1970s All-Decade

The Decade That Built the Blueprint

Before the Catholic League arms race, before the big recruiting battles, before anyone was talking about Philly producing first-round picks — there was the 1970s. This was Philly high school football learning what it was.

Al Angelo at Frankford set the standard for what a program could be. He won Public League titles like most coaches won regular season games, and his players showed up on this All-Decade team the way Frankford showed up on the scoreboard — consistently. The Catholic League was just as loaded: O'Hara, St. James, Wood, producing linemen and backs who dominated across a decade when playing Philly football meant something.

Ted Silary's 1970s All-Decade picks included three separate honor designations — Overall, Catholic League, and Inter-Ac — reflecting how seriously he took the complete picture. Darrell Miller out of Frankford took the Overall Player of the Decade honor. Lawrence Reid at Dougherty represented the Catholic League. John Haldeman from Haverford School handled the Inter-Ac.

The three-team format on this one gives you the full depth. First, Second, and Third teams. These weren't throwaway picks. If Ted put your name on a decade team, you earned it.