Falcons Beat Frankford 28-22

After this game, as I stood on the field, I found myself getting very choked up. Tears began running down my face as I took photos of the game celebration. These tears were not just tears of joy due to the most exciting game I’ve ever seen. They were also due to the fact that this could be the last Thanksgiving Day game for awhile (or ever). Since 1974, when I attended my first North/Frankford game, Thanksgiving morning was a tradition for me. No matter where I was eating turkey, the people there knew that I would be at the game. Whether it was at the old Temple stadium, Frankford’s stadium, the Vet (1978) or LaSalle’s McCarthy stadium (this year). It was just something that I had to do. It was a place that I had to be. As I stood there, taking photos, it hit me that this could be my last. If not the last, than the last for a couple of years.

The North/Frankford game is more than just a football game. It’s a place to see old friends, teammates and classmates. It’s a place to reminisce about the old days; to get caught up with old friends about where we are in life.

When I began attending North/Frankford games, I used to root for the Pioneers. You see, I’m the youngest of five children, and my three older brothers, as well as my sister, are all Frankford grads. But, mom wanted one of her children to attend catholic school for 12 years, so I was the one. Up until my freshman year at North, I dreamed of playing football for Al Angelo at Frankford. I just assumed that I would follow the path of my 3 brothers and attend North for one year and then transfer to Frankford. It wasn’t in my cards, as my mom broke the news to me that I would be staying at North. I was very upset, but mom kept assuring me that it was the best thing for me. Three years later, on the steps of the Convention Center, after my graduation ceremony, I stopped my parents and said, “Mom, dad, I just wanted to let you know that I’m grateful that you made me stay at North. This was the best thing for me, and I know I’ll appreciate it even more in the future.” Twenty-eight years later, I can honestly say that being a North grad is one of the best things that has happened to me. And, I’m still grateful to my parents for allowing me the opportunity to be a Falcon.

I am thankful for….
….being given the opportunity to be part of the greatest rivalry in Philadelphia High School football history.
….the friends that I made while attending North, playing for North, coaching at North and helping out behind the scenes.
….my parents, who insisted that I stay at North Catholic. North Catholic helped make me that man that I am today.
…. North’s Athletic Director, Paul Dixon. Paul had a tough job this year, and being the new guy, I was required to bust his stones. Paul has a great sense of humor and he does understand the North mentality.
…Mike McBride and Mike Ritchie, both of whom I mentioned in this blog several times over the last year. They are both huge supporters of North Catholic, and both are great sports and I’m a better man for knowing each of these fine men.
….Men like Ed White ’55, and Mike Fagan ’57. It is men like this who I see at nearly every North game that I attend and men who I hope to be like some day. They are in the category of “Super Fan”, not so much for attending so many games, but because of their long time support of their alma mater. Both men are a true inspiration to me.
….Tim Murphy ‘71, our 2010 baseball coach. Tim and I have become great friends over the past few years, and I have seen nothing in him but a huge heart and commitment to North Catholic. The best thing I can say about Murph is that he is a true friend.
….Coach Szydlik, and his coaching staff, who always made me feel at home when I was around the team. I was granted unprecedented access to the team and was honored to share my experiences with all of you through this blog and the team site.
….The 2009 Northeast Catholic football Falcons, who came together, despite a tough year for all Falcons, and made it to the championship game, and prevailed on Thanksgiving Day. This team accomplished the two things that I ask of North teams. First, they were, and will always be, winners. Second, they represented the true spirit of Northeast Catholic, on and off the field. I don’t know what will happen to these young men in the future, but you can count on the fact that they will be better off due to the fact that they got a taste of being a Northeast Catholic Falcon.
….finally, I am grateful to you, and the rest of the visitors to this blog, as well as the football team site (www.NorthCatholicFootball.com). You allowed me into your world during the past 5 seasons. Hopefully, I helped you follow the team more closely over these years.

Did You Notice…..
….if it wasn’t for overflow North fans sitting on the Frankford bleachers, their stands would have looked a bit empty. (Personal Note: Frankford grads always talk about how much they love and support their team. How about showing up for a couple of games every now and then).
….Many people watched the game from the ballroom, overlooking the north endzone. Apparently, there was a brunch set up there and about 100 North fans took part advantage of it.
….That the game was available as a webcast, including video and audio? Thanks to Anthony and John Biondo (both NC grads), and Biondo Communications, the webcast was pulled off without a hitch. I caught the replay after I got home and I have to say that they did a great job.
….there is no press box at McCarthy stadium, so some coaches, our film guy and the webcast folks, all had to do there thing from the building in the endzone. Regular announcer, Mike Kaiser, did his thing from the bleachers.
….once again, Taylor Rand sang the National Anthem before the game. Nobody sings that song better than Taylor. We certainly going to miss hearing her sing before North football games.
…..The flannel crew was in attendance, but unlike previous years, they didn’t all sit in the same section. Some sat on the Frankford side, some on the North side. But, at halftime, they were all on the field doing there pyramid thing. And, once again, after a valiant effort, the pyramid got “this close” before collapsing to the ground.
….that the track at McCarthy stadium is named for Frank Wetzler, who happens to be a former NC football player, and track star? If I haven’t mentioned it before, I’ll say it now…..North guys are everywhere.
….the coin toss was done by NC’s Kevin McCloskey and Fkd’s Skip Angelo. Kevin, a North grad and Iraq war vet, flipped the coin to Skip, son of legendary coach, Al Angelo. It was nice, despite the fact that the Pioneers won the toss.
….Joe Kilroy came out of retirement to take photos for the game. Joe, who has been taking photos for about 20 years or more for North football, had some health issues last year. But, seeing the potential significance of this game, decided to come out and take some shots for us. We hope to post a few of them by mid-week.
….That both team buses were escorted to the game by the fine men of the Philadelphia Police. Let’s just say that a North grad, who has some clout in the department, arranged for the escort.

I could go on and on about what happened at and around the game, but I’d be writing for days, and you’d probably get bored after a day or so. We’re also not going to do a faces in the crowd section this week, as nearly everyone we all know from North was in attendance. Instead, we’re posting a group of pictures from around the game for your pleasure. We’re also posting some games photos. We hope to have more of those later to share with everyone.

Closing Thoughts
The lights at North Catholic may or may not go off at the end of this year, but that won’t stop me from being a Falcon for the rest of my life. I have made friends and fostered relationships that I do and will cherish as long as I live. If and when the Northeast Catholic Falcons play another football game, you can’t expect me to be on the sidelines or in the stands cheering the team to victory. I hope to see you there.