Strawberry Mansion High School plays first ever home football game

NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The brand new Strawberry Mansion High School Knights played their first ever home game Saturday at Chalmers Park in North Philadelphia.

It's such a big deal, you can consider it a piece of high school football history.

"For 50 years this community has wanted this football team. Just to have my students come, compete, be professional and play the game the best they know how - it's surreal. It's a wonderful feeling," said Linda Cliattwayman, principal.

The Knights took on the Lions from the KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy and played their hearts out but it wasn't always pretty.

"Some of these guys, it's their first time ever playing football, putting on pads. So they're doing pretty good," said Karon Hill.

"This is the first home varsity game. We have the boys out here laying the foundation for the house that we're trying to build," said Steven Quigley, head coach.

That's not lost on some of the older players.

"I'm a senior so I'll be gone, but I'll make sure people that's still gonna be here a couple years later, I'm gonna get them right, so four years later when I come back from college, they're gonna be like, 'Yeah, Mansion!' They'll be one of the top schools in Pennsylvania," said Jyquan Owens, player.

Strawberry Mansion is a tough school in a poor neighborhood. However the scrappy kids in the new red uniforms are giving everyone something to cheer for.

"Mansion has a bad reputation for itself so this gives the community a bright spot," said Louis Stratton.

Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke graduated from Strawberry Mansion. He was also on hand at Saturday's game.

"This is awesome. I love it. People are having a good time, it's all about Strawberry Mansion today," said Councilman Clarke.

The Knights scored their second touchdown on a dynamic running play in the second half, but it wasn't enough and they lost 20-12.

It may take time to build the program but the feeling here is there's no doubt that Strawberry Mansion's first football team are already winners.