Imhotep's QB shows big arm

WITH THE score already 28-0 in the third quarter, Imhotep's junior quarterback, Andre Dreuitt, dropped back to pass after a play-action fake and rifled a pass into his receiver's chest for a big-gainer.

As Nasir Lewis, a sophomore, strode down the field, coach Albie Crosby turned and said, "best kept secret in the Pub is my quarterback!"

Well, after Dreuitt's four-touchdown night in the Panthers' 48-8 takedown of West Catholic for the AA city championship, the secret is out - and in a big way.

The Panthers don't pass much. And with an offensive line that weighs a combined 1,439 pounds (average 287.8), who needs to throw the ball? So, Crosby has license to tout his 6-2, 175-pound QB.

"That makes me feel real good," Dreuitt said of coach's praise. "We don't throw the ball that much so when I get my opportunity I have to do my best."

Including last night's 10-for-15, 219-yard performance, Dreuitt has attempted just 38 passes in the Panthers' last four games (9.5 per game).

Four dimes (the kids call nice passes "dimes" now) went to junior Denniston "DJ" Moore, whom Dreuitt owes a few nickels after Moore made one catch behind - and over - a defender's head, and another of the juggling variety.

Moore, also a junior, finished with 119 yards, but was tackled at the 1 twice and watched teammates tally touchdowns instead. However, he did boot five extra points, so there's that.

For Dreuitt, he is something like a security-blanky.

"It feels like when everything goes wrong, throw it to that man," Dreuitt said of Moore. "He doesn't have to be open. Two people on him, three people on him, he's always open!"

Dreuitt would know, he says he's been a quarterback since he was 6 years old.

During tryouts with the Frankford Chargers, coaches told him to run a lap, so he took off like a shot. "I was so tired," he said. And when they said run another, "I was so mad I kicked the ball and they said throw it back."

He proceeded to whip the ball about 20 yards, to raised eyebrows and mutters of, "Kid's got an arm."

And a QB was born.

Years later, Dreuitt led Imhotep to back-to-back city championships. Twin 1-yard sneaks were his ground tallies, and two more followed in the air.

"It feels great," Dreuitt said. "We practiced all week for it. We knew these guys, and it feels great to do it again, but we're going all the way this year."

If they do, thank youth, and depth.

Nasir Bonner, a junior running back, finished with 70 yards on 10 carries and a receiving score last night. Mike Waters, a soph, went for 102 and a TD on the ground on 12 carries (8.5 per). Lewis, another soph, snagged two balls for 35 and a score. Tyliek Raynor, soph, had two topsoil scores.

Don't forget the bigguns' up front.

Senior tackle Taleem Muhammad (298 pounds), soph guard Johncarlo Valentin (317), senior center Gordon Thomas (285), senior guard Aaron Ruff (280) and junior tackle Antoine Williams (259).

Ruff, a temple commit, was helped off the field by two teammates after a rusher tumbled into his legs. He will be evaluated.

Defensively, Nasir "Pop" Upshur had a night, wreaking havoc in the backfield and tallying a sack. Quadeem Starks added an interception. A strip-sack-fumble belongs to Tyrone Barge.

WC was held to just two first downs at the half. The third came on a penalty. Antwain McCollum tossed a TD to Calil Worthham.

Ahkril Crumpton added two grabs for 84 yards and made the hustle play of the night, stripping Starks after the pick and also recovering the ball.

Dreuiit was asked evaluate his evolution as QB. He's been a starter since ninth grade.

"Freshman year, I was a little shaky," he said. "I was trying to get the hang of it. My sophomore year, I picked it up and became a captain."