"This says a lot about how far we've come as a team," Siki said. "We worked real hard in the offseason. Over the summer, we were in the weight room four days a week. We were committed to getting better."
Last year, because he was not tabbed until May to replace 18-year boss Gil Brooks, Gabe Infante, a North Jersey native, was behind the eight ball when it came to preparing his players for the 2010 campaign. It didn't help any that several headliners opted to transfer elsewhere.
"It was rough not having a head coach for those months," the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Siki said. "You're kind of in a state of limbo. We were behind most teams when it came to training."
The Hawks went a disappointing 4-7 last season, with a 2-2 mark in Catholic League Class AAAA action. They were ousted by Roman Catholic in the league semifinals.
On Saturday, with Skyler Mornhinweg directing the no-huddle scheme, the Prep (3-0) totaled 426 yards on offense against North Penn (1-2).
"We thought this system could be very advantageous for us because of our conditioning, our training, and our quarterback," Infante said.
Mornhinweg, ticketed for Penn State, carried 13 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-3, 215-pounder hit on 14 of 30 passes for 217 yards and four TDs. He also added a fumble-return TD on defense.
In addition to Siki and Mornhinweg, a free safety, the leaders of a 4-3/multiple defense include tackles Paul Johnson and Pete DellaPorta, end Tim Rafter, middle linebacker Eric Medes, weakside linebacker Dan Mancini, and end-outside linebacker Todd Jones.
In the fourth quarter, with the Hawks ahead by 45-33, Medes, who shares time at fullback with Siki, intercepted a pass over the middle.
Siki, 17, attended Ss. Colman-John Neumann School in Bryn Mawr and played CYO football for St. Denis in Havertown.
"I've always wanted to go to the Prep for high school," the Haverford resident said. "Prep football was a big deal to me. I had to be part of it."
North Penn-Prep. Knights quarterback Corey Ernst completed 24 of 37 passes for 359 yards and four TDs. Knights wideout Dan Gevirtz made nine catches for 167 yards and two TDs. Tight end/fullback Ralph Reeves netted 64 yards, including a 14-yard TD, on six receptions. . . . Mornhinweg connected with nine receivers. Ten, if you count him. Late in the first quarter, when a ball was batted back at him, he snatched it and ran for a 3-yard gain. . . . Hawks wideout Jim Hurley caught TD passes of 69 and 23 yards. . . . In the second quarter, a 41-yard punt by North Penn's Brandon Mandes was downed at the Prep 1 by Reeves. . . . The Prep outgained North Penn, 426-393. . . . Tim Roken, a quarterback at Archbishop Ryan (Class of 2004) and East Stroudsburg, is the coordinator of the Prep's spread offense.
Prime time. On Friday night, there are four marquee league showdowns worth watching:
In the Suburban One League, No. 4-ranked Neshaminy visits No. 6 Abington (National Conference), and North Penn travels to Central Bucks South (Continental).
The Ches-Mont League National Conference title could be on the line when No. 5 Coatesville and No. 2 Downingtown East slug it out at Kottmeyer Stadium.
And, in a Public League Class AAAA Gold Division goodie at Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium, defending league champ Northeast hosts Frankford.
Also intriguing on Friday, at William Tennent's Claude Lodge Memorial Field, is the Catholic League non-division tilt between No. 7 St. Joe's Prep and No. 1 Archbishop Wood.
Extra points. In Saturday's 27-19 nonleague win at Penn Charter, Interboro defensive end Rashon Fentress posted seven tackles, including six solos, and recovered a fumbled punt return. Linebacker Tom Takacs was next in line for the Bucs, with six tackles. Lineman Jeff Wasch, linebacker Danny Ouimette, and safety Shawn Frampton each recorded five tackles. . . . For Penn Charter, linebacker Tom Monzo produced nine tackles, including six solos. Lineman Tyler Mercer made seven stops before leaving in the second half due to an injury.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Quakers down by 27-19, Daryl Worley's 57-yard punt return was called back because of an illegal block. The hosts would have taken over at the Interboro 20. . . . Marple Newtown fullback Cimirrow Moat has carried 59 times for 595 yards and nine TDs. Lineman Corey Power (18) and inside linebacker Ryan Schollenberger (17) are the Tigers' leading tacklers. . . . Boyertown's Jon Neiman has rushed 55 times for 375 yards and six TDs. . . . For Spring-Ford, Hank Coyne has converted 41 of 60 passes for 622 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rick O'Brien: The Inquirer TOP 10
FOOTBALL
Team Record
Last week's rankings in parentheses.
1. Archbishop Wood (1) 2-1
2. Downingtown East (2) 3-0
3. La Salle (3) 2-1
4. Neshaminy (4) 3-0
5. Coatesville (9) 3-0
6. Abington (NR) 3-0
7. St. Joseph's Prep (NR) 3-0
8. Malvern Prep (NR) 2-1
9. Council Rock South (7) 3-0
10. Father Judge (NR) 2-1
Under consideration (listed alphabetically): Cardinal O'Hara (2-1), Downingtown West (3-0), Marple Newtown (3-0), North Penn (1-2), Roman Catholic (2-1).
- Rick O'Brien
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter.
