The LaSalle Explorers look to provide plenty of offensive fireworks this season as evidenced by their 41-28 win over last year’s Eastern Pa AAAAAA semi finalist North Penn in front of a spirited crowd at Crawford Stadium in Lansdale last evening
Explorer quarterback Isaiah Jones, back from missing last year with a torn MCL showed that he will be a dangerous dual threat weapon with his arm and feet while using coordinator Brett Gordon’s vast experience for putting players in the right position to make plays.
This LaSalle team appears to be one where points can come quick and at any time. After a quiet 1st quarter the Explorers piled three quick TD’s in the 2nd with Manny Quiles 1 yard jaunt. Up 14- 0, Frank Joyce picked off Steve DePaul’s pass and went up 21-0 followed by another Quiles touchdown.
North Penn showed resiliency by scoring TD’s on three consecutive possessions after being down by 28 in the second half. However the Explorers put the clamps on with quick TD’s on passes from Jones to Brett Mallee and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Next up for LaSalle is a trip to Maryland vs. McDonogh School while the Knights play their next three on the road vs, Downingtown East, Pennsbury and Central Bucks West.
Quick Hits: Jones showed very good balance and hips during many of his runs. He is getting strong interest from Villanova and Holy Cross. He ran for over 100 yards in the first half alone on option plays both between the tackles and outside. Henley was all over the field for North Penn starting at QB then making a sensational 75 yard catch and run in the 3rd quarter. He also wrestled a TD pass off Explorer Owen Pighini. Jamal Khan, Xzavier Gorski, Owen Thomas, Jon Haynes and Henley will be provide a strong skill set for coach Dick Beck the rest of the season. LaSalle’s OLine consisting of Dan Kuznetsov, Colin Hirschmann, Brendan O”Brien, Chris Maloney and Garret Zobel did a sensational job in pass blocking and run technique opening holes for Jones and Quiles to run through. Their play will be a huge factor in how the Explorer coach John Steinmetz’s offense will go this year. Knight QB DePaul (Norristown HS transfer) has a strong arm and should flourish with the bevy of receivers at his disposal. LaSalle had scoring drives of 4, 5, 7, 2 and 3 plays. LaSalle’s Liam Trainer had a huge hit to close the first half on Knight receiver Haynes. Explorer kicker Dan Karrash put two kickoffs in the endzone. Mallee looks (to this reporter) to have the physical makeup of ex dynamic receiver Sean Coleman. LaSalle was designated as the home team although playing away.
Scoring By Quarter
1st Quarter
No Scoring
2nd Quarter
LS-Manny Quiles 1 run (Dan Karrash kick) : 9:27
LS- Isaiah Jones 3 run (kick blocked) : 3:18
LS: Quiles 3 run (Troy Holland pass from Jones) : 46
3rd Quarter
LS- Quiles 1 run (Karrash kick) : 8:48
NP: Xzavier Gorski 17 run (Kick Failed) : 7:04
NP: Khan Jamal 1 run (Owen Thomas pass from Steve DePaul) : 3:24
4th Quarter
NP: Justis Henley 17 pass from DePaul (Kelly Macnamara kick) : 10:44
LS: Marvin Harrison Jr. 27 pass from Jones (Karrash kick) : 6:46
LS: Brett Mallee 1 pass from Jones (kick blocked) : 5:29
NP: Shamar Edwards 8 pass from DePaul Macnamara kick : 1:12
One Response
Nice write up. Awesome seeing you before the game Armand. Should be a fun year for Chris Jr and his Teamates. Hopefully see you again at another game