Selden keys defense as Del-Val blanks Comm. Tech

Throw a certain question at Ameer Selden, then listen to a response that tells all you need to know about his fervor for football.

As in, What does he plan to do down the road?

"You mean, as a backup plan?" he shot back, smiling.

Some kids hope to become pros in their chosen sport. Selden gives off that knows-he-will aura.

Selden, a 6-2, 215-pound senior, is an impressive senior linebacker for Delaware Valley Charter High. He can run and he displays good sniff-out ability - in other words, he has a keen knack for knowing what's going to happen very early in a play's development - and, man, does this dude pack a wallop.

Add that all up and...who knows?

"Since I go to a small school like Del-Val, and this is only our second year in the Public League, I was worried that colleges wouldn't be able to find me," Selden said. "I figured I had to bring attention to myself, so I went to seven to eight camps and combines over the summer, and a friend made tapes to send out. I'm getting some good interest."

Yesterday, at the South Philly Supersite, Selden hustled for 10 tackles, with three going for 17 yards in losses, as the Warriors blanked Communications Tech, 14-0, in a Public A contest.

Selden said Illinois, Miami and Texas Tech already expressed interest and requested more tapes.

"Illinois is talking about a full scholarship," Selden said. "Miami said maybe they could give me a half. I have to talk some more with Texas Tech...Things are looking good. Hopefully, even more schools will be looking at me."

About that backup plan.

"I'm thinking about majoring in business," Selden said. "I'd like to own one someday. Probably a restaurant. I'm taking a culinary arts class right now. I'm liking it."

Already, Selden said, he has become rather proficient at preparing a certain meal.

"What's it called? I don't know the name," he said. "I just know it tastes good."

He continued. "It's a fancy dish. Has noodles, and kiwi, and cucumbers, and chicken..."

When the subject is linebacking, from how he plays to what duties he must perform for coach Barry Thomas, Selden can darn near drain a tape recorder's batteries.

"I love everything about linebacking," he said. "From attacking the ball to reading where the play's going to go. Making sure I get to where I need to be. Making the stop.

"I have to make sure everybody does their job. I don't let no slackin' go. If I see somebody doing something wrong, they're going to hear about it. If it happens in practice, I'm going to make sure we do it over until we get it right.

"I keep the defense in check. No cursing. No fighting. Every person has to do his job. And do it right. I love having that responsibility. Anytime pressure's on me, my level of performance goes up."

Though DV's roster does not include heights and weights, it's hard to imagine another Class A team in Pennsylvania has this squad's size (two-way tackle Fred Ruff is a Division I prospect). Probably even very few AAAAs. The presence of numerous big'uns allows Selden to rest when the Warriors are on offense and, anyway, he's not particularly a fan of that side of the ball (though he does punt, and yesterday completed a 13-yard pass off a fake.)

"I hate the offense," he said, laughing. "I've got the attitude for linebacker. I like to attack. Not receive."

Shortly into the first quarter, Selden and Brian Murray combined to drop Rolando Ransom for a 1-yard loss on third-and-1. The punt was short, CT was guilty of a face-mask penalty during the return, and DV's scoring drive needed to cover only 28 yards.

Markeese Walker, who would finish with 157 yards on 23 carries, posted gains of 6, 3 and 19 yards to get the ball to the end zone.

In the second stanza, Selden's 3-yard TFL forced another punt. Brad Wilson unfurled a 26-yard return to the 16 and caught a 6-yard scoring pass from Sean Williams two plays later.

With Zaki Jameson (broken ankle) unavailable, Shaneal Lovett opened at QB for CT. He hurt his left hand, and running back Gameel "Pepsi" Strange, all 5-6, 135 pounds of him, switched from rusher to Wildphoenix snap-taker. He finished with 23 carries for 103 yards and, yes, even made Selden look silly on one occasion.

"That guy was pretty good," Selden said. "He put a nice move on me. Had to go get him the next play."

The Phoenix went most of the game without Ransom, their star rusher, who tweaked his lower back in the early going. He did make a brief return as Strange momentarily battled cramps.

On CT's final possession, Strange scatbacked his way to gains of 26, 19 and 16 yards to help move the ball to the 9. A last-play pass by receiver Terrance Brown was broken up.

Selden, who lives near Stenton and Upsal in West Oak Lane, attended West Catholic as a freshman. He tried basketball last year ("didn't like it") and will again play baseball next spring.

If you drew his blood, though, you'd probably discover it smells like a pigskin.

"I love football," he said. "I love attacking."

Somehow we knew that.i