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St. Joes Prep Shuts Out Imhotep in D12 6A Championship Win

Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

| November 16, 2024

For the last couple of years, everyone in Philadelphia has been asking for a meeting between Imhotep and St. Joes Prep. After all the asking we’ve finally got it. However, it did not live up to the hype. The game started with each defense making stands and forcing the ball to go back and forth. Prep’s defense made the greater stand early and blew open the gates.

“I don’t hear it but I’m sure it’s out there. It’s my job to keep us focused and guide our kids that way as well, same thing with our staff and were doing a great job with that. We’re focused on the gameplan and what has to be done and come out here and take care of business. They executed the gameplan, and that’s what you want to do and it put us in position to win a football game.” Said SJP Coach Tim Roken

Prep came out and dominated from the first quarter to the fourth. It all started with Roman Colaberdino picking off Joey Mcleish off a tipped pass. After both defenses made a stand on each team’s first drive forcing Prep Punt, Tep turnover on downs, and Prep punt again, Colaberdino wanted to change the pace up picking the ball off and bringing it back to the Tep 28-yard-line with 5:51 remaining in the first. It didn’t take much longer for Prep to turn garbage into gold. Ramier Hardy decided to take his anger out on the defender stiff-arming the player to the ground and bringing it into the endzone to give Prep their early  7-0 lead with 4:43 in the first. The first quarter would end still at 7-0 with Prep in control of the ball.

Prep already had the lead to open the second quarter, so this quarter was committed to building that lead. The second opened much like the first with each team’s defense making a stand forcing four and outs. On SJP’s second drive of the quarter, lasting almost exactly three minutes spanning three minutes and three seconds, Charlie Foulke found the freshman Jett Harrison in the back right corner of the endzone. Harrison with outstanding concentration brought in the bobbled ball and put Prep up 14-0 with 7:00 in the half. SJP ended the half putting one more score on the board. After forcing another Tep punt they started at their 21-yard line with 4:48 remaining in the half. Bringing the ball all the way to the 8-yard line with 33 seconds remaining, Foulke found Gavin McConnell for his third passing touchdown of the half and extending the lead to 21-0. Tep took a knee and we went into the half with Prep up 21-0.

The majority of both Prep and Tep’s teams are first-year starters as most of the starters from last year graduated. This would be considered a down year for each team, yet they were both competing for the District championship.

“We’ve been through this as a staff” Said Coach Roken when asked about a bunch of first year starters. He continued on stating that “Every team’s got a one year life expentency” when it comes to high school football.

Tep opened the second half the same way the first half went. Not too good. Prep’s constant pressure left Mcleish under duress on almost every pass. After back-to-back sacks, Tep was forced to punt the ball away. Strong winds in the face of Tep only got the punt to their 40-yard line before Prep took over for their first drive of the second half. After throwing for three touchdowns, Prep let the running game get one. Khyan Billups bounced his way off bodies into the endzone for his first touchdown in the game. Prep now led 28-0 with 6:44 left in the third and no slowing down in sight. And slowing down they did not, on Tep’s next drive, another sack and another punt. Prep started their final drive of the quarter at the Tep 43 with 5:51 remaining in the third. Billups liked one touchdown, so why not have another? A trap play opened up the A gap and Billups shot through grabbing his second to extend the lead to 35-0 with 2:53 in the third. Tep finished off the quarter not going far only getting to their 31-yard line in a 4th and 9 situation with Prep up 35-0.

“I just wanted to come out and do what I needed to do.” Said Billups.

Billups has made his presence this season splitting snaps with Ohio State Commit Isaiah West. After West got hurt earlier in this year, Billups stepped up and filled the hole as RB1.

“The mindset for me every game has just been trusting my linemen, trusting the things that my coaches have been teaching me you know just do what I do. Do what I do best, play football.” said Billups on what his mindset has been since taking over the starting position.

The fourth quarter started with the Mercy rule in place, which meant the clock wouldn’t stop unless there was an injury, timeout, or score. The fourth flew as each team either punted or forced a turnover on downs. Tep didn’t want to be shut out so they didn’t pull their starters while Prep wanted the shutout so they didn’t pull theirs either. As Tep started to drive down the field, they started making some risky throws trying to score. A forced pass into double coverage put the ball right into the hands of S/LB Anthony Sacca. Sacca not only picked it off but housed the pick 96 yards and gave Prep their final score putting them up 42-0. Time went out and Prep won 42-0 winning them the District Championship and advancing them to another week.

Prep is set to face Parkland next week in the 6A Semi-Finals as Prep looks to make their 9th straight championship appearance.

“Last week wasnt the mission, this week wasnt the mission, and we’re grateful to be back together for another week.” Said Coach Roken.

“Just go back, get in the lab, and fix our mistakes.” Said Billups on how Prep will prepare for Parkland.

“It’s try to keep the main thing the main thing. We got to go one and aught next week and try to keep this mission alive.” Said Coach Roken about Parkland.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
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