Night game lights passion in West Philly's Stuckey

DEVANTE STUCKEY was still either 15 or 18 years from being a twinkle in his mother's eyes the last time West Philadelphia High played a nighttime football game.

However, at 6 p.m. today when the Speedboys host rival John Bartram High, Tinisha Stuckey's eyes will beam with pride when she watches her son play high school football for the first time.

"I'm very excited," said Devante, a 6-foot, 255-pound senior offensive and defensive lineman. "My mom, the only time she's seen me play is on YouTube, when our coaches record games. But there's nothing like actually having your mom in the stands rooting you on, man."

When second-year head coach Frank Steed learned the new field at 48th and Spruce Streets would have upgraded lighting, he immediately thought about hosting a night game.

"It can get the community involved, the kids' parents can get involved, everybody can get involved," Steed said. "Our regular games were around 3 p.m. so parents didn't have the opportunity to see their children play [because of work]."

Steed, who also never played at night while a cornerback for University City, said one reason for West's 30-plus year gap was poor lighting.

It's possible that safety was another.

"Now, if something happens in the community with fighting and all of that, for the kids' safety, we'll probably shut it down," said Steed, who recently retired from the Philadelphia Police Department after 24 years. "But, I would rather have night games for the young people that never had a chance to play night games."

Officers will be outside of the field for the event, according to Lt. Kenneth Michvech of the 18th District.

The last confirmed night game at West was Oct. 6, 1978 (University City won, 18-16). Also in that year, Ben Franklin beat West, 6-0, at night on Sept. 28 (both were covered by former Daily News writer Ted Silary).

Via email, former West coach Bill Clausen recalled the lights being turned on at all hours by vandals, who "[jumped] the fuses with coat hangers," during the '78 season. Clausen said the city eventually welded the switches shut. According to Steed, some West alumni maintain Franklin and West met again under the lights in 1981, a season shortened by a teachers' strike.

Whatever the case, the wait is over.

"At practice, oh my God," said Stuckey, who attends Sayre High and lives with his mother on 56th and Walnut Streets. "There's so much enthusiasm. It's high-spirited and intense, not only because of this night game, but the rivalry of playing Bartram. This practice week has been unbelievable. We haven't had practice like this in a long time. The coaches are excited, the alumni are excited, it's just high-energy now. It feels like we're getting ready for the Super Bowl at the high school level, man."