Spring practice is a time when college football players get a chance to get in shape and prepare for the upcoming season. Temple held its annual Cherry & White Game at Lincoln Financial Field last Saturday and backup quarterback Clinton “Juice” Granger had an opportunity to showcase his talents.

Granger, former George Washington High star, completed 14-of-20 passes for 125 yards and one interception. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior, displayed some good mobility in the pocket and did a nice job of throwing on the run as the Cherry nipped the White, 17-10. Granger feels pretty good about what he’s been able to do this spring.

“I was able to get a knowledge of the plays,” Granger said. “They put a lot in and I wanted to master the plays. I just wanted to learn the playbook. I feel good about my ability just knowing what I have to do.”

Chris Coyer is the Owls starting quarterback. Coyer helped Temple finish with a 9-4 overall and 5-3 record in MAC play following a 37-15 win over Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl. The ex-Public League standout gives the Owls good depth at quarterback.

Granger displayed flashes of his playing days at George Washington High in the spring game. He was a big time player in the Public League. He led GW to the 2007 league championship.

“My game has grown a lot,” Granger said. “I’m more mature. I know the position more. I’m studying film more. The game is slowing down for me. It’s a growing process.”

After his scholastic career, he played at Pierce College, a junior college in Los Angeles. In 2010, he threw for 1,176 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 200 yards and tallying five TDs in seven games.

Granger is one of three players from GW on the Temple football roster. The others include wide receiver Daquan Cooper and linebacker Brandon Chudnoff. They all played for head coach Ron Cohen.

“It feels good,” Granger said. “It feels like I’m home with all these guys. I had family, friends and coaches. It’s a good atmosphere. It’s good to be back in Philly.”

Granger isn’t the only GW quarterback playing college football. Aaron Wilmer is a major star at QB for Delaware Valley College. Wilmer led GW to the 2008 Public and city championship.

“He had a big year,” Granger said. “He had an explosive, exciting year. It was something that I knew he was capable of doing. When I actually signed with Temple, he gave me a call. That was good because he supports me and I support him.”

Temple will be playing in the Big East Conference this season. The Owls will open the season with cross-town rival Villanova in the fourth annual Mayor’s Cup on Aug. 31 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Delaware Valley College has one of the best football teams in Division III. The Aggies are ranked 10th in the American Football Coaches Association Division III Coaches’ Poll. A big reason for the high ranking has been the play of Aaron Wilmer, the Aggies quarterback.

Wilmer, a George Washington High product, has played some terrific football this season. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound freshman, has guided the Aggies to a 7-0 record overall and a 4-0 mark in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). In last week’s 14-6 victory against Wilkes University, Wilmer completed 12-of-24 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown. He also had six carries for 41 yards.

The former Public League standout has completed 85-of-144 passes for 1,266 yards, 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions this season. Wilmer has a strong arm and quick feet, and knows how to make big plays.

“We have a great team,” Wilmer said. “My teammates have really helped me. I just try to do whatever I can to help the team win. We’ve been playing some good football this season. We want to keep it up. It’s nice to be ranked nationally, too. Our school is getting some good recognition.”

Wilmer knows a little something about playing on winning teams. He led George Washington to a league championship and a city championship as a junior. In his senior year, he helped the Eagles win a league crown and play for the city title before losing to La Salle. GW has been one of the most prolific schools in the city.

“We have a lot of guys playing college football,” Wilmer said. “Sharrif Floyd is playing for Florida. It was great playing with him in high school. I know Daquan Cooper and Brandon Chudnoff are playing for Temple. Clinton Granger is at Temple, too. Coach (Ron) Cohen does a great job with the program. The school has been very successful.

“The experience has really helped me at Delaware Valley College. We have a good program here as well. They’ve won a lot of games over the years. We’re doing well this year.”

Delaware Valley College is located in Doylestown (Bucks County). Wilmer’s family usually comes to every game.

“I get a lot of support from my family,” Wilmer said. “We live in Northeast Philly. They look forward to coming out to the games. It’s not too far from the school. So, they make it out to just about every game. We have a great atmosphere at Delaware Valley College. The fans really come out to the games. They even travel to some of our away games. It’s a great place for me.”

Wilmer will attempt to keep the Aggies’ undefeated record intact when they go on the road to play Albright College on Saturday, October 15.

“Every week is a challenge,” he said. “We have some good teams in the MAC. We do a good job of preparing for each game. That’s been a big help to us.”  

Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

In a battle of two of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Lincoln University will face Cheyney University at Liacouras Center on Friday night, November 18. The women will play at 6 p.m. The men will tipoff at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $20.00 for general admission. Students (with ID) pay $10.00.

Tim Hume: PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year

Tim Hume, Cheyney University defensive end, was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Defensive Player of the Year by the league coaches. Hume led the conference in tackles for loss with 21.5 and led the Wolves with 6.5 sacks. He also had 62 tackles. Hue ranked sixth in the nation in tackles for loss at 1.95 a game. The award is Hume’s third all-conference honor.

Marcus Jones and Stan Banks were named to the second team. Jones led Cheyney in rushing with 605 yards on 112 carries. He averaged 5.4 yards a carry. He scored three touchdowns.

Banks, Wolves defensive back, made his first appearance on the all-conference team. The senior cornerback led Cheyney with three interceptions. He had four pass breakups and seven passes defended. He had 34 tackles in 11 games.

Washington’s Wilmer leads Del. Valley to Division III playoffs

Aaron Wilmer, former George Washington High football star, will lead Delaware Valley College against Norwich University in the first round of the Division III playoffs. The game will be played on Saturday, November 19 at Robert A. Lipinski Field at James Work Memorial Stadium in Doylestown. The kickoff will be at noon.

Wilmer has been a sensational player for No. 11 ranked Delaware Valley College (10-0). The freshman quarterback has completed 147 of 254 passes for 2,281 yards and 21 touchdowns. He had just six interceptions. Wilmer gained 168 yards while scoring four TDs.

Temple to host Army at Lincoln Financial Field

Temple will play host to Army on Saturday, November 19 at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. In honor of Military Appreciation Day, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will be collecting toys before the game. Fans may donate new, unwrapped toys to Toys for Tots at the stadium gates from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The Toys for Tots Program collects and distributes toys as gifs to needy children in the community during the holiday season.

The game will be on ESPN3.

Contact Tribune staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .