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September is typically a month for high school football teams to work out the kinks on offense, defense and special teams before the league games begin later this month. Those games will determine who makes the playoff cut.
Defending Public League Class AA champs Bok Wildcats haven’t skipped a beat, outscoring its first two opponents by a combined scored of 74-8. Last Thursday, the squad from Eighth and Mifflin streets crushed University City, 38-8. Khalil Neal led the way with 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Gary Jackson added two scores of his own.
Combined with Bok’s opening week 36-0 victory over Southern, Neal has amassed more than 200 yards on the crown and leads the Wildcats with 22 points. The ‘Cats return to 10th and Bigler streets 3 p.m. today for a home match against Fels. Bok opens its Class AA schedule Sept. 25 at Imhotep Charter.
The Furness Falcons evened its record to 1-1 thanks to last Friday’s 12-0 shutout over Fels. Running back Sharif Smith led the offense with 63 rushing yards and scored his second touchdown of the season. His first came in a 28-6 loss to Episcopal in week one. Ryan Johnson also scored for the Falcons. The squad opens its league schedule today at 3 p.m. at FitzSimons. Furness won last year’s meeting, 14-0.
The 0-2 Southern Rams are coming off a narrow 8-6 defeat to Olney. The upside is the boys from Broad Street and Snyder Avenue made improvements after its opening week loss to rival Bok. Izeem Sims scored the team’s first touchdown of the season. Sean Allen rushed 135 yards after only tallying 17 against the Wildcats. On the receiving end, Shaquille Gaskins caught two balls for 53 yards. The Rams have another tough one tomorrow afternoon at the South Philly super site, as the 1-0 Central Lancers travel down South Broad for a non-league game at 3.
Over in Class A, the Prep Charter Huskies are still seeking its first victory of the young season. The team opened the month with a 26-7 loss to Imhotep and last week’s match against Esperanza was canceled as a result of the opposition dropping its program. Saturday, the team hosts Oley Valley of PIAA District 3 under the 10th and Bigler lights at 6 p.m.
On the Catholic League scene, first year head coach Rich Carfagno and his Neumann-Goretti Saints are still seeking their first points and a win of the new season after coming out on the losing end of back-to-back shutouts. Last weekend, the squad from 10th and Moore streets suffered a 34-0 defeat to Wyomissing. Anthony Mastrando had an interception in the loss. Saturday, the local squad travels to Cheltenham for a non-league tilt against 2-0 Bishop McDevitt. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
