SCH's Dooley shows he can play in a big way

IT WAS THE type of pass that made members of the chain crew shake their heads and whistle under their breath - a throw simultaneously exhibiting arm strength and accuracy.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's senior quarterback Paul Dooley, who has yet to receive a scholarship offer, dropped back near the Central High 32-yard line and whipped a line drive into the end zone.

On the receiving end was junior wideout Jordan Johnson, who found himself in a catch-it-or-be-impaled-by-it situation.

"It feels awesome, just knowing you can put it right in your receiver's facemask and let him walk it into the end zone," Dooley said. "It had to be a quick ball, and I did what I had to do."

The toss came just before the half and was the Blue Devils' final tally in a 35-14 conquest of the visiting Lancers, who eventually mustered two, fourth-quarter scores.

Dooley's line on Saturday: 9-for-10 for 182 yards and three touchdowns (he also ran for one). Not bad for the owner of the city's all-time passing yardage mark (498), which he set in last year's finale against Malvern. The Friars won, 63-50, but Dooley also tied the city record for TD tosses with seven.

So, with the accolades, arm strength and accuracy, why does Dooley have zero offers? Possibly because the 6-foot, 200-pounder lacks the size colleges covet.

"Yeah, it motivates me," he said. "I play with a chip on my shoulder all the time, like I'm always playing under the radar. But if I had a few more inches, I'd be going somewhere definitely. But, the game's changing for the good for my height, so I'm using it to my advantage."

Referencing shorter NFL QBs Drew Brees (6-foot) and Russell Wilson (5-11), Dooley said what matters most is his passion and determination, not his size.

Saturday wasn't exactly the best case study.

Central (0-2) struggled on both sides, especially without injured starting junior QB Jeffrey Coplin. Senior running back Jeremiah Watson finished with 66 yards on 17 carries. Junior Naseer Basil and freshman Kei-Shon Graham added the late touchdowns.

The Blue Devils (2-0) dropped 28 second-quarter points behind 65- and 13-yard TD tosses from Dooley to senior Dylan Parsons (five catches for 111). Impressive sophomore running back Syaire Madden (12 carries for 96 yards) also added a 25-yard score before Johnson's 29-yard reception.

On the season, Dooley, a Fox Chase resident (Verree Road and Rhawn Street), is 20-for-26 with 339 yards and three scores - but still no offers.

This summer, he felt one was imminent from the University of Pittsburgh, which ironically got Malvern QB Alex Hornibrook, a 6-4, 212-pound senior, to commit later. Dooley said they attended Pitt and Lafayette camps together.

"I was definitely looking forward to getting my first offer from Pitt," Dooley said when asked if the disappointment fueled him. "It was definitely a sour taste in my mouth, but it just motivated me for this season, and I can't wait to play Malvern."

Now, before material starts flying up on Friar bulletin boards, Dooley also expressed respect for Malvern and Hornibrook.

"He's definitely a good quarterback," said Dooley, a first-team all-league coaches' selection at QB last year. "This summer, he was working really, really hard at the camps, and I think he threw for [271 yards and four TDs] 2 weeks ago, so he's definitely a good quarterback."

The Blue Devils and Friars will have to wait until the league's final week, when they'll meet at SCH, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.

When Dooley (31-for-43) tied the city TD record against Malvern last season, Hornibrook went 1-for-4 with 49 yards and a TD. However, the Friars rode senior running back Troy Gallen (Delaware), who rushed for 333 yards and six scores. In two games so far, Hornibrook has 462 passing yards and eight scores.

Dooley, who was also an all-league linebacker as a sophomore, said Delaware, Towson, Richmond, Temple and Ohio have also shown interest. He's a 2.9-GPA student with an aptitude for drawing and an interest in architecture.

"It's just something in my downtime," he said. " . . . I like sitting down and drawing. It's relaxing and soothing."

He draws mostly buildings, but also football players - including himself - making plays. Maybe Jordan Johnson will be his next masterpiece.

"His arm strength is great," Johnson said. "He can get it to me 60 yards, if need be. And his accuracy is also good. He could hit an apple off of my head if he wanted to."

They've never tried it, but . . .

"It's something we could test out at practice," Johnson said.

A savvy receiver currying favor, or, does Johnson really trust Dooley that much?

"Yeah, I do," he laughed, adding that he'd go helmet-less for the trick.

Just the drawing should suffice, fellas.