Mickens does his job for Overbrook

FROM A DISTANCE it resembled a scene from a movie. In one end zone was a victorious Overbrook squad hoisting its unlikely star in the air, while a feisty Murrell Dobbins Tech could only watch with disappointment.

The implications conjured up even more Hollywood, as Overbrook's 16-14 win yesterday at 29th and Chalmers ensured it a spot in the Public League Class AAA playoffs.

In the center of it all was the Panthers' 5-6, 136-pound junior Nasir Mickens, who authored a game-changing second half when he entered off the bench at quarterback.

He wasn't surprised by his performance, but he knows someone who might be.

"My mom always told me, 'Nasir, why don't you just get a job?' "said the 17-year-old Mickens. "I told her, 'Mom, football is my job.' "

For his performance appraisal, his teammates lifted him in air and let him soak in the glory.

"When that feeling came when they lifted me up," he said with a near sideline-to-sideline grin, "that was my first time ever getting lifted up. I played Pop Warner, but I wasn't that good."

Mickens, who lives in West Philadelphia, played junior varsity last season, and earned a few carries this season but never rushed more than eight times and never gained more than 42 yards.

With the playoffs on the line and Overbrook (5-4, 5-3 PL AAA) trailing Dobbins, 6-0, at halftime, Mickens entered at quarterback and finished the game with 15 carries for 76 yards and the game-tying touchdown with 4:32 remaining.

Maurice Jarmon, a 5-8, 153-pound senior, added the two-point conversion that gave the Panthers the lead for good and sent them to the playoffs.

"We have to keep winning," Mickens said of the postseason berth. "We have to keep pushing ourselves to develop. And I believe in my team. I believe in us."

Overbrook's offense fell stagnant in the first half with possessions that resulted in three punts and a turnover on downs.

Meanwhile, the scrappy Mustangs (2-7, 2-6 in PL AAA) nabbed the lead on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Diamir Copes to Johnathan Young for the senior's second catch of the season and first touchdown.

In response, Overbrook head coach Rendell Ivory went with Mickens for a change-of-pace spark. Ivory said Mickens had been running hard all season and earned a shot.

"He gave me a chance," Mickens said. "Right after halftime started he threw me in there and I knew what to do."

Mickens led the team on a 12-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a rushing score by senior Takieyn Harris, who started at QB. Mickens rushed nine times on the drive for 52 yards.

"A lot of people say I'm too short," Mickens said as he pounded his chest. "This. My heart. I'm lionhearted. I can do anything."

After Copes gave Dobbins a late 14-8 lead with a QB sneak, Mickens' size helped tie the game as he converted his own sneaky touchdown by diving headfirst underneath a mass of bigger bodies.

Ukpong Bassey intercepted Copes with about a minute remaining to seal the deal for the Panthers.

Mickens, who said immaturity got him bounced from Boys' Latin and safety concerns made him flee Gratz, said he's making the most of his opportunity at Overbrook.

"Since then, I woke up," he said. "I really woke up. I said I really have talent!"

His mother, Tiffany Alderman, 34, is also an Overbrook product and, Nasir said, will be happy to hear of his athletic exploits.

So, what's the first thing he'll say when he bounds into their home near 60th and Ludlow streets?

"Mom, I can play football!"