PIAA Class 3A: Imhotep Charter (12) 14-0 preview

Written by: David Mika on Tuesday, December 15th, 2015. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

 

What would it mean for Imhotep Charter to win the game?

Imhotep Charter would be the first Philadelphia Public School to win a PIAA state high school football championship.

 

Keys to the game

Imhotep needs to play their style of football. They need to go out and have fun but take care of business. They will use that huge line and try and wear down Cathedral Prep defense.

 

 

Here’s a breakdown of Imhotep’s projected starters (In bold) in the Class 3A PIAA State Championship game.

 

Quarterback

Jr. Nasir Boykin 6-1, 184

This is Nasir’s first year as a starter. Nasir is their field general and a player that can beat you with his legs or by throwing the ball. One of his strengths is side stepping the defense. He can make all the throws and especially the deep ball. He makes good decisions and takes care of the football.

 

Running backs

Sr. Mike Waters 5-10, 192

Mike is versatile. He has really good hands and great vision. He is a player they can move around as a runner or receiver. Tyler Raynor was the starter before breaking his ankle against Academy Park. Imhotep hasn’t missed a beat at the running back position and Mike has done a great job filling in as the starter. Other guys rotating in are Isheem Young, Chris Wells and Kristian Marche.

 

Offensive Line

RT Sr. Yasir Durant 6-6, 335; RG Sr. Jahmir Johnson 6-5, 272; C Jr. Brashon McCrae 6-1, 265; LG Sr. Johncarlo Valentin 6-4, 336, LT So. Justin Johnson 6-7, 340

Imhotep’s line is big, physical and athletic. The O-line takes a lot of pride running the ball and they do it as well as anyone. They block well and create a wall that is hard to penetrate which wears defenses down. That is their strength going into the game Friday night. Players rotating into the game are So. Arick Lochetto who will play both guard spots and Zahir Schenck who will play some center or tackle positions.

 

Wide receivers

Sr. Nasir Lewis 6-2,186; Jr. Aamir Brown 5-9, 176; So. Justin Harris 5-9, 170

Lewis is the deep ball threat on the team. He has strong hands and is a tremendous blocker. Brown and Harris are very shifty and can catch the ball in space. All three receivers are explosive and can make plays anywhere on the field.

 

Tight end

Sr. Nasir Upshur 6-4, 236

Nasir can block, catch and run. You may see him lineup in the backfield at times as a fullback and at times he may run the ball. He is a tremendous blocker and a extension of the offensive line.

 

Defensive Line

DE Sr. Shaka Toney 6-4, 205; DE Sr. Andre Mintz 6-4, 223; DL Sr. Jordan McCray 6-3, 219; DL Jr. Jalen Denby 6-0, 322

They are very good at getting to the quarterback. Toney, Mintz and McCray are explosive guys who can get after the runners. Yasir Durant, Nasir Upshur and Johncarlo Valentin all rotate on the line adding size and strength to a already good line.

 

Linebackers

Jr. MLB Amin Black 6-0, 218; Jr. Naiheem Santos 5-11, 212; Sr. Mike Waters 5-10, 192

Amin Black is the leader at middle linebacker. Amin does a lot of film study and makes sure everyone is in the right position. He has a knack at getting to the football.

 

Secondary

CB Sr. Prince Smith 6-0, 183; CB Jr. Mike Crawford 6-0, 175; S Sr. Shyhemm Shaw 5-10, 190; S. So. Isheem Young

Smith is the guy that covers the best receiver each week. Crawford does the same and is great at the run game. He is a good tackler and is great at blitzing. Amir Brown will play some defensive back as well as Ade Jones-Roundtree.

 

Special Teams

Aamir Brown is the punter. Brown and Justin Harris are the kick returners and punt returner is Isheem Young.

 

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10 Responses to “PIAA Class 3A: Imhotep Charter (12) 14-0 preview”

1. ray says:
   December 20th, 2015 at 8:59 am

   @ Brian C

   1st play of the game “unsportsmanlike”.

2. Colin says:
   December 19th, 2015 at 9:20 am

   Jaleel

   All students who attend Imhotep or any other Philly public school must reside in the Philly school district. So all of their players reside in phila. The caveat is any student can attend any HS they wish in the city for the most part. So they are an open enrollement school but only inside the city limits as opposed to a Catholic school who can take players from anywhere. Even with the Philly SD open enrollment policy Imhotep is only Philly pub school to have any success at all on the state football level. One plus for Imhotep is then sit right in the middle of a very fertile youth football area.

3. FGoggans says:
   December 18th, 2015 at 11:37 pm

   @MOJO
   I guess Imhotep was “unsportsmanlike” tonight by winning its 1st ever PIAA 3A championship. 40-3 score is more like domination!

4. Jaleel says:
   December 18th, 2015 at 10:07 pm

   How is Imhotep a public school? There is zero chance that all of these kids live in the district!

5. Brian C says:
   December 18th, 2015 at 3:24 pm

   MOJO82,

   What do you mean by “it’s in their blood to be unsportsmanlike? Also, I agree that Imhotep is going to roll tonight….they are by far the best team in the state and probably top 10 in the Nation.

   If a team (any Public League Team) can’t stop their 3rd string offense I don’t see how that Imhotep’s issue. They are not keeping their starters in for 4 quarters or even 3 quarters most games.

6. MOJO82 says:
   December 18th, 2015 at 11:15 am

   @ BRIAN C

   REALLY??

   WOOD IS A POWER HOUSE IN THE AREA AND IHOP COULD HAVE EASILY LOST TO THEM

   THEY WONT BE UNSPORTSMANLIKE??? TELL THAT TO
   DOBBINS, WEST PHIL AND SAUCON. I WILL FEEL BAD FOR THE BOYS FROM CP TONIGHT. IT NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY.

7. Eric says:
   December 18th, 2015 at 10:59 am

   I’d expect a game like Tep vs. Archbishop Wood maybe not as close. Our game (Academy Park) vs. Imhotep, I was quite pleased with how Imhotep handled themselves. They are a pretty disciplined team and coached very well. Many of their players are D1 talent and its nice to see how players of that caliber (even in HS) conduct themselves before/during/after games.

   From watching them on film and coaching against them, their 2nd/3rd string players are also very good. At some point, the team they play has to stop them.

8. Brian C says:
   December 17th, 2015 at 11:20 am

   Mojo82, Imhotep will win, but they won’t be unsportsmanlike….I saw them play Wood in a tight game (their only close game) and they were gentlemen. Their Coaching Staff is full of good people.

9. Debbie Toney says:
   December 17th, 2015 at 8:35 am

   Imhotep will play disciplined and we’ll executed balll. Brilliant coaching and smart, disciplined, team strength wins this title. Umoja/unity and Kujuchagulia/self determination are its mantra. It’s fan base is strong and proud of these scholar warriors. Shine Panthers Shine!

10. MOJO82 says:
    December 16th, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    IHOP 87
    Cathedral Prep 21

    LIKE I SAID, ITS IN THERE BLOOD.

    IHOP WILL BE UNSPORTSMANLIKE.