Public League
comes out on top

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

It was the last time these athletes would play high school football.
And after 60 minutes, they still weren’t ready to call it a career.
The 33rd annual Daily News-Eagles City All-Star Game, held on Saturday at Northeast High School, needed overtime after the Public and Non-Public teams played to a tie during regulation.
And after a tough game, the Public League came out on top when Frankford running back Calvin Spires scored the game-winning touchdown.
Final score: Public League, 30, Non-Public, 24.
The big touchdown capped off a great season for Spires, who guided the Pioneers to the Public League championship.
During the season, the 6-foot running back had 146 carries for 1,003 yards and 12 touchdowns to help Frankford achieve a 9-3 overall record.
Spires added a pair of touchdowns during Saturday’s game. He wasn’t the only local highlighter.
North Catholic wide receiver Daryl Robinson also found the end zone twice, with fellow Falcon Ryan McCullough putting up six points in the first quarter with a seven-yard catch.
"It felt great," McCullough said after catching his fifth touchdown this year. "Playing against guys who made the all-star team was a big challenge. This was my first time in the all-star game, so it was really exciting. It was a great experience."
The Cherry Hill, N.J., resident transferred to North Catholic his sophomore year and spent his three years with the Falcons as a varsity player.
Although McCullough wasn’t able to walk away with a win, he did experience victory when named as an All-Catholic this year. As a senior, he had 22 catches for 380 yards, along with four interceptions on defense, and guided the Falcons to their first playoff victory in 50 years.
"I’m really happy that I transferred to North," he said. "This has been an incredible year. I met a lot of people there and had a great time, both in school and playing football. And I’m really excited to be able to play in the all-star game."
McCullough caught four passes for a total of 43 yards on Saturday. Other local notables include North Catholic’s Daryl Robinson, who caught three passes for 75 yards and rushed for 13 yards and was named the game’s most valuable offensive player for the Non-Public team.
Archbishop Ryan defensive lineman Taylor Cave had seven tackles and a sack. Father Judge’s Joe Thompson and Washington High School’s Aaron Hampton had five tackles each. Thompson also had an interception and was named the game’s most valuable defensive player for the Non-Public team. Fellow Eagles Terrence Frazier and Aaron Murrey, alongside Frankford’s Brandon Allen, had sacks as well.
"There were a lot of great players on the field," said McCullough. "It was an intense game, and I really enjoyed being out there."
Although McCullough is not an official Falcon alumnus yet, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound receiver is ready to perform on a college gridiron. He’ll enter Albright College in the fall, where he plans to study business and play a lot of football.
"I’m really excited, but also nervous," he said. "I’ve been playing football since I was six years old. So this is something that I’ve always wanted to do. I go to the gym four times a week for a normal workout, and I’m always running. I’m always working toward becoming a better player.
"In the offseason, I’m just getting ready to play football again," he continued. "You have to keep that drive to win. You have to want to win and keep yourself at that level." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com