Dioubate puts in all on d-line

MINUTES AFTER Prep Charter remained undefeated by knocking off Delaware Valley Charter, 13-6, on Saturday, Karamo Dioubate plopped onto the turf at the South Philadelphia Supersite physically and emotionally spent.

He had just limped into the Huskies' victorious end zone, assisted by an assistant coach as head man David Hand addressed his first-place squad.

Dried salt caked near the 6-4, 265-pound two-way lineman's temples, no doubt from persistent perspiration. Teammates and coaches joined to peel the pads from his battered body as an ice pack rested on his left knee.

The young fella had just put in some serious work: eight tackles, seven solos, five for losses, a forced fumble and 4.5 sacks that cost the Warriors 33 yards.

Famished after snacking on quarterbacks and ballcarriers, Dioubate had something specific in mind when asked his favorite thing about playing football.

"Sacking the quarterback," he said, bursting into laughter. "That's the best feeling. Best thing in life, nothing better."

What's close?

"Food!"

Born of Liberian parents, Dioubate has the size and strength to become the city's most dominant defensive lineman, and, he's only a junior. More than likely, that'll mean a bigger body a year from now. And, if his mother's cooking has anything to do with it - look out!

"On a scale of 1 to 10?" he volleyed when asked about his mother's [Mariam Sheriff] culinary skills. "10!"

The Southwest Philadelphia resident (71st Street and Woodland Avenue) said he enjoys his mom's African dishes most.

Cassava leaves soup or stew, the way Sheriff prepares it, consists of the drought-resistant African leaves along with beef, chicken, turkey, etc. Potato greens, another of Dioubate's favorites, come from the leaves of the sweet potato plant. Finally, Acheke, a West African dish, is served with rice, meat, Cassava, etc., Dioubate said.

He was born in Staten Island, N.Y., but lived in Liberia for a few years when he was 3 and 4 years old. Though he was young, he hasn't forgotten his roots.

"It's real important because that's where my family is from," he said. "That's important to me because then I know where I'm from."

After a few more healthy plates, you can bet more schools than Rutgers, Temple and Delaware will be making offers. Hand said Pittsburgh and Maryland have already invited Dioubate to upcoming games, and Florida is also said to be charging hard.

"Ask my coach man," Dioubate said, smiling. "I don't know. He handles all that. I just play football."

Quarterbacks are certainly tasty, but Dioubate doesn't discriminate.

"There's nothing better than sacking the quarterback, especially in crucial times," he said. "Third downs, fourth downs, running backs, quarterbacks, whoever."

In Saturday's Public League AA battle of unbeatens, the Huskies (7-0-1, 4-0) and Warriors (7-1, 3-1) exchanged field position for most of a defensive first half.

That is until senior quarterback Vian Dolo hit senior wide out John Schantz for a 30-yard completion to the Del-Val 2. Dolo plunged in later for a 7-0 lead with 8:51 left in the half.

Initially, Del-Val responded well, converting a 3rd-and-30 in its own territory on a pass from junior QB Shayne Smith to senior wide out Jeffrey Sampson. After a 15-yard, facemask penalty was tacked onto the 36-yard completion, the Warriors eventually marched to the Huskies' 7.

However, a block-in-the-back penalty negated a Kyeef Williams' touchdown and then Prep Charter's Jabril Little ended Del-Val's drive with a fourth-down sack.

The Warriors did themselves few favors. Ten penalties for 78 yards didn't help. Neither did allowing Quadir Strothers into the end zone on a 56-yard Dolo pass that began with 1.2 seconds left in the half.

With Prep Charter at its own 44, Strothers, who said he suggested the play to his coaches, caught the ball near the right seam and booked left for what was the deciding tally.

Later, an inadvertent whistle cost Del-Val a defensive TD on a fumble return with 7:07 left in the third quarter. After a snap sailed over Dolo's head, the loose ball squirted free and was scooped by Desmont Pugh, a heartbeat after the whistle blew. Pugh raced into the end zone, but the ball stayed with Prep Charter after the referees determined the whistle to be accidental.

However, the Warriors did get the ball back two plays later after back-to-back Husky fumbles, the last recovered by Zamir Davis. A 43-yard Shaheed Brown punt return was Del-Val's lone tally.

Dioubate and Co. were feeling miserly in front of a boisterous homecoming crowd.

"It feels good because all week both teams were doing all the crap-talking on social media," he smiled. "I'm not on any social networks, so I just told my teammates to stop arguing [that way]. Just leave everything out there on the field and whoever wins is the better team."

A playoff rematch is likely. Just another chance for Dioubate to do what he loves.

"Football is life," he said, voice trailing. "Football is life.

"The reason I play: My family, my friends, my coaches. Because I live with a single mother and I eventually want to pay for her to enjoy the rest of her life."

Just keep eatin' young fella: food, quarterbacks, ballcarriers, whatever.

Nasir Bonner led Del-Val with 64 yards on 18 carries. Quadir Strothers had three catches for 61 yards for Prep Charter. Anthony Thomas added an interception for the Huskies.