Non-Public squad does damage
at City All-Star Game

By Joe Mason
For the Times

There was a time when Chris Spence figured he was too small to play high school football.
Spence, a senior at Frankford High School, decided to play for the Frankford Chargers during his freshman year of high school. His thought was that at 145 pounds, he wouldn’t be able to compete against the behemoths.
He was wrong.
Now at 175 pounds, Spence starred for Frankford High’s Pioneers during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
He was a ferocious linebacker, making Frankford one of the top defensive teams in Public League play and helping the school hang championship banners during his sophomore and junior seasons.
"It was great," Spence said. "A lot of people said we were small. We were small. We were real small at linebacker and defensive back. But we all hit really hard. That’s what made us good.
"I’m really happy I came out because I loved everything about Frankford," he continued. "Nothing stands out; I really loved everything about it."
While Spence may have struggled to pick a special moment, he vividly recalls his least favorite moment.
Toward the end of last year’s Public League regular season, it was determined that Frankford had used a player who was overage. The Pioneers were forced to forfeit three wins within the Public League Red Division, thus knocking them out of the playoffs.
Frankford finished the season by playing non-league games, but Spence won’t call them meaningless.
It was football, baby.
"I wanted to win another championship, but I love football, so I wasn’t going to not play or get down or anything like that," Spence said. "I was upset for a second, but I know how much coach (Mike Capriotti) has done for me, so I wanted to play for him. And I wanted to play for me and my teammates."
When the season came to a close, Frankford’s official record was 4-6. But it was a particularly meaningful season for Spence.
Each year, the Pioneers select their captain at the end of the season after a vote among the team. This year there was a runaway choice: Spence.
"He was the leader," Capriotti said. "When we went through a tough time, he held the team together. He was our guy, our leader."
"It meant a lot because the guys voted for it and coach always told me that I had to lead us," Spence said. "I always wanted to be a captain since I was a sophomore, but you have to be a senior. I was waiting and waiting, and when I finally got it, it was great. I always tried to lead the way, and I’m glad everyone saw it like that."
Spence’s final time to lead a football team during his high school career was a fun one, though the scoreboard didn’t reflect that. Playing for the Public League team, Spence’s squad fell, 48-7, to the Non-Public team in the 34th annual Daily News-Eagles City All-Star Game at Northeast High School on Saturday night.
Archbishop Ryan wideout Nick Ferdinand grabbed a touchdown pass for the Non-Public squad, while North Catholic defensive end Shahid Paulhill won the Most Valuable Defensive Player award.
But Spence didn’t have time to worry about the outcome. He was playing football, so he was content.
"I would have liked to win, but it was a good time," Spence said. "I knew a lot of the guys from Washington and Northeast, but I met a lot of the other guys. Plus there were some (Frankford) guys I had a chance to play another game with. I had fun."
Next year, Spence will continue his football career while rooming with another Pioneer. He and Josh Burnett plan to attend Allan Hancock College, a community college in Santa Barbara, Calif.
"I’m looking forward to getting out there," said Spence, who lives within walking distance of Frankford High School. "It’s nice to have someone to go out there with, but I think we’ll have a lot of fun. It will give us a chance to play while getting ready for the next step." ••
Joe Mason can be reached at joemason70@hotmail.com