Ace Carter's City Player of the Week: Lincoln's Sammy Karr

When I arrived Tuesday afternoon just before Lincoln's practice, senior running back Sammy Karr was already working out.

FREE: For MORE videos, subscribe to Ace Carter Sports on YouTube

After his record-breaking Public League performance last week, you might think the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder would have taken some time to relax.

A classmate's car, however, had broken down near an exit in the school's parking lot, so Karr and a few teammates pushed it back into a parking space.

The effort alone was worthy of Player of the Week consideration, if Karr hadn't already posted a 418-yard, seven-touchdown effort on 21 carries.

"I just played every drive (the same) and whatever was open," Karr said, "I took it."

He also took my latest City Player of the Week (Catholic, Public and Inter-Ac leagues).

Karr's effort in the Railsplitters' 48-22 victory against host Washington bested the 337 yards posted by Bartram's Paul Northern in 1995, according to TedSilary.com, which also watched film of the game and added 2 yards to the 416 compiled by Lincoln's coaching staff.

Karr is now also No. 2 in the city single-game record book, behind only Germantown Academy's Reed Marko, who had 453 yards in 2007.

Lincoln's previous school best was held by Marc Foster, who rushed for 243 yards in 1984.

And, Karr said, coaches took him out with about nine minutes remaining and Lincoln (3-4) ahead comfortably.

Lincoln sprinted to an early 22-8 edge before the Eagles (2-5) tied the game at 22. Karr, who also plays linebacker, eventually forced a fumble, resulting in a touchback, and then promptly added an 80-yard touchdown. His final bounty included 158 yards and three scores on 15 carries in the first half. He then added 260 yards and four more scores on just six second-half attempts. His second-half scores came from 15, 80, 55 and 50 yards; his first-half tallies were from 1, 10 and 33 yards.

"I was excited, but at the same time, I had to keep my composure," Karr said. "Had to keep staying focused."

Expect that focus to remain, and for college eyeballs to follow.

"Just gotta keep working," said Karr, who hasn't heard from college coaches yet. "I don't feel as though I'm done yet. I still have more to accomplish. I'll congratulate myself, but then I'll keep working hard. You can't let too much of it get to you because it will consume you."

That is uncommon perspective for a high school athlete. When asked, Karr gave a glimpse into where it comes from.

"To be honest, when I see some rappers and some athletes are humble, it just motivates me to be humble," he said. "There's no point in showboating because people can showboat and the next day they can lose it all. I just feel like I need to be humble about everything I do and everything I accomplish. Then one day when I really make it, I can congratulate myself and still be humble at the same time."

Conwell-Egan senior Patrick Garwo rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in the Eagles' win against Bishop McDevitt.

Five-foot-7, 166-pound junior Jacir Savoy had 39 carries, 171 yards and two touchdowns in West Catholic's win against Germantown Academy.

Cardinal O'Hara senior Nick Kutufaris had 129 yards and a score on 15 carries in a victory against Lansdale Catholic.

DeeWil Barlee, a junior running back, had 130 yards and three scores on 19 carries in a losing effort for Episcopal.

Malvern Prep junior Quincy Watson caught 3 passes for 110 yards in a losing effort for the Friars.

*Coaches, want to nominate a player? Email cartera@phillynews.com by the end of Sunday each week with your player's name, height, weight, grade and stats from that week or why they should be considered. Coaches' submissions only.*