Bartram knocks off Archbishop Ryan behind speedy trio led by Mahmud Dioubate

If Mahmud Dioubate spent the bulk of last season playing the role of Superman for Bartram's offense, this season the dual-threat senior quarterback has ample help from senior speedsters Ibrahim Diaoune and Davon Thompson.

The only thing the duo might need to work out is which will be nicknamed the Flash.

Saturday afternoon at the South Philadelphia Supersite, the Justice Leaguers helped Bartram nip Archbishop Ryan, 22-21, even after their Man of Steel made a few uncharacteristic mistakes.

"Feels good because the Public League is underrated," Diaoune said. "We're overlooked a lot by the Catholic League so we came out here to prove it, to make a statement to the league that we're trying to win a championship, trying to win the whole Public League, states, everything."

Bartram might just have the talent for multiple title runs.

Last year's team, though it lost to Imhotep, was the first Bartram football squad to compete for a league title since 1987. Dioubate also became the first player since West Catholic's Curtis Drake (2008) to throw and run for more than 1,000 yards last season.

On Saturday, Diaoune, a 5-9, 160-pound receiver, was the go-to guy for Dioubate, who finished 13-25 for 102 yards in the air, while adding 165 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

Diaoune caught 9 passes for 88 yards and added a controversial interception late in the fourth.

Davon Thompson, a 5-11, 180-pound running back, finished with 105 yards and a score on just 8 carries (13 yards per attempt).

He also gave the Braves (1-0) life with an 85-yard touchdown run in the first quarter after Ryan (0-1) had seized early momentum with a fumble recovery in the end zone.

An errant snap from about the 25-yard line sailed past Dioubate, who hesitated for a moment before chasing the ball into the end zone. The 6-3, 200-pounder, however, couldn't secure the ball, which allowed Ryan's Dan McBride to fall on it for an early score.

Late in the second half, Dioubate, last year's Daily News Co-Player of the Year in the Public League along with Imhotep's Isheem Young, missed a wide-open receiver. Then in the fourth quarter, he fumbled into the waiting hands of Ryan junior John O'Brien with Bartram nursing a 22-14 edge with 10 minutes, 43 seconds left.

Ryan responded 10 seconds later when backup quarterback Jahill Sanders handed the ball off to Mike Minniti, who tossed the ball to Kyron Long on what looked like a reverse until Long threw to Sanders, who was all alone for a 27-yard score.

Ryan, however, elected to kick an extra point instead of a 2-point try that could have tied the game. A late interception thwarted their final chance, but the Raiders had ample opportunities throughout.

Three consecutive fumbled kickoffs to start the second half gave away any momentum the Raiders' 14-8 halftime lead had built. The first two fumbled kicks were recovered by Bartram and resulted in Dioubate touchdowns. The third was recovered by Ryan.

After one of his own late miscues, Dioubate retreated to the sideline to regroup and was counseled by Thompson.

"I just let him know that we're leaders. Everybody's looking up to us. When somebody sees your head down, they're going to put their head down, too. We've got to lead by example."

Despite the miscues, Dioubate responded brilliantly and helped the Braves salt away the clock with physical runs and accurate passes.

He even broke free for what would have been a 45-yard score had an illegal block behind the play negated the score.

Ryan was led by Minniti's 90 yards rushing on 12 carries. Diaoune intercepted Sanders with 6 minutes, 34 seconds left and Ryan at Bartram's 16-yard line.

Ryan's coaches argued the ball was trapped. Dioubate and Company never relinquished the ball.

Bartram     8   0    6    8                22

Ryan          7    7   0    7                 21

R: Dan McBride fumble recovery in end zone. Tim Rola kick.

B: Davon Thompson 85 run. Fred Lackey from Mahmu Dioubate.

R: Jason Jefferson 14 run. Rola kick.

B: Dioubate 6 run. Run failed

B: Dioubate 8 run. Dioubate run

R: Jahill Sanders 27 pass from Kyron Long. Rola kick.