West Philadelphia's Tart-Spencer makes jump to football
Teair Tart-Spencer has played football for only two seasons, but has become one of the city's best offensive linemen.
IF YOU SAW Teair Tart-Spencer play football this season for West Philadelphia High you might not believe last season was his first as a gridder.
At 6-4 and 285 pounds, the senior two-way lineman grew up playing basketball.
And when asked about the toughest adjustment, the Northern Liberties resident wasn't able to narrow his focus, at all.
"I guess it was learning how to do everything because I couldn't even get into the offensive tackle's stance!" he laughed. "It looked terrible, it looked terrible."
What a difference a year makes.
Yesterday, Overbrook got its second helping via a Turkey Day matchup that host West Philly won, 21-8.
Tart-Spencer helped the Speedboys (8-3, 4-2) with a pair of tackles for loss. Perhaps because West also beat 'Brook, 39-14, in Week 8, more action was kept from his side of the field.
Sophomore quarterback Clifford Brinkley hit junior Nykolis Rodriguez for 3 yards on Overbrook's only TD.
On the offensive end, Tart-Spencer helped the Speedboys rush for 243 yards. Senior running back Justin Hamilton rushed for 105 yards and a score on 16 carries. Tart-Spencer also added a late, two-point plunge that put away Panthers (4-8, 3-3).
"I think the key to the win was the offensive line," Tart-Spencer said. "Well, the whole team really. Coaches did a great job and my teammates were working together."
Tart-Spencer said the Speedboys used a similar formula to compete in the school's first Pub title game since the 1940s. West was drubbed by Imhotep, 62-0, but the historical achievement still had meaning.
"Overwhelming," Tart-Spencer said. "It's emotional. We've grown as a team. It's just like a family. It's just like a family."
Tart-Spencer was quick with praise for teammates and coaches. Among those singled out were junior lineman Kwadere Fleming, a first-team coaches' selection; senior Jarvis Cooper (Gary Butler Award for sportsmanship), Hamilton, defensive coach Karl "Bubb" Patrick and head coach Frank Steed.
After playing only basketball during his freshman and sophomore years at Palmer Charter, Tart-Spencer finally got his mother's blessing to join West's football squad.
And to hear him tell it, he was desperately in need of a coaching staff to help him figure the finer points.
"It just felt weird," he joked about learning the lineman's stance. "Like, one knee was touching the ground or I'd flop on the ground to try and get in my stance. It just looked terrible, it just looked terrible!"
Well, Temple, Syracuse, Morgan State and Villanova have noticed improvements. Tart-Spencer said he hasn't received any offers, but those schools have taken notice.
Public League AAA coaches have, too, making Tart-Spencer a defensive selection (only one team was selected).
"I appreciate it, I definitely appreciate it," he said. "I work hard, and so does everybody else.
"There's another dude [Fleming] beside me on the defensive line who is 6-2, 320 pounds and he's only a junior. So, to call me one of the best defensive linemen in the city is incredible."