Senior Ed Fahey was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player for the Non-Public team in the annual City All Star Game at Northeast
Ed Fahey is no stranger to hard work.
Fahey, a senior at Father Judge High School, spends his summer getting a great workout. And while he does do the things every football player does to get in shape, he also spends a lot of time getting an unconventional workout.
“As soon as the school year ends, I start roofing with my dad,” said Fahey, whose father owns Fahey Roofing, Siding, Doors and Windows. “I love it, but it’s hard work. It definitely keeps you in shape. You’re up there on the roof in the hot sun carrying 200 pounds of rubber. It’s a lot of work, but it’s good. It keeps you humble and makes you work hard.”
On Saturday night, Fahey was ready to raise the roof after he was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player for the Non-Public team in the annual City All Star Game at Northeast.
The Public League team rolled 38–20, but Fahey notched seven tackles, including one for a loss, en route to picking up MVP honors.
On the Public League side, the defensive MVP went to Northeast defensive back Carlos Davila, who provided stellar coverage against the Non-Public All Stars.
Other local standouts included Dymear Brooks (Frankford) and Aziz Kaba (Northeast), who recovered fumbles, and Frankford’s Juwan Tabb and Dymear Brooks, who each hauled in interceptions. Ryan’s Jason Jefferson rushed for a touchdown.
The game was about the standout players, not really the final score. Fahey had hoped for a victory, but he was just as excited to put on a Father Judge helmet for one final time. It also gave him a chance to play with Crusader teammates Timmy Weldon, Ryan Jakeman and Dan Adams one final time.
“It was sad because I’ll never play another football game for Judge, but hopefully it’s on to bigger and better things,” said Fahey, who lives a few blocks away from the school. “It was fun to get to play with them all again. And I liked playing with all the guys we played against all year. Those guys are really good, and we all became friends right off the bat. I don’t hold a grudge and neither do they. We all got along right away.”
Fahey also had a chance to show off his skills at a new position during the showcase affair.
During the season, Fahey lined up at outside linebacker while Mark Maguire handled things in the middle. But during the All Star game, the Non-Public squad needed muscle in the middle so Fahey was happy to step in.
“I loved it,” Fahey said. “I liked outside, too, and that’s what we needed at Judge. Mark decided not to play in the game, so we needed someone. I love the contact, you hit on every play. You’re in on everything. I liked doing that a lot.”
He also liked showing everyone that he’s a talented football player. Fahey had a great year, but the Catholic League Red Division is absolutely loaded with talent. That happens when you line up each week against teams including St. Joe’s Prep, La Salle, Archbishop Wood and even neighborhood rival Archbishop Ryan.
According to Fahey, those tough games were hard, but they made him a better player.
“You only get better when you play great teams and that’s what we did every week,” Fahey said. “Those teams were really, really good. I learned so much by playing against them. And it was fun to come out and be on their team.
Fahey doesn’t have a lot of time to enjoy the award.
He graduates from Judge in three weeks. He’s unsure about his future, although he is considering playing football in college. Coaches who saw him in action Saturday have expressed interest.
“I’m not really sure what I’m going to do,” Fahey said. “I’m thinking about playing football. I think I would like to go to school and study business and then take over my dad’s business. It’s a hard job, but it’s a good one.
“I know how hard he works, and he does it for us. We have three kids, and they’re all in Catholic school. He works hard for us. I would love to follow him and work the business. It’s hard work, but I’d want to do that and the business side.”
While he’s unsure where he’ll end up, he’s 100 percent sure he’ll miss his time at Judge.
“I loved everything about the school,” Fahey said. “I’ll miss my friends the most, just being around them all. But it’s a great school with a great staff and great people. I’ll really miss it.”
But he won’t have much time to dwell on it.
“I graduate June 7 and I’ll be roofing the next day,” Fahey said. “I’ll be up there right away.”
