Prep rolls to district title

John Reid relied on crutches to cross the Northeast High football field after St. Joseph's Prep's 47-22 district-title win over Ben Franklin. He was trying his best to joined his teammates, who were lined up on the goal line.

Coach Gabe Infante told the Hawks he was waiting for the injured Reid before delivering a postgame speech. Reid arrived, the players cheered, and Infante handed him the District 12 Class AAAA championship trophy.

It was the team's second straight district title, sending the Hawks to the PIAA state playoffs. But Saturday's joy was hampered by Reid's injury just before halftime.

The Penn State-bound senior caught a 16-yard pass and screamed after being tackled to the turf. The training staff rushed to his aid and nursed an apparent left-knee injury.

Infante said at halftime that he could not comment on injuries to minors. Reid was instructed not to comment after the game.

"It really hurts. That's like my brother," senior running back James Bell said. "He should be fine. He's a warrior."

Rivals.com ranks Reid as a four-star recruit and the state's best player in the Class of 2015. A receiver and defensive back, he committed to Penn State in August, choosing the Nittany Lions over Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame, and others. The injury, even if it is serious, likely will not affect his scholarship offer.

Reid was electric in the first half. He caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Jack Clements with 8 minutes, 42 seconds left in the second quarter. The score was Prep's first play from scrimmage after Franklin threw an interception. It seemed to thwart any idea that Saturday would bring an upset.

Later in the quarter, Reid hauled in an interception that bounced off a receiver's chest. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder cruised down the sidelines for a 17-yard touchdown.

Reid was helped off the field after the injury by coaches and trainers. When the clock ran out on the first half, Reid was given crutches to walk to the locker room. He used them for about 20 feet, but was unable to go further. Two Prep linemen - Shane Davis and Taron Hampton - lifted Reid and carried him to the locker room.

Hampton, a sophomore, said Reid is tough and will be fine. He and Davis wanted to support their brother, Hampton said.

"This program is all about family," Davis said. "It's about the people that matter, which is us. It's always about us."

Ben Franklin 6 0 0 16 - 22

St. Joseph's Prep 14 26 7 0 - 47

SJP: D'Andre Swift 15 run (Bill Nick kick)

BF: Macho Rodriguez 31 pass from Kevin Caldwell (kick failed)

SJP: Swift 45 run (Nick kick)

SJP: John Reid 43 pass from Jack Clements (kick failed)

SJP: Swift 15 run (pass failed)

SJP: Reid 25 with interception (Nick kick)

SJP: Olamide Zaccheaus 1 run (Nick kick)

SJP: Kevin Shaw 1 run (Nick kick)

BF: Javier Buffalo 18 pass from Caldwell (Rodriguez pass from Caldwell)

BF: Rodriguez 66 pass from Caldwell (Qiyaam Edgefield run)