Palmyra's Pratt turns energies to possible college destinations

Palmyra senior wide receiver-defensive back Quron Pratt hasn't had much down time since the football season ended.

Pratt, who had a school-record 20 career interceptions, has had to juggle recruiting with basketball. He is also an accomplished point guard in basketball, but Pratt's athletic future is in football.

Over the weekend, he made an official visit to the University of Delaware. This weekend, he will be making a visit to Pittsburgh.

Pratt said that Boston College, West Virginia and William and Mary are other schools he is considering visiting.

And despite a hectic schedule, Pratt has taken the time to soak in the often frantic world of recruiting.

"I'm still really enjoying it," Pratt said yesterday after finishing basketball practice. "It won't be long until it's over so I'm going to take it all in."

The first day a high school football recruit can sign a letter of intent is Feb. 4.

Pratt was joined on his official visit to Delaware by Delran offensive lineman Nick Cattolico, who has already made an oral commitment to the Blue Hens.

And according to Pratt, Cattolico was trying to do some recruiting for the Blue Hens.

"He wants me to come there," Pratt said laughing.

Pratt must have made a favorable impression on Cattolico by scoring on an interception return in a 22-6 win over Delran this year.

What Pratt is realizing is that many others will try to persuade him to come to their schools.

Gang tackling.

There are many reasons why Glassboro went 12-0 for the second straight year, but the Bulldogs' ability to tackle as a group was one of their impressive traits. Nine players finished with 40 or more tackles, led by senior linebacker Josh Bell, who had 79 tackles.

Another goose egg.

There were 20 sectional or state championships over the weekend, and only three ended in a shutout. (The NJSIAA conducted 16 public school sectional finals, four sections of Groups 1 through 4 and four Non-Public state titles in Groups 1 through 4).

Should it be a surprise that Holy Cross was one of the teams that posted a shutout?

The Lancers scored a 7-0 win over Hudson Catholic for their second straight Non-Public Group 2 state crown. The Lancers beat Gloucester Catholic, 17-0, in last year's championship.

"They say defense wins championships and in this case it was true," said first-year Holy Cross coach Tim McAneney, who was the Lancers' defensive coordinator last year.

The other playoff shutouts were Brick Memorial beating Sayerville, 24-0, in the Central Jersey Group 4 final, and Piscataway defeated Hunterdon Central, 38-0, in the North Jersey II Group 4 championship.

Farrell to resign.

Tom Farrell is stepping down after seven seasons of coaching New Egypt because of his new job as the school's principal. Farrell was 34-36, which is impressive considering he was guiding an almost-new program.

Farrell took over in 2002, which was New Egypt's second varsity season. By 2004, he guided the Warriors to their first winning season, going 7-4. His last two teams qualified for the Central Jersey Group 1 playoffs.

"I think the games are for the players, but what I will really miss is the practices," Farrell said. "I love the relationship with the players and the ability to work with them in practice."

And don't be surprised if he sneaks out of his office next fall to attend a practice or two.

"I think I'll find my way to the field," he said laughing.

No successor has been named.

Perfection.

This year marked the fourth time in South Jersey history that at least three teams had 12-0 seasons. Shawnee, Mainland and Glassboro were the teams.

Last season, Holy Spirit, Moorestown and Glassboro had 12-0 records.

There were four 12-0 teams in 2004 (West Deptford, Shawnee, Florence and Schalick), and three in 2003 (Deptford, West Deptford and Florence).

Since the NJSIAA expanded the playoffs to eight-team fields in 1998 - making it possible to play 12 games - 20 area teams have finished with 12-0 records