Another Mamula, this one at Episcopal Academy, causing havoc on gridiron

Maybe the play will still be added to Milton Mamula's highlight tape.

The Episcopal Academy senior with the familiar last name sacked and stripped Germantown Academy's quarterback early in the fourth quarter, scooped up the ball, and ran about 60 yards for an apparent touchdown.

However, the sensational effort was negated by a holding call on the return.

"It would have been great to score there," Mamula said, "but it is what it is."

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder registered three sacks as the visiting Churchmen silenced the Patriots, 18-0, in Saturday afternoon's Inter-Ac League contest in Fort Washington.

Yes, Milton Mamula is the son of Mike Mamula and plays defensive end, the same position his father played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995 to 2000.

The Eagles selected Mamula with the No. 7 overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft. A scouting-combine phenom from Boston College, he collected 31.5 sacks in five seasons, missing the 1998 campaign with a knee injury.

"People recognize my last name, of course, but I don't really let it affect me," Milton Mamula said. "I'm not my dad. I'm just going to play the way I play."

Mike and Chantal Mamula were on hand Saturday at Carey Stadium to see their son notch seven tackles, including five solos. Milton's twin sister, Luca, plays basketball at Episcopal.

Mamula, who bears a striking resemblance to his father, posted four sacks in a 21-7 triumph at Springfield Chestnut Hill Academy two weeks ago.

"He's totally committed to getting better on every play," Episcopal coach Todd Fairlie said. "He's been working his butt off in the weight room."

Mamula was slowed in his first two years at the Newtown Square school by fractures in the two lowest vertebrae of his lumbar spine. He sat out the first five games last season due to a broken left foot.

"It was very frustrating," he said. "What it made me realize is that I have to take physical therapy seriously if I get injured, and stick with it 100 percent."

Mamula sacked GA's Colton Niedzielski, who left in the second quarter with an injury, twice in the first half. Through eight games, he has 15.5 sacks.

Of his impressive comeback from multiple injuries, Fairlie said, "It says a lot about his character and his ability to stay focused and engaged."

Mamula and the Churchmen (5-3, 2-1 Inter-Ac) limited the Patriots (4-4, 1-2) to 84 rushing yards on 30 attempts and 48 passing.

Episcopal running back DeeWil Barlee (15 carries for 119 yards and a score) and QB Marcus McDaniel (56-yard TD run) sat out the second half due to injuries. While filling in for McDaniel, Adam Robinson rushed 18 times for 127 yards.

Mamula has scholarship offers from Bryant, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis (Pa.). Jim Harbaugh recently gave him the chance to be a preferred walk-on at Michigan.

What advice does he get from his father about being a hard-charging end? "The thing he says most often is, 'Don't think. Just run to the ball and make plays,' " he said.

Episcopal Academy 12 3 3 0-18

Germantown Academy 0 0 0 0-0

EA: DeeWil Barlee 5 run (kick failed)

EA: Marcus McDaniel 56 run (pass failed)

EA: FG James Silvi 26

EA: FG Silvi 43