It seems like just yesterday the fall season started. But winter season is now in full swing and it’s time to take a look back and honor those who made the first few months of the school year memorable.
Championships were plentiful for our guys as Northeast High School won the Public League football and boys soccer championship, Franklin Towne Charter won the Public League girls soccer championship and Archbishop Ryan won the Catholic League girls soccer championship.
But it wasn’t just titles that made the fall great. We had great players and coaches doing great things.
That’s what makes this part of the year so tough because there are many great candidates for all of our awards. But we narrowed it down to the best. These athletes will be honored at the annual Northeast Times Sports Award Banquet. This year the banquet will be at the FOP on May 20. Winter and spring award winners, along with overall winners and other particulars will come later in the year.
Here are our winners for the fall season.
Catholic League Football Player of the Year
Shane McGovern, Father Judge
It really didn’t matter what the Crusaders needed, McGovern was there to help out. The senior started the season as a top wideout and defensive back, and he excelled at both of those positions.
On the year, he caught 26 passes for 408 yards while hauling in two interceptions.
But he really stepped up for the Crusaders when quarterback Aidan Dooley suffered a season-ending injury and backup Mike Van Horn got banged up. McGovern took over and led the Judge offense.
The senior scored the only touchdown for the Crusaders on Thanksgiving, helping Judge pick up a one-point win over Lincoln.
McGovern was Second-Team All-Catholic on both offense and defense. He hopes to play college football next year.
Public League Football Player of the Year
Tyreek Chappell, Northeast
The two-way star made a huge impact in his first year at Northeast. The junior led the Vikings in receiving with 20 balls for 553 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for more than 100 yards and another touchdown.
But Chappell’s best work was done on defense, where he was a shutdown cornerback who lined up many times against the other team’s top player.
Chappell scored an 80-yard touchdown in Northeast’s loss to St. Joe’s Prep in the District 12 championship game. The Vikings got to that game by winning the Public League 6A championship.
Chappell still has another year left at Northeast, but already many Division I programs are interested.
Football Coach of the Year
Phil Gormley, Northeast
The Vikings won the 6A Public League championship game this year and went on to play St. Joe’s Prep in the District 12 championship game. That’s where the Vikings showed that they are among the elite in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Northeast jumped out to a 14-point lead, and gave the Hawks all they could handle in a 43-26 loss.
Gormley put in more miles off the field than on it, helping his players get into colleges all over the country.
If the Vikings win their fifth Public League 6A championship in a row next year, they’ll have to do it without Gormley, who stepped down at the end of the season.
Catholic League Boys Soccer Player of the Year
Brendan McCarthy, Father Judge
All season, McCarthy wasn’t just the best player at his school, but one of the best players in the area.
The senior defender helped Judge take second place in the Catholic League with a 9-3-0 record. He was a key cog in the defense that held nine of the Crusaders opponents to one goal or less.
McCarthy garnered the most votes from opposing coaches in All-Catholic balloting. He also made All-State, All-Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association and made All-Region.
Next year McCarthy will continue his soccer career at Holy Family.
Public League Boys Soccer Player of the Year
Andre Silva-Santos, Northeast
The Vikings had a very talented team this year, but they needed someone to lead the defense. That’s where this senior defensive midfielder came in.
With his play, that was a perfect blend of talent and hard work. Silva-Santos was the perfect captain to pave the way. And it worked.
Northeast recorded nine shutouts, including one in the Public League, as the Vikings reclaimed the championship by turning the tables on Franklin Towne Charter, a team that bested them in last year’s championship.
Silva-Santos plans on playing soccer next year, but he’s still looking at schools.
Boys Soccer Coach of the Year
John Psoras, Northeast
The Vikings have been very successful in recent years, but this year they had two problems coming into the season.
The team lost in the Public League championship game a season ago, and their coach, Kraig Feldman, resigned, so a new coach needed to come in and coach the team. They got their guy from the girls team, and Psoras was the perfect choice.
The young Vikings didn’t get off to a great start, losing to Franklin Towne during the regular season, but rebounded to win 12 games, including a 4-0 triumph over the Warriors in the championship game.
Catholic Schools Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Gianna Monaco, Archbishop Ryan
For the second year in a row, Gianna Monaco was the best player in the Catholic League. But this year, she played a different role.
Last year she netted a league-high 24 goals, which was great. But it didn’t lead to a Catholic League championship.
This year, she became more of a playmaker. Her goals dropped, but that was fine. The only thing she cared about happened when Ryan won the Catholic League championship.
Monaco will continue her soccer career next year at Holy Family.
Public League Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Jenna Slavin, Franklin Towne Charter
The Warriors were used to winning Public League championships, but fell short the past three years. They got back to their winning ways this year and a high-scoring sophomore was a huge reason for it.
Slavin, a reserve a season ago, became a starter this year and ended up scoring 22 goals and becoming the Most Valuable Player for the league. And league play couldn’t have ended more perfectly.
The Warriors went unbeaten in Public League play, and the only game they didn’t win, a tie to Central, was avenged in the league championship game as the Warriors reclaimed the league title.
Franklin Towne bested Central 3-0 to win the championship and Slavin scored the final goal of the game midway through the second half to put it on ice.
Slavin will return to Franklin Towne next year.
Girls Soccer Coach of the Year
Jon Geist, Archbishop Ryan
The Ragdolls always have one of the best teams in the Catholic League. This year they had the absolute best team in the PCL, winning the Catholic League championship.
They then went on to prove they have one of the best teams in the state.
Ryan won two state playoff games to make it to the semifinals of the Class 3A state playoffs before falling to Villa Joseph Marie.
The Ragdolls, who fell in the championship game last year, went undefeated in Catholic League play, including a victory over Archbishop Wood in the championship game.
In 10 league games, Ryan outscored foes 39-7, and won the 3A District 12 championship by knocking off Rush.
And while Ryan had its share of veterans, Geist returns a strong team that eyes another title next year. ••
