"Whoever gets the biggest hit in each game gets his name written on it, and at the end of the season the guy whose name is on there the most gets to keep it. I thought it would be a good teamwork thing for the defense. Something to make everybody strive to hit harder."
One problem . . .
"I texted coach [Jeff] Humble to see if he was going to bring the sledgehammer with him," Worley said. "He said it wasn't ready, but luckily an assistant coach brought one and I decorated it [with ribbons] for PC's [blue/yellow] colors before the game."
Though fellow d-back Corey Kelley, who delivered several Grade A teeth-rattlers, was tabbed to receive the 'hammer Saturday, it wasn't as if Worley walked toward the locker room empty-handed after the Quakers opened their season with a 30-0, nonleague win over visiting Samuel Fels.
He received a game ball for a performance that included three interceptions as well as a touchdown catch.
The game ball was even tossed to Worley. Who would have thought?
For the second year under the guidance of lacrosse star/quarterback Kevin Murphy, whose quick feet are good for the option, PC is very much a running team. Mix in the fact that tailback Eric Neefe and fullback Eric Berger are competent rushers, and that chief lineman Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame commit) has been mistaken for the Empire State Building (6-8, 275), and passing is mostly a rumor.
"It's what I expected. It is what it is," Worley said, pleasantly. "We have to move our offense in the best way possible; they do try to get it to me when they can."
Worley made two receptions for 39 yards (33, 6 for a TD) shortly before halftime, after a big hit by Kelley and recovery by Berger created an opportunity. His only other offensive touch came on a backward pass that went on to the stat sheet as a rushing play.
His picks featured soar-and-snatch heroics.
"Once I get to West Virginia I'll have to make a decision on my position, but for now I'm more focused on defense," Worley said. "I have intensity on every play over there.
"Our new athletic director [John Thiel] was a Division I defensive back. He came to practice one day and we talked. One thing really sticks with me. He said, 'I've seen how you play on the offensive side. I want you to transition that to defense.'
"That's my mindset now. Any ball that's thrown in my area belongs to me. Just like I'm on offense. I want it to be mine."
Toward the end of the summer, there was talk that Worley could wind up playing some quarterback.
"I did try it. For maybe two series in our scrimmage last week in Delaware," he said.
And?
"I was so sore," he said, laughing. "Too much of getting hit. I asked out of that."
Berger led the Quakers with 97 yards and one TD on 19 carries. Neefe produced 84 yards and two scores on 16 rushes. The starting grunts were center Mark Opaliski, guards Frank McGlinchey and Patrick McInerney, and tackles Mike McGlinchey (they're brothers) and Anthony Campanile. After Opaliski suffered an early ding to his right knee, F. McGlinchey moved to center and frosh Sean Foley filled in at guard.
For Fels, Jamiel Hines managed 64 yards on five carries.
Worley, who lives footsteps from Temple University Hospital, caught PC's eyes while playing for St. William, in Lawndale. He'll spend his winter and spring as a sprinter for the track team.
And, as this football season continues, while it's doubtful Daryl Worley will come anywhere close to leading the city in receptions, take away "re", place "inter" in front of "ceptions" and now you might be talking.
Contact Ted Silary at silaryt@phillynews.com.
