Academy Park’s Jermaine Wesley falls into the end zone for a touchdown before Imhotep Charter’s Amin Black, 16, and Isheem Young, 3, can bring him down for the Knights’ first touchdown in a 46-16 loss in the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals Friday night. (Times Staff/Tom Kelly IV)
By Matt Smith
Academy Park junior Teddy Wright was all smiles after the Knights’ season-ending 46-16 defeat to Imhotep Charter in the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.
“Man, I’m already amped up for next year,” said Wright, a playmaking defensive back who recorded six interceptions for the best defense in Delaware County. “Plenty to be excited about.”
Wright will be one of AP’s senior leaders next fall. Unfortunately for Wright and his boys, the 2015 season ended with a loss, a 46-16 thumping at the hands of the District 12 champion Panthers.
The Knights (13-1) accomplished their goals of winning Del Val League and District One titles. Sure, it would have been nice to win three more games and celebrate a state title, but Imhotep Charter is on another planet. The Panthers defeated two-time reigning state champions Archbishop Wood to get to Friday night for a date with Academy Park at Plymouth-Whitemarsh.
“Those guys are good,” Wright said.
The Knights put up a fight, and showed flashes of what made them such a special team this year, but on the other side of the field was a team that had punished opponents at will. Imhotep entered the contest having outscored teams, 564-72. The Knights would be their next victim.
