Saturday night the West Catholic football team accomplished something that no other city team has accomplished in nearly three decades. They won a city championship game! There will be three such games this season in District-12, but the Burrs were the first to do it at the 2A class. Before a solid crowd on an overcast and gloomy afternoon, the Burrs convincingly dismissed the Public League’s representative Edward Bok Tech, 55-0.

     Even though the Wildcats entered the game with a (10-0) record, they were no match for the speedy Burrs who improved to (10-1) on the season.

     West scored touchdowns on all seven offensive possessions they had, rolling to 421 yards of offense and 23 first downs. Defensively, they held the Wildcats to 44 total yards and a mere 5 first downs. Even the defense got into the scoring act when junior defensive back Ray Manuel returned an interception 64 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown.

     In the first half Bok made the Burrs work for their scores, but in the end there was no stopping the talented Burr offense.

     Senior quarterback Curtis Drake started the scoring with a 6-yard run that capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive. The defense would strike next by forcing the game’s first turnover. Senior defensive back Rob Hollomon dislodged a ball from a Bok receiver and senior defensive tackle Dwayne Shaw made the recovery at the Wildcat 32-yard line. Two plays later Drake connected down the middle of the field to senior wide receiver Eric Young for a 30-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

     The second quarter would yield two more Burr touchdowns. First, the Drake-to-Young connection struck again, this time for 22 yards. This capped a 9-play, 86-yard drive. Later, Drake and the offense beautifully managed the clock and put a dagger into the Wildcats with their fourth touchdown of the game, with only 20 seconds left in the half.  Running back R. Hollomon provided the honors with a two-yard run. This drive covered 67 yards and took 10 plays.

     In the second half additional touchdowns were had by: Drake (11-yard run), R. Hollomon (17-yard run off lateral), and sophomore fullback Albert Campbell (13-yard run).

     Drake was efficient and often magnificent in the game. He accounted for 193 yards of offense. Passing 8-for-9, for 121 yards and rushing for another 72 yards on 8 carries. R. Hollomon battled for 119 yards on 14 carries. Senior Raymond Maples (7-52) and Campbell (3-47) ran effectively. Young finished with 61 yards on 3 receptions.

     The offensive line, which has been excellent all year long, was solid throughout. This group included: junior center Jake Zuzek, senior tackles Victor McNair and Austin Peters, senior guards Paul Murtagh and Covisia Wilson, and sophomore tight end Jim Lynch.

     Defensively, the Burrs registered three sacks. Junior defensive lineman John Ruppert (4 tackles) had one, senior defensive end Artis Carroll (6 tackles) and junior linebacker Dante Dickens (5 tackles) spilt a sack, and the team recorded another. Other contributing members in the tackling department were; junior linebacker Bill Tobin (five), Manual (five), senior defensive end Chris Williams (five), senior linebacker Devir Moody (four), and defensive tackle Zuzek (four).

     Next week the Burrs will tangle with Ben Franklin in the sub-regional game. The winner of this game will advance into the state playoffs in the following week. Next week’s game will be Friday night at South Philadelphia’s super site complex. The game is scheduled for 7 o’clock.