Imhotep Panther picks a pair for mom

MICHELLE STRAUGHTER didn't make any plays when Imhotep Charter chopped up Mastery North, 50-0, on Saturday night, but she had an impact nonetheless by way of a converstaion with her son, Seiffudin Black.

The 5-10, 181-pound defensive back had two interceptions - his first two this season - and returned both for scores just like he said he would.

"On the way to the game, she told me, 'Seiff, you didn't catch a pick this year, yet,' " Black said, as fans filed out of the Ben Johnston Supersite. "And I told her, 'I got you.' "

The pair, who live in the Northeast along Bridge and Pratt Streets, didn't just talk interceptions. They also talked about leadership, a topic they discuss often.

"And we looked at each other eye to eye, and I felt like we were on the same page," Black continued. "I just took what she told me and brought it on the field and, now, she's sitting up in the stands happy. And I really appreciate her and I love her so much."

Leadership was also the focus of Panthers coach Albie Crosby as he addressed his team after the game. Lapses in attention to detail, not finishing plays with purpose and setting positive examples for teammates were among his chief concerns.

The Panthers (4-1, 2-0) were led by junior Tyliek Raynor's 177 yards on nine carries in the Public League AAA contest. Raynor also scored Imhotep's lone first-quarter tally with a 75-yard dash on fourth-and-5.

The Pumas (2-5, 1-1) countered with a 13-play, 73-yard drive, converting twice on fourth down. However, after Isaiah Tann (99 yards on 12 carries) was stopped at the half-yard line on fourth-and-goal, the Panthers poured it on, scoring 44 points in the second.

In addition to Black's pilfers (75- and 35-yard returns), junior running back Mike Waters added a ground tally, junior tight end Naseir "Pop" Upshur had a 51-yard scoring reception, D.J. Moore had an 8-yard TD reception and sophomore Mike Crawford III added an 83-yard interception return.

The 50-0 victory notwithstanding, Crosby's postgame message was clearly meant to prepare the Panthers for more difficult challenges to come. It's a message Black, a team captain, has heard repeatedly from his mother. (Moore, Shaquille Jones and Andre Dreuitt-Parks are the other captains.)

A 4.0 student as a freshman at Math, Civics and Sciences Charter, Black described himself as an academics-first athlete. He grew up playing Pop Warner football for the Northwest Raiders, but said he stopped in high school because MC&S didn't offer football.

Then, when he transferred to Imhotep as a sophomore, Black said he didn't go out for football because he wanted to first find his academic footing. A 3.7 GPA that year ranked No. 1 in his class, he said. As an encore, he says he repeated both feats as a junior.

"I feel as though I'm academically ready for college or any obstacles that'll be put in front of me," he said. "Anything I struggle in, I try to better myself by taking time on my own. I try not to ask my teachers because at the end of the day when I go off to college I'll have to be independent and self-sufficient."

"You could say my mom taught me that because she always wants me to be successful. My mom's been raising me my whole life [on her own], so she put me in a great position and I thank her for that."

Via phone yesterday, Straughter provided some insight.

"I've encouraged my kids to always be positive people when they leave the front door," she said, "because not only do you represent the school and yourself, you're representing me and your siblings, as well."

Black's younger brother, Amin, is a sophomore linebacker at Imhotep.

As for college, Black said he would "love" to attend Villanova. He's interested in studying business management and also enjoys writing. Members of the Wildcats' coaching staff, Black said, have expressed interest. So have coaches from Delaware, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Coastal Carolina, Army and others.

Whatever path he chooses, Black hopes he's headed in a direction others can follow.

"I just want people to know that if you want to be successful academically and athletically, you have to be dedicated," he said. "Academically, you have to take time out of your day to grasp what you don't know, because at the end of the day, you always have time. Athletically, you have to buy in, show up, work hard and play hard. There's nothing else to it, nothing else."