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Texans' Strong, Savage stir memories of another Philly tandem

Pass from O’Hara’s Tom Savage to West Catholic’s Jaelen Strong sparks memory of last local pair to connect in a regular-season NFL game.

Houston Texans receiver Jaelen Strong (11) celebrates his third quarter touchdown with guard Cody White (67) against the San Francisco 49ers in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. The Texans beat the 49ers 23-10.
Houston Texans receiver Jaelen Strong (11) celebrates his third quarter touchdown with guard Cody White (67) against the San Francisco 49ers in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. The Texans beat the 49ers 23-10.Read more(Matthew Emmons/USA Today)
    by BY TOM MAHON, Daily News Staff Writer <a href="mailto:mahont@phillynews.com">mahont@phillynews.com</a>
    Published 

ON SATURDAY night, former West Catholic star Jaelen Strong caught a pass from Cardinal O'Hara product Tom Savage in the Texans' 14-10 loss to the Broncos.

In May, the Texans drafted Strong in the third round. Last year, they selected Savage in the fourth round.

Strong has caught two passes - both thrown by Savage - in preseason action, including a 10-yard TD toss in a Week 1 win over the 49ers.

The two could conceivably hook up in the regular season if Strong makes the team, and if Savage - currently the third QB behind Bobby Hoyer and Ryan Mallett - sees action.

According to high school sports guru Ted Silary, the last time two locals hooked up in an NFL regular-season game was on Oct. 7, 1950, when West Philadelphia High's Bill Mackrides threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Eagles teammate Jack Ferrante in a 56-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Shibe Park.

Ferrante was born in Camden but raised in South and West Philadelphia. According to many reports, he never played in high school having dropped out in the 10th grade to take a job at a supermarket.

He continued to play sandlot football, however, and was originally drafted by the Eagles in 1941. Oddly enough, he wore No. 83, which years later would be donned by Vince Papale, another homegrown talent who never played college ball.

Ferrante went on to become the football coach at Monsignor Bonner and won the Catholic League and City titles in 1959 and '61.

Mackrides, who played for the University of Nevada before being drafted by the Birds in 1947, turned 90 last month.

Ferrante died in November of 2006 at the age of 90. Both played on the Eagles' 1948 and '49 championship teams.