It’s safe to say that last Sunday was a very important day in the lives of Corey Davis and Raphael Ortiz, two recent graduates of St. Peter’s Prep.
Early Sunday morning, Davis and Ortiz celebrated their commencement exercises at Grand and Warren. They were dressed to the nines in their white tuxedo jackets and black tuxedo pants (a long-time Prep tradition) and patiently awaited the chance to receive their diplomas.
Then, minutes after the ceremonies were completed, there was no time for milling around, posing for pictures and enjoying the festivities. That’s because the two had to rush off to Piscataway and Rutgers Stadium to participate in the Northeast vs. New Jersey All-Star Football Game.
The contest, formerly known as the Governor’s Bowl, pits the best players in the Garden State against an All-Star team from New York, Connecticut and other neighboring states.
“We went straight to Rutgers,” said Davis, who made the team as a cornerback and is headed to James Madison in the fall. “There was no time at all, maybe five minutes at the most.”
Track coach Mike Burgess took the two graduates to a room in the school, where they both discarded their tuxedos and got into football gear. Then head football coach and athletic director Rich Hansen transported the duo to Rutgers, just in time for the game.
“It really was crazy,” said Davis, who was a three-time Hudson Reporter All-Area honoree at defensive back. “It was a real busy day, but it was all worth it.”
Both of the Marauders and Ferris’ standout linebacker Bryant Worts made it to Piscataway in time for the game, which was won by the New Jersey squad, 13-7.
Ortiz, who is headed to William and Mary in the fall, was the starting quarterback for the New Jersey squad. He completed eight of 13 passes for 144 yards, definitely making a solid showing.
Davis was also solid, making a remarkable six tackles from his cornerback position.
“At first, it felt a little different being out there, playing football again,” said Davis, who spent the winter and spring months competing in track and field and helped the Marauders to gain their second straight Penn Relays Carnival plaque in April. “But then, it became a lot of fun. There was a lot of good competition there and it was good to be playing with all the top players in the entire state.”
Davis said that he felt good putting the pads back on and getting into a football frame of mind.
“Right after the first day of practice, I was ready,” Davis said. “It was good for me to be able to judge myself, playing with and against all those great players. I was really getting in there and making plays.”
Worts made three tackles during his time on the field at linebacker. He is headed to Southwest Missouri State on a scholarship in the coming weeks.
Davis said that it was good to play with Ortiz one last time. The pair hooked up several times as quarterback-to-receiver during the last two seasons, especially last season, when both had prominent roles in the Marauders’ offensive attack.
“We were talking about that on the way down, that it was the last time that Ralph and I would play together as teammates,” Davis said. “We had a great four years together and this was a perfect way to end it. I think we represented Prep well. Getting a win also helped.” – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at OGSMAR@aol.com