When George Washington High needs to pick up a first down, they have a running back that knows how to get it done. Hakeem Sillman, George Washington’s terrific runner, has gained 360 yards on 43 carries while scoring seven touchdowns. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound senior has helped the Eagles post a 3-0 record this season.

“My running style is like Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars running back),” Sillman said. “He’s a powerful runner. I watch him play a lot. He can run with power and he’s explosive. I try to run as hard as I can. I try to pick up as many yards as I can. I always play hard for my team. I have a good offensive line. We have some great players like (Austin) McGrath, Melvin (McLeod) and Tyrone Smith. These guys have been playing with me since my sophomore year. They know what to do. They’ve been a big help to me.”

Sillman has been playing football since he was five years old. He started playing neighborhood football as a youngster. That’s where he learned the fundamentals of the game.

“I started playing for the Frankford Chargers when I was five,” Sillman said. “It was great playing for them. It was a lot of hard work. But I had a good time. I played running back and outside linebacker. I’ve been playing running back for a long time. So, when I came here, I knew what I was going to do.”

Sillman looks like another outstanding player in a long line of brilliant ones from George Washington. The Eagles have one of the best football programs in the city. The tradition is there. GW has two players, Daquan Cooper and Brandon Chudnoff, who play for the Temple Owls. They also have quarterback Aaron Wilmer playing for Delaware Valley College.

“We’ve had a lot of good players here,” Sillman said. “They’ve all done well. Now, they’re playing in college. It’s nice to see that. That’s my goal. I want to play college football next year.”

Sillman is one of the best running backs in the city. He has a lot of ability, which should help him play at the next level.

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Ronnie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles running back, hasn’t played in an Eagles-Giants NFC East game yet. However, Brown, who signed with the Eagles over the summer following six years with the Miami Dolphins, will get a good taste of the rivalry. The 6-foot, 230-pounder, is gearing up to face the New York Giants in the Eagles home opener at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 25 (1 p.m., Fox TV Channel 29).

“It’s new to me,” Brown said. “It’s my first year here. I’ve seen it in the past. You have a little bit back and forth, but at the end of the day you don’t really think about it when you get between those lines. It’s the scoreboard at the end of the game. So, I won’t really participate too much in that. … It’s going to be a great atmosphere. It’s the first home game. I’m expecting a big crowd. So, I’m getting ready for a big game.”

Brown signed with the Eagles during training camp. He’s been one of the Eagles major acquisitions this season. He’s a versatile running back with plenty of talent and experience. In 2005, he was a first round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins. He played six years with the Dolphins compiling 4,815 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also posted 184 receptions for 1,491 yards and 2 TDs.

Brown is a part of the Eagles high-powered offense that includes Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick (33-of-60 passes for 429 yards, 4TDs, 1 interception) wide receivers DeSean Jackson (15 catches for 123 yards and 1 TD) and Jeremy Maclin (14 receptions for 191 yards, 2TDs) and running back LeSean McCoy (33 carries for 217 yards, 3 TDs). Vick’s status is undetermined for Sunday. He suffered a concussion in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons. So far, Brown hasn’t put up big numbers. But he has done a lot of blocking for McCoy. He’s also a good short yardage runner.

“There are a lot of athletes on this football team,” said Brown, who has seven carries for 17 yards. “I mean just in general on both sides of the ball. We have guys to make plays in a special teams aspect, too. It’s a lot of talent running around out here.

“I think we have a chance to be a special football team. My role is growing. I think the more I get comfortable in the system the better things are going to get. LeSean is a great guy. He has tremendous talent. He works hard. He makes it easy to play beside him. He’s so enthusiastic about what he’s doing. He has all the ability in the world. He can run between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield.

“Mike’s ability speaks for itself. He’s a run threat. He’s capable of making all the throws that’s necessary for the offense. When you have a guy like him, it’s hard to account him. You can’t assimilate him in practice because you don’t have anybody with his ability to run around like that.”

Brown has been following the exploits of his college team as well as the great exploits of Cam Newton, former Auburn All-American quarterback, who now plays for the Carolina Panthers. Newton, Panthers rookie signal caller, has been very impressive in his first two NFL games. In a 30-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers, he completed 28-of-46 passes for 432 yards and 1 TD and 3 interceptions. In his second game, he was 24-of-37 for 422 yards and 2 TDs and 1 interception as Carolina dropped a 28-21 decision to the Arizona Cardinals.

“He got off to a good real good start,” Brown said. “I think he would like to have a couple wins. But he has done a tremendous job of coming in and holding his own. I think the skies the limit for him. I think the game will slow down for him and hopefully, he’ll get better.”  

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It should be another great matchup. It certainly was two years ago when they played each other for the city championship and this looks like another good one. George Washington will battle La Salle on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Northeast High School’s Charles Martin Stadium, Cottman and Algon avenues, for the Class AAAA city title.

George Washington won the Public League championship defeating Frankford, 20-13, to earn a trip to the city championship tilt. La Salle captured the Catholic League championship with a 16-6 victory over Roman Catholic. La Salle is the defending city champion in the Class AAAA division. They beat Northeast High a year ago to grab the city crown.

“It should be a good one,” said Drew Gordon, La Salle head coach. “George Washington has produced some great teams over the years. They have some good players. Our kids Sean Coleman, Tim Wade and Matt Magarity have worked extremely hard this year. We had a tough game with Roman. The players are excited about playing this game.”

Coleman had an impressive game against Roman Catholic, catching two passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns. He’s one of the best receivers in the Catholic League. La Salle has a well-balanced offense with Magarity at quarterback and Wade as the team’s leading rusher.

Hakeem Sillman put together another sensational effort in the league championship game. Sillman had 24 carries for 141 yards and two TDs in the win over Frankford. Ron Cohen, George Washington head coach, has one of the best running backs in the city.

“Hakeem has done a great job for us,” Cohen said. “He’s a special player. He scored a big touchdown for us against Frankford. Now, we have to play La Salle for the city championship. They always have good teams.”

In other action, Dobbins defeated Boys’ Latin, 42-12, to win the Public League Class AAA championship. Running backs Daquan Brown and Jameel Davis came up with huge games. Brown had 15 carries for 110 yards while scoring three TDs with one of 87 yards. Davis had 16 attempts for 200 yards. He also scored two TDs of 40 and 90 yards.

Dobbins will face Archbishop Wood for the city championship on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Northeast High School. The kickoff will be at noon. Wood has been a major powerhouse all season long. They’re led by (cousins) running backs Desmon Peoples and Brandon Peoples. Archbishop Wood won the Catholic League championship, crushing Monsignor Bonner, 42-14. Desmon Peoples rushed for 107 yards on 14 carries and scored two TDs. Brandon Peoples had 10 carries for 134 yards and one TD run.

West Catholic won the city championship in the Class AA division edging Bok, 30-23.

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The postseason really heats up this weekend for Public and Catholic League teams. In fact, championships will be on the line for several of the city’s best high school football teams. The games will feature some of Philly’s top scholastic players.

West Catholic (7-3 overall, 4-0 league) will battle Bok (9-0 overall, 6-0 league) for the Class AA city title at the South Philadelphia Super Site, 10th and Bigler streets. Kickoff will be at noon.

The Burrs will be led by quarterback Jaleel Reed, who has thrown for 514 yards and six touchdowns this season. Reed has displayed some great running ability too, tallying 422 yards on 70 carries. Joining him in the backfield will be running back David Williams, who has played extremely well. Williams has carried the ball 186 times for 1,305 yards, including 12 touchdowns on the season.

Bok has a great running back in Shaquil Sammons, who has rushed for 1,119 yards on 150 carries while scoring 15 touchdowns. Sammons is one of the leading rushers in the city. The ground attack could play a big difference in the outcome of the city championship game between these two teams.

Boys’ Latin (7-3 overall, 4-3 league) will clash with Dobbins (8-2 overall, 5-2 league) at Northeast High School’s Charles Martin Stadium, Cottman and Algon Avenues on Saturday, Nov. 12. The game will start at 1 p.m. These two clubs will be playing for the Class AAA championship.

Dobbins has a terrific runner in Daquan Brown, who has gained 1,041 yards on 169 carries. Brown has also scored six touchdowns. Jameel Davis is the other talented back in the Mustangs’ backfield. Davis has rushed for 545 yards on 85 carries. He has scored eight touchdowns.

Boys’ Latin has been able to put together a balanced attack with quarterback Erik Lark and wide receiver Tahir Perlote. Lark has completed 77 of 193 passes for 944 yards and 12 TDs. Perlote has been his key target. He has 25 receptions for 354 yards and seven TDs. Ben Coulibaly has given Boys’ Latin a solid running attack. Coulibaly has rushed for 1,049 yards on 173 carries while tallying five touchdowns.

Frankford (7-2 overall, 6-0 league) will face George Washington (7-2 overall, 5-1 league) at Northeast on Saturday, Nov. 12. The kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Pioneers and the Eagles will play for the Class AAAA championship. Frankford won the matchup during the regular season with George Washington, 21-20. This should be one of the best games of the weekend.

Tim DiGiorgio, Frankford quarterback, has been sensational this season. DiGiorgio has completed 108 of 184 passes for 1,871 yards and 25 TDs. Aaron Allison, Pioneers wide receiver, has caught 21 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Kelly Johnson will be a key part of the team’s running attack. Johnson has gained 418 yards on 73 carries.

Hakeem Sillman, George Washington running back, will be the player to watch. Sillman has rushed for 1,554 yards on 184 attempts. He has scored an impressive 25 touchdowns. The Eagles will keep the ball in his hands.

In the Catholic League, Roman Catholic (7-3 overall, 2-2 league) will play La Salle (9-1 overall, 4-0 league) at Northeast on Friday, Nov. 11. The kickoff will be at 7 p.m. These teams will be playing for the Class AAAA title.

Marcus Kelly is Roman Catholic’s leading rusher. Kelly has gained 1,546 yards on 200 carries. He has scored 12 touchdowns, too. Kelly’s running skills will be on display against La Salle.

Tim Wade has been a great running back for La Salle. Wade has amassed 1,243 yards on 201 carries while scoring an amazing 16 TDs. Matt Magarity, La Salle’s quarterback, has a strong arm. Magarity has completed 90-of-162 passes for 1,236 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Monsignor Bonner (6-4 overall, 2-1 league) will face powerhouse Archbishop Wood (9-1 overall, 3-0 league) at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. These teams will be playing for the Class AAA championship.

Abraham Jaward, Bonner’s outstanding running back, will be a big part of the Friars’ offense. Jaward has rushed for 698 yards on 114 attempts. He has scored four touchdowns, too.

Archbishop Wood has a big running attack with (cousins) Desmon Peoples and Brandon Peoples. Desmon leads the team with 693 yards on 84 carries while scoring 13 touchdowns. Brandon has rushed for 484 yards on 59 attempts and has tallied 12 TDs.

NOTES: Imhotep Charter will play Springfield Montco on Friday, Nov. 11 in a sub-regional playoff game at 7 p.m.

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There were a number of great performances during the high school playoffs last weekend. However, there weren’t many better than Hakeem Sillman, George Washington High’s senior running back. Sillman had 16 carries for 161 yards and three touchdowns to lead George Washington to a 36-20 victory over Germantown.

“He’s a special player,” said Ron Cohen, George Washington head coach. “We’ve had a lot of good running backs. Hakeem is one of the best. We got off to a slow start against Germantown. He really came on for us. He picked up a lot of tough yards. He did a great job of running the football.”

With the victory, George Washington will face Frankford for the Public League Class AAAA title. Frankford defeated Central in its semifinal matchup, 37-12. Kelly Johnson, Frankford’s star running back, had 12 carries for 113 yards and one touchdown in that contest. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. at Northeast High School’s Charles Martin Stadium, Cottman and Algon Avenues.

Boys’ Latin defeated West Philadelphia, 30-0 in the Public League Class AAA semifinals. Erik Lark, Boys’ Latin quarterback, threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another. Lark threw two TDs to wide receiver Tahir Perlote. Boys’ Latin will battle Dobbins for the Class AAA championship on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. at Northeast. Dobbins defeated Simon Gratz, 28-12 to advance to the title game.

West Catholic and Bok will play for the Class AA city title on Saturday, Nov. 12 at noon at the South Philadelphia Super Site, 10th and Bigler streets. West Catholic crushed Bishop McDevitt, 47-8, to reach the championship game. The Burrs were led by quarterback Jaleel Reed (9 carries for 72 yards and 3 TDs) and running back David Williams (7 carries for 134 yards and 2 TDs). Bok edged Imhotep Charter, 22-19, to reach the AA finals. Shaquil Sammons, Bok running back, had 28 carries for 71 yards and 2 TDs.

In the Catholic League AAAA semifinals, La Salle topped Father Judge, 26-16 to move into the league championship game against Roman Catholic. The Cahillites cruised to a 45-17 win over St. Joseph’s Prep in their semifinal contest. The teams will play each other on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.

In the Catholic League AAA semifinals, Monsignor Bonner nipped Cardinal O’Hara, 20-14. Bonner will face Archbishop Wood in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. The game will be played at Plymouth Whitemarsh. Archbishop Wood clobbered Archbishop Carroll, 55-6 to advance to the championship round.

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