Danny Scott, Northeast run past Simon Gratz

Northeast's Danny Scott does not let his 5-foot-5, 180-pound frame keep him from being a dangerous and efficient ball carrier.

"Tall defenders don't want to come down to my level," the senior captain said. "And when they do come down to my level, I use my speed and power to get past them."

Scott carried 31 times for 119 yards and a score as the visiting Vikings easily downed Simon Gratz, 33-18, Friday night in a Public League Independence Division matchup at Marcus Foster Memorial Stadium.

With its trademark single wing scheme, Northeast totaled 274 rushing yards on 61 attempts.

Also in the mix for Phil Gormley's run-heavy squad are Ubayd Steed, Saleem Thompson, Carlos Davila, Jaye McNeil, and Kyle Morasch. "We have a lot of good options," Scott said.

Thomson scored on runs of 5 and 3 yards, and Morasch burst through the middle for a 5-yard tally to give the Vikings (2-2 overall, 2-1 division) a 20-0 advantage late in the second quarter.

The lone first-half highlight for the struggling Bulldogs (4-2, 1-2) was Amir Gillis' 10-yard TD pass to Maurice Mazzccua just before the break. The hosts coughed the ball up twice in the first quarter.

Gratz cut the gap to 20-12 early in the fourth when Gillis, who connected on 11 of 20 passes for 235 yards, found Jordan Mariney on a 17-yard, left-side fade.

Northeast responded with a 10-play, 67-yard drive that was capped by Thompson's 20-yard dart.

The Vikings' imposing offensive line featured center Dore Gilyard, guards Ormond Isom and Vince Beverly, tackles Charles Broadway, Aziz Kaba and Jeremy Wertz, and tight end Deshawn McCarthy.

In his first year at Northeast, Scott was slowed by a hip injury. His next was cut short by a broken collarbone,

The 17-year said he was able to persevere and become an impact players last season because of the support he received from his parents, Frederick and Sherry. He has a tattoo of his mother's name on his left forearm.

"They believed the whole time I could make it back and contribute to this team," Scott said. "I can't say enough about them."

Scott capped the scoring with a 5-yard run in the closing minutes. He said he is considering  Kutztown and Morgan State, among others, for college.

The Vikings held the Bulldogs to minus-30 yards rushing on 11 tries. The charge was led by end Marcus Hayles (2 1/2 sacks) and linebackers Morasch and Marlon White (two sacks).

For the season, Gillis, who doubles as a free safety and has committed to Temple, has completed 69 of 121 passes for 1,271 yards and 14 TDs.

Northeast will visit Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in a nonleague contest next Friday at 3:30 p.m. Gratz will continue league play when it hosts Central at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Northeast             7    13   0   13  – 33

Simon Gratz        0    6    0   12   – 18

NE: Ubayd Steed 5 run (Andre Cunha kick)

NE: Steed 5 run (Cunha kick)

NE: Kyle Morasch 5 run (kick failed)

SG: Maurice Mazzccua 10 pass from Amir Gillis (kick failed)

SG: Jordan Mariney 17 pass from Gillis (run failed)

NE: Sameen Thompson 20 run (Cunha kick)

SG: Mazzccua 81 pass from Gillis (run failed)

NE: Danny Scott 5 run (kick failed)