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Amos helps Northeast top rival Central

Jaquan Amos certainly earned the Thanksgiving feast that awaited him at his home in Germantown after the Northeast junior helped the host Vikings conquer rival Central, 48-20.

Northeast's Jaquan Amos (left) outruns Central's Kei-shon Graham.
Northeast's Jaquan Amos (left) outruns Central's Kei-shon Graham.Read more(Avi Steinhardt/ For the Philadelphia Inquirer)

Jaquan Amos certainly earned the Thanksgiving feast that awaited him at his home in Germantown after the Northeast junior helped the host Vikings conquer rival Central, 48-20.

Amos, a 6-foot, 170-pound running back and defensive back, rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns and added two interceptions.

"He's the best player on our team, flat-out," head coach Phil Gormley said. "If there's a better defensive back anywhere in the Public League, and I've seen most in the Catholic League, I haven't seen one. The kid can just flat-out play."

Amos started at quarterback Thursday in the Vikings' single-wing offense because season-long starter Keith Moore was injured.

Both of Amos' interceptions came in a second half in which the Vikings (12-1, 7-0) held the Lancers scoreless after Central (6-6, 5-2) led by 20-18 at halftime.

Northeast, which was walloped, 54-18, last week in the AAAA Public League championship by Simon Gratz, finished the game Thursday with six interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a satisfied alumni base.

"The alumni only care about this," Gormley said. "The one hundred emails I got this last week, not a single one said anything about the championship game. From [former star] Deion Barnes to everybody else, it was just, 'beat Central,' that's all they cared about."

Among those Northeast graduates were a few of Amos' family members.

His brother, Tyrik Clary, graduated in 2008 and played linebacker at Bloomsburg. An uncle, Joseph Graves, also played football for the Vikings.

"This means a lot to our alumni," Amos said. "My brother played here, and my uncle flew in from Atlanta to see this game. It means a lot to us and our alumni."

Josh Lewis, Zack Dorsonne, Nahzir Wilson, and Terrell Sippio each had an interception. Amir Paulk added 27 carries, 120 yards, and two touchdowns.

During Sippio's interception, both he and Amos caught the ball at the same time and then fell to the ground. Sippio, however, ended up with possession.

"I wanted it, I wanted it," Amos said, smiling. "But my friend took it."

After his performance, it's unlikely anyone took away Amos' Thanksgiving dinner.

"I'm going to go home and eat up," he said, grinning. "This game means bragging rights."

Central 7 13 0 0 - 20

Northeast 6 12 14 16 - 48

N: Amir Paulk 2 run (run failed)

C: Blake Schwartz 56 pass (Soosung Whang kick)

N: Jaquan Amos 16 run (run failed)

C: Tyler Spaulding 15 pass from Jeff Coplin (Whang kick)

N: Amos 7 run (run failed)

C: Collin Washington 24 pass from Coplin (kick failed)

N: Amos 3 run (Paulk run)

N: Nahzir Wilson 35 interception return (run failed)

N: Paulk 1 run (Damario White run)

N: Josh Lewis 18 run (Kevin Prosper run)

cartera@phillynews.com

@AceCarterINQ