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In this case, the "devil" was actually the role model.
Not until after the game ended, and he happened to glance toward a nearby restraining fence during an interview session, did Sean McCartney realize that his older brother, Bryan, whom he was discussing at that very moment, had put in a spectating appearance.
The scene unfolded Saturday night at Wissahickon High, where McCartney and lookin'-mighty Archbishop Wood did a 41-0 number on Conwell-Egan in Catholic AAA football.
McCartney, a 6-3, 175-pound senior, plays quarterback and free safety for coach Steve Devlin. Does so impressively, too.
Whether this current season will be his last is up for debate.
Though Devlin said schools such as Villanova and Hofstra are seeking Sean for his defensive-backing skills, it's possible he will opt for lacrosse in college (he also plays basketball). That's what Bryan did, even though he'd enjoyed first-magnitude football stardom at Wood.
"He always talks about how he misses football so much," Sean said. "He still wishes he could come back here and play.
"For me? We'll have to see what happens. I have a couple [pursuers] for lacrosse, so I'll have to keep my options open."
Soon, Sean was walking toward that fence and greeting his brother.
"I made him," Bryan said, laughing. "He didn't used to know that. But now he does . . . Ah, I'm just a has-been now."
About the miss-football thing . . . Would Bryan confirm that?
"I do," he said.
Would Bryan prefer to see Sean play football in college?
"He can play X-box if he wants," he cracked.
In this one, which featured a running clock through the entire second half, Sean McCartney ran eight times for 77 yards and three touchdowns while passing 4-for-8 for 96 yards. He lost a fourth score, on a 49-yard interception return, to a penalty.
Bryan, a 2006 grad, finished his career with 3,671 rushing yards, a school record and the No. 11 total in city history. The Vikings won three consecutive Blue titles and McCartney was the stud rusher by his sophomore year. He was a lacrosse force, on defense, even as a freshman at Villanova.
In the '06 season, meanwhile, Sean made a 10th-grade splash by passing for a school-mark 285 yards vs. West Catholic.
Don't expect him to turn reflective cartwheels.
"The only thing I can remember are my three picks," he said.
Ah, yes. Those yards came in a 20-12, title-game defeat.
"I would have much rather had the win than the yards," he said. "Losing that game wasn't good. I'm pretty demanding of myself. That runs through our family. Can't be helped."
Though Sean said he always admired Bryan and appreciated his help, being The Next McCartney led to pressure and he made a somewhat conscious effort to create his own legacy at a different position.
"I wanted to be different. Change things up a little," he said. "I always played quarterback [in youth ball], then stuck with it here at Wood from ninth grade on up. I feel I'm good at it."
Wood's offensive approach calls for occasional shotgun looks. Then McCartney can take the snap and forge ahead or throw, whichever works best.
His primary backfield partners, halfback Sean Cunningham (13-87, TD) and fullback Nick Devine (3-28, TD), are also quality while Mike Maxwell and Anthony Narisi make for inviting targets. The top lineman, tackle Adam Citko, is bound for Temple.
On those rare occasions when the offense stalls, James McFadden is available to hammer field goals. His duty was limited to PATs this time, but by hitting five he lifted his career point total to 100
"Since I like to run and throw, the way our offense is set up is nice," said McCartney, who lives in Buckingham [the township, not the palace]. "I like the shotgun the best. It gives me better vision."
Through Bryan, as he tries to reach a decision, Sean at least has a vision of what life sans football would be like. *
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