Saluting a Frankford coaching icon
The late Al Angelo was honored with a monument on the field where he inspired so many.
The game was an afterthought.
Most in attendance came to pay tribute to the late Al Angelo.
Former Frankford football players, coaches and fans from various generations came to Frankford Memorial Stadium yesterday for a memorial service to honor the Pioneers' winningest coach.
And this season's team perhaps paid Angelo the biggest homage, beating Lincoln, 33-0, in the home opener.
"I hear about coach Angelo all the time," Frankford running back Nathan Johnson. "I always hear about all the tradition that he started.
"We have been talking about this game way before this week. We had to come out here and be respectful and win it for him. And do it for his family."
Not only the Pioneers (2-1) made the Angelos proud, the late coach was probably somewhere smiling about the entire event.
Coaching representatives from North Catholic, George Washington and Bartram were also on hand to pay respect for a coach who died in April of pancreatic cancer.
Angelo compiled a 184-39-5 record at Frankford in two stints (1965-84, 1987). He led the Pioneers to 10 Public League championships and one City title.
More than a coach, Angelo served as father figure to his players. He wasn't above driving a player home after practice. And Angelo was always there to give advice.
To him, football was a way to groom teenagers into men.
That's why former current and former Frankford players, fans, opposing coaches and friends were all on hand yesterday.
Former NBC-10 anchorman Vince DeMentri was the master of ceremonies for the halftime memorial service at north end of the stadium. DeMentri, who wore a red No. 39 Pioneers jersey, played for Angelo at Frankford in the early 1980s.
During the ceremony, the Angelo family was presented citations from the City of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Frankford High School Alumni Association.
Then Angelo's longtime friend, Joe Schiavo unveiled a memorial of the coaching legend.
"By them putting this statue here honoring him, this just tells you where he would want to be," said former New York Jets running back Blair Thomas, who shined under Angelo in the mid-1980s at Frankford. "Anybody who got a chance to know Al Angelo, knows that being on the football field means everything to him. Football was his life."
And winning football games was what he'll always be known for.
On this day, the Pioneers didn't come close to letting him down.
Only a few things the Railsplitters (1-2) tried work. And a lot of things Frankford tried, Lincoln was unable to stop.
It all led to the Pioneers scoring on their first four possessions.
Frankford outgained Lincoln by 264-2 in rushing yards.
Pioneers' sophomore quarterback Michael McGroarty completed 2 of 3 passes for 50 yards and a score.
McGroarty, who started in place of Kalif Walker, also rushed for a 2-yard touchdown.
Frankford coach Michael Capriotti would only say that a healthy Walker missed the game in order to rest up for Friday's showdown at Northeast.
Johnson was the leading rusher with 71 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries.
Lincoln 0 0 0 0 - 0
Frankford 14 12 7 0 - 33
F: Lewis 11 run (Ferrell kick)
F: Ferrell 21 pass from McGroarty (Ferrell kick)
F: McGroarty 2 run (kick blocked)
F: Johnson 2 run (pass failed)
F: Watson 20 run (Ferrell kick)