Where Smith went was 100 yards, 101 yards to be exact, toting the deciding play of the game in Imhotep’s 16-0 victory over rival Abraham Lincoln on Saturday in the Philadelphia Public League championship.
Smith traveled 101 yards with a third-quarter pick six to propel the Panthers into the PIAA District 12 Class 6A championship against La Salle next Saturday, Nov. 15, at Northeast High School as part of a District 12 Class 4A/6A doubleheader, coupled with Cardinal O’Hara taking on West Philadelphia in the District 12 Class 4A game.
The Imhotep-La Salle game is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. after the O’Hara-West Philly game at 11 a.m.
Imhotep (8-4) possibly might not be going anywhere if Smith did not step in front of a Kareem Moore Jr. pass a yard into the end zone on a third-and-goal play at the Panthers’ 11. Smith saw a crease down the near sideline and took off, untouched for an Imhotep school record 101-yard interception return and a commanding 16-0 lead with 6:16 left in the third quarter.
At the time, it was the first best chance for Lincoln (7-5) to score and possibly draw to within a point of the Panthers. Imhotep was clinging to a 9-0 lead, thanks to a first-quarter safety and sophomore tailback Kassan Chappelle’s second-quarter 15-yard scoring run.
It was also crucial because Lincoln was moving the ball and dominating the time of possession in the third quarter, running off 18 plays and having possession for 8:43 of the quarter, to Imhotep’s seven plays and 3:17 time of possession.
It was the second career touchdown for Smith, the first on defense. And it was easily the longest he has ever run on one play in a game.
“Never in my life have ever run that long,” Smith said, laughing. “I had to make a play. It’s my senior year. I didn’t want this to be my last game. I prepared for this, saw the quarterback’s eyes and read the play. They were trying to run a pick route, and knock off our defensive back. My main goal was to score. My teammates were blocking for me, and I was getting a little tired there near the end.
“We lost to Lincoln the first time (26-25, which snapped Imhotep’s 35-game Public League winning streak on Oct. 18). We didn’t show up. We had to fix our mistakes.”
Smith was joined by numerous Imhotep defenders who had stellar games, like senior linebacker Charles Belser, who was all over the field; freshman defensive back Basil Reid, who came up to make a big stop on the Lincoln drive that ended with Smith’s interception; junior defensive tackle Joseph Sondah, who was disruptive most of the game, until he left with leg cramps; and sophomore defensive back Kaleb Woseley, the younger brother of former Panthers’ star Kenny Woseley, now playing for Penn State, who ended Lincoln’s comeback hopes with an interception in the end zone with 6:04 to play.
“That last game against Lincoln was a hurt piece right there,” Kaleb Woseley said. “Lincoln thought they had the better athletes to beat us one-on-one. That didn’t. We learned from the first game not to take our opponents lightly.”
There was a revenge factor placed on this game, and Imhotep coach Devon Johnson did not run away from that. He was gravely disappointed in his team’s play in the first Lincoln game, because of the standard he had built at Imhotep.
“It was sweet revenge,” Johnson said. “We didn’t show up the first game, and there was definitely something missing. It was a reality check for us. We needed something to get our attention, because we needed to get our guys turned around. Look around. There is a bunch of alumni here, because they reminded our guys of the standard we have.
“Jordan is the kind of player who does everything the right way. We know how great a player he is, and I’m happy that he is finally getting his accolades.”
Smith has no college destination right now. He is talking to Temple, Duquesne and Monmouth. And he is now armed with game tape of a play that lasts a long time.
“It is frustrating not knowing where I am going to college,” Smith admitted. “I take my frustration out on the field.”
A 101 yards at a time.
Scoring Summary
Abraham Lincoln (7-5) 0 0 0 0-0
Imhotep Charter (8-4) 2 7 0 7-16
1st Quarter
I – Safety (Running back tackled in end zone), 2:10
2nd Quarter
I – Kassan Chappelle 15 run (Joey McLeish kick), 5:12
3rd Quarter
I – Jordan Smith 100 INT return (McLeish kick), 6:16
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been covering high school football since 1992 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be followed on Twitter @JSantoliquito. Follow EasternPAFootball.com on Twitter @EPAFootball.