Team-By-Team Stock-Risers: PPL 2021 Spring Season Pt.1

The Spring season has concluded for the Philadelphia Public League, as well as for Neumann-Goretti and West catholic, two PCL teams. The shortened and delayed season wasn’t without struggle as many games were canceled, closed to the public and media, as well as some players/coaches coming away with the virus. We hope all who may have been affected by COVID throughout this season come out okay and stronger than before. Many coaches and prospects put aside their worries as did what they could to continue playing the sport we love. Now it’s my job to highlight those who stood out and rose their stocks this Spring! We will go team by team and take a quick look at some prospects whose play may put them on our rankings! <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>South Philadelphia </strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Michael Fayemi | 6’1 175lbs | CB/WR | 2021</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Roxborough</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Sameer Holmes</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Belmont </strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140987" first="Zekieyh" last="Evans"] | 5’10 160lbs | DB | 2023</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Kensington</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Maurice Walker | 6’4 240lbs | ATH | 2021</li> <li>Jason Clark | 5’10 175lbs | QB/DB | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140933" first="Saleem" last="Faison"] | 5’10 210lbs | DE | 2023</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140934" first="Jason" last="Slevenski"] | 6’2 185lbs | FB/MLB | 2023</li> </ul> This team ended the season on a high note, stringing together multiple wins to end the season with a winning record. Jason Clark was stellar the last two weeks, completing 17/30 passes for 241 yards and 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. The dual-threat was just that, as he added 189 yards on the ground and 2 scores. <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Overbrook</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Nasir Smith | 6’4 350lbs | OL/DL | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140561" first="Dechaune" last="Jackson"] | 6’1 170lbs | DB | 2021</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="140561" first="Dechaune" last="Jackson"] had to be one of the most consistent DBs I covered all year. Week in and week out, you could bet to see Jackson pop up in the stat sheet, whether that be intercepting passes or catching touchdown passes. The senior defensive back held it down for Overbrook and deserves recognition. <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Vaux B-P</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Shyear Fletcher</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Edison/Fels</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Matthew Salas</li> <li>Tymir Williams | 5’9 | ATH |</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Imhotep</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Tim LaSmith Jr. | 6’3 202lbs | QB | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27622" first="Will" last="Robinson"] | 5’9 190lbs | RB | 2022</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27571" first="Maurice" last="Beverly"] | 6’1 217lbs | LB | 2022</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27563" first="Keon" last="Wylie"] | 6’3 220lbs | DE | 2022</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="105589" first="D’Shaun" last="Seals"] | 5’7 155lbs | WR | 2022</li> <li>Kenny Woseley Jr. | 5’11 165lbs | DB | 2024</li> <li>Jahsear Whittington | 6’2 230lbs | MLB | 2024</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27227" first="Shafeek" last="Smith"] | DB | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27569" first="Emir" last="Stinette"] | 6’5 330lbs | OL | 2022</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27619" first="Jamir" last="Reyes"] | 6’1 180lbs | DB | 2022</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27617" first="Giovonni" last="Graham"] | 6’2 330lbs | DT | 2022</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27213" first="Saint" last="McLeod"] | 6’0 205lbs | ATH | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="27553" first="Enai" last="White"] | 6’6 230lbs | DE | 2022</li> </ul> It’s safe to say that Imhotep is the premier club in the PPL, with Northeast close behind. You could even argue that Imhotep is the most talented club in all of Pennsylvania. The list of stock-risers is long, as it should be. [player_tooltip player_id="27563" first="Keon" last="Wylie"] was absurd in four games. Wylie’s stock was already through the roof and could see an even further jump up the rankings. Imhotep’s undefeated four game span showed off two new names that we can expect to be ranked. Kenny Woseley Jr. and Jahsear Whittington. Two potentially elite 2024 prospects who were excellent on defense. Expect to hear these prospects names going forward. <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>West Philadelphia</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Zaire Brown | RB/SS</li> <li>Mujaheed Muhammad | 5’8 170lbs | CB/RB | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="127226" first="Carlos" last="Rivera"] | 6’0 180lbs | QB | 2022</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="91831" first="Nasir" last="Gooden"] | 5’5 150lbs | RB/DB</li> </ul> We spoke highly of Brown and Muhammad throughout the year but now it’s time to highlight their quarterback’s play, as it was nothing short of impressive. Rivera accounted for 200+ rushing yards in the final week of the Spring season, as well as 3 total touchdowns. Excited to see what the junior has in store for next season. <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Bartram</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Jaquan Givens | 5’11 175lbs | QB/FS | 2021</li> <li>Markel Morgan | 5’11 170lbs | DB/OLB | 2021</li> <li>Kevin Brookins Jr. | 5’11 187lbs | SS/LB | 2021</li> <li>Kasan Johnson-Townsend | DB | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140855" first="Titus" last="David"] | 5’9 165lbs | ATH | 2022</li> <li>Aamir Pender</li> </ul> Bartram’s season may have ended on a sour note, with COVID derailing what was an impressive streak of wins. Bartram’s seniors were exceptional all year, led by QB Jaquan Givens who may have been the best quarterback in all of the PPL this Spring. Many of the Braves have since committed to D2-D3 level programs which we are happy to announce! We will keep our eye on [player_tooltip player_id="140855" first="Titus" last="David"] who is a junior. <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Olney </strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Khaleef Jones | 5’8 185lbs | ATH | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140935" first="Reggie" last="McNeil"] | DB | 2023</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140856" first="Jabari" last="Morgan"] | 5’9 158lbs | ATH | 2022</li> <li>Cyncere Hennix | 5’11 170lbs | WR/DB | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140936" first="Dylan" last="Heath"] | 5’10 160lbs | DB/RB | 2023</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140857" first="Steven" last="Oaddams"] | 6’6 250lbs | DE | 2022</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140858" first="Zahfir" last="McCullough"] | 6’3 220lbs | LB/DE | 2022</li> </ul> I see similarities between MLK and Olney. That being two teams loaded with talent that can’t yet put it all together to win games against top competition. Nonetheless, Olney put up fight after fight and multiple names have come out of their efforts. Jones and playmaker Cyncere Hennix are the only seniors of this group. So Olney will look towards the future on the backs of talented underclassmen. <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Lincoln</strong></em></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140943" first="Khani" last="Knight"] | 150lbs | QB | 2023</li> <li>Ed Dualu | 5’6 160lbs | RB |</li> <li>Khavon Walker | 5’10 165lbs | ATH | 2021</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="140859" first="Dan" last="Gardee"] | 6’0 190lbs | ATH | 2023</li> <li>Saahir Strong-Teagle | 5’10 190lbs | ATH | 2024</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="140943" first="Khani" last="Knight"] is one of the more underrated quarterback prospects in the PPL. Would love for more film to drop on this kid because the numbers show a special player, and he’s just a sophomore. Lincoln surprised me, as the Railsplitters were competitive each week. The offense was a fun one to watch. Lincoln may hold some of the best young talent with Knight, Gardee, and Strong-Teagle all being underclassmen.