Speedboys are stars under the lights

JARVIS "P.J." Cooper wasn't even on West Philadelphia High coach Frank Steed's radar, let alone his roster before summer conditioning began in June.

Cooper, who played as a senior for Frankford last season, was finished with football. That was until he came to summer conditioning with the Speedboys and asked Steed to take a chance on him.

Last night, Cooper repaid the favor, scoring both of West Philly's touchdowns en route to a thrilling 12-8 nonleague triumph against Bartram under the lights at 48th and Spruce streets.

The game was the first night game hosted by West in 30-plus years (last confirmed in 1978, possibly another in 1981, a season shortened by a teachers strike). And the theatrics certainly matched the moment.

After the Braves (1-1) went ahead, 8-6, on a 40-yard pass from senior quarterback Ernest Mulbah to fellow senior Ta-Shawn Stringfield (six catches, 113 yards, TD), the crowd at West saw its chances dwindling into the night.

That is until senior QB Lavelle Harper connected with Cooper for the 33-yard go-ahead score with 4 minutes, 21 seconds left.

"When we got in the huddle, he said, 'P.J., we're going Gator right and it's coming to you,' " Cooper explained. "The most I could say is, 'I got you.' That's all I could say."

Cooper also scored the game's first points with a 16-yard third-quarter burst. That score was set up by senior defensive end Mustafa Owens (10 tackles, sack), who forced a Braves fumble in their own territory.

Senior linebacker Rahkeen Rowe (10 tackles) also wreaked havoc for the Speedboys (2-0, AAA). Also big was senior end Teair Tart-Spencer, who succumbed to cramps late in the game, perhaps the result of chasing Bartram's Answered Gleplay, who rushed for 97 yards on 15 carries.

Bartram (AAAA Liberty) responded by gang tackling senior back Justin Hamilton in the end zone for a safety, which was followed by the Mulbah-to-Stringfield touchdown. Mulbah finished 11-for-21 for 139 yards and a score.

Ah, but Cooper had come too far to lose this game.

"I don't want to lose this one," he told teammates on the sidelines. "I told y'all, I got you, I got you!"

Steed said that type of leadership was typical of Cooper, who bonded quickly with teammates, a skill he likely developed from his school-to-school travels.

"He's been a model football player," Steed said. "Instant leader. He brings something to the table that some of these kids have never seen."

Cooper attended Del-Val Charter as a freshman, Glen Mills as a sophomore, Frankford as a junior (also Glen Mills) and Frankford as a senior. He currently attends the Excel Academy on 26th and Jefferson.

Steed helped Cooper petition the powers that be for a fifth year of eligibility based on various hardships.

Cooper, who now lives with his mother and assorted family at 54th and Chancellor streets, also lived for a time in Frankford with his father, Jarvis Cooper Sr., who is hearing impaired.

"My dad is a great man," said Cooper, who knows sign language. "He did the best he could and I respect him for that. There's nothing more I could [ask]. He gave me his all."

That's what Cooper gave his new team, making memories - with several West alumni in attendance - that will last for years to come.

"It's a blessing," Cooper said. "This night game, we made history. We haven't had a night game in years, so we basically made history, and it feels good that I'm a part of a team that made this history."