Stokes up for
sophomore season

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

It has been a rough start for Malik Stokes.
But the Northeast High School quarterback still has hopes for a triumphant finish.
The 15-year-old sophomore ran for 33 yards and threw a touchdown pass to tight end Tyrik Clary during his team’s Sept. 7 game against Father Judge, but it wasn’t enough for the Vikings.
Final score: Father Judge, 38; Northeast, 7.
"I feel awful," Stokes said after Friday night’s game. "I expect a lot out of myself. I expect myself to make a big play when my team needs it, and I didn’t."
Despite his disappointment in his performance, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound quarterback likes to remind himself that he’ll bounce back.
"Tonight I got down for a minute," said Stokes. "I can’t let that happen, though. I have to fix my mind and get my team back in it, even though we lost by a big margin. I do try to keep the team up as much as I can.
"Judge is a good football team," he added. "But we could have beat them."
Northeast has earned a spot in the Public League finals two of the past three years, though the Vikings have been unable to tackle a championship.
Last season, despite having new faces at virtually every position, the Vikings were a play away from knocking off George Washington in the semifinals. That tough play produced high hopes for this year.
Yet Northeast is still looking for that first win.
On Sept. 1, the Vikings lost their opening game against Norristown, 20-14, followed by the tough defeat that Father Judge inflicted six days later.
"It’s very tough to stay motivated in games like this," Stokes said after the Crusaders’ romp. "Maybe there were some plays that I couldn’t do anything about. But there were a lot of plays where I expected myself to do something because my team needed me.
"But you have to be able to shake it off and get back out there," he added. "You do what you have to do for the team. It’s not just about me, it’s about how the team is doing."
Having the leadership responsibilities that come with the quarterback job can be intimidating for a sophomore varsity player, but Stokes takes it in stride.
"I don’t look at it as being tough, because most of the guys on the team respect my game. They respect me as a person," said Stokes. "I love what I do. I take pride in what I do. It’s a pretty hectic position on the field, but I try to be the best person I can be on and off the field."
During his debut season with the Vikings, Stokes rushed for 73 yards and had three touchdown passes. This year, he wants to improve those numbers.
"I want to work on every aspect of my game," said Stokes. "I’m improving every aspect of my game. And I’m doing my best. I want to help my team. I encourage them. We want to get a win. That’s the most important thing."
Stokes has some additional encouragement on the field. His older brother Je’Ron Stokes is a wide receiver and defensive back for the Vikings.
"I love my brother a lot," said Stokes. "He is a great athlete. He always puts the team first, and he’s just a great guy — all around. I love playing with him."
"It’s good playing together," added Je’Ron. "We have a lot of chemistry together, so it’s a good experience."
This is the first time the Frankford siblings have been on the same roster, but they’ve practiced together their entire lives.
"I think it definitely helps that we grew up together and now we play together," said Malik Stokes. "It takes a whole team to win, but I think it helps."
Northeast’s next battle will be against Abington on Sept. 14. For the Vikings, it’s business as usual.
"We’re practicing and working hard," said Stokes. "We have a lot of good players and people who are willing to put their heart on the line for a win. Things haven’t worked out yet, but it’s going to happen." ªª
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com