Imhotep Charter Playing For Philadelphia In State Title Game
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — Some of them still feel that sting—and it happened two years ago. But tonight at 7 p.m. at Hersheypark Stadium, when undefeated 14-0 Imhotep Charter takes the field against Cathedral Prep in the PIAA Class AAA state championship, the ghost of the Panthers' 41-0 loss to South Fayette in 2013 in the state Class AA title game will be lurking.
The core group of Imhotep seniors know what it's like to step off the field without making history. It's why they're so driven this year to correct that. Their view goes beyond just the team. Imhotep knows it's playing to become the first Philadelphia Public League team to win a state championship in football. They're playing for all of the "Pub" kids who play at 3 on Friday afternoons when most of their parents can't make the games to see them.
"There is a bigger picture out there," said Imhotep's massive 6-foot-3, 336-pound senior offensive guard Johncarlo Valentin. "In 2013, that was our first time being there. South Fayette punched us in the mouth and we never got back up. I will guarantee that this will be a totally different feeling this time around. You'll see guys flying everywhere (tonight). We're ready to go. We want to take it home this year. We know they have some monsters over there, but we have some monsters over here on this team, too. We know how people look at us. Certain people look down on us because we're a 'Pub team.' We're not stupid. We know what that means. We're supposed to be undisciplined and all over the place. We'll see. I like the fact people look down on us. It gives us more motivation."
Imhotep is ranked No. 13 in the country by USA Today and has outscored its three playoff opponents 138-57, beating them by an average of 46-19.
Cathedral Prep is 14-1, beating Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg), where Shady McCoy went to high school, to reach the state championship. The Ramblers are led by linebackers Matt Bauer and Jerry Roberts, and have feature 315-pound Shane Scott on the offensive line. The backfield tandem of Sullivan Johnson and Ta'Nauz Gregory are a dangerous pair.
Imhotep counters with a massive front featuring Valentin, Yasir Durant and Jahmir Johnson, who together average 309 pounds. Add in Florida State tight end commit Naseir Upshur and surging senior tailback Mike Waters, who's rushed for over 1,500 rushing yards, and the Panthers are a tough team to stop. Throughout the season, they've dominated, outscoring everyone 662-101 after beating state semifinalist Saucon Valley 72-27 last week.
"It's just one thought, one mission," Valentin said. "That's to win the state title."
