By Melissa Yerkov

Times Sports Editor

Mark Brown has always been willing to fight for the Falcons.

He fought in the Catholic League soccer title game last year, helping his North Catholic High School teammates bring home the championship crown. He fought in the famous "Pit" during wrestling season, again helping the Falcons make it to the championship bout.

Now he's fighting for the most important thing of all.

His beloved school.

The North Catholic community is still dealing with the aftermath of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's decision to close the 83-year-old institution at the end of the school year. That October decision, sealed by finances and enrollment declines, according to the archdiocese, inspired the community to hold rallies, meetings and anything else they could think of to keep the high school in operation.

Mark Brown hopes that dismay doesn't fade away.

"We really don't like to think about it, but it gives us more to fight about, more to fight for," said Brown, a senior. "We're going to fight until the end and they have to close us."

Brown, a four-year varsity player for the Falcons' soccer squad, helped his team claim the Catholic League title last season. The Falcons emerged with a thrilling 1-0 victory over La Salle High School.

This time around, though, wasn't as euphoric. In an Oct. 29 quarterfinal showdown, it took all of regulation play and two overtimes to produce a winner - Archbishop Ryan High School. The Raiders won, 4-2, on penalty kicks during a tense shootout.

That somber outcome meant more than the end of North Catholic's soccer season. It meant the end of an era at North Catholic.

The Catholic League debuted in 1919. North came aboard in 1927. The Falcons claimed the city title in 1933, the first of many championships to come. In fact, the squad went on to claim 22 Catholic League championship crowns - nine of which were earned from 1957 to '66. (The Falcons tied Cardinal Dougherty in 1959.)

"North Catholic is much more than just a school," said Brown. "Since my freshman year, North has just gotten better and better. There's a tradition here."

For Brown, a Tacony resident, the decision to attend the Frankford neighborhood school was an easy one. He was quite familiar with the long tradition of excellence there.

"North Catholic is a great all-around school," he said. "It's kind of a home for me, because with sports and everything, I'm there from seven in the morning until eight at night.

"Academically, I've had my best school year, first honors," he added proudly. "Everybody is so welcoming - all the teachers, the coaches you don't even play sports for, everybody."

Brown has always been an athlete, a natural instinct that has only heightened since teaming up with North. In addition to his soccer skills, Brown gave wrestling a shot last year, not a big stretch for someone who dedicated most of his childhood to the martial arts.

"I used to grapple from age six to twelve," recalled Brown, who trained at Tiger Schulmann's Karate on Cottman Avenue. "It was such a good learning experience. I really got a lot out of it. But then I really started focusing on soccer. I enjoyed playing soccer more, so I stopped karate.

"I really wanted to get back into it to see what I can do," he continued. "Plus it's a great way to get in shape for soccer - it increases muscle tone, endurance, everything."

He didn't disappoint.

Brown debuted with the Falcons' wrestling team last season, helping the squad reach the Catholic League championship match. The Falcons lost to longtime rival La Salle High School. A disappointing end, true, but with wrestling season here again, Brown will soon have another shot at a title win.

"From soccer to wrestling, it's a fast transition. The next day, I go to wrestling," explained Brown. "It's all right. I've learned to deal with it. I'm used to always running from sport to sport. I always played a lot of sports.

"I just want to make myself better," he added. "I was never one to wait around. Every practice I'm working hard, running hard. I don't like to be last."

Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com