PHILADELPHIA: The last time the La Salle Explorers won back to back Philadelphia Catholic League Championships was the 95-96 seasons when Brett Gordon was the Quarterback and now a days Brett Gordon is on the sideline serving as the Offensive Coordinator to his dad Drew. While Brett was winning championships the current Explorer QB Drew Loughery was watching him has a little kid. Heading into Friday Night Philadelphia Catholic League AAAA Championship against Archrival St Joseph Prep Loughery knew what was at stake and he respond with a season high 298 yards on 20 of 31 passing for four touchdown as the Explorers posted a come from behind 35-28 victory in front of a capacity crowd at Northeast High’s Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium. “It means a lot to me when my dad started taking me to games I never thought I could win two championships.” With the victory Loughery upped his record against the Hawks to 3-1 when asked about that Loughery responded “Growing up it always seemed like St Joes had the best guys and come to in and start new name for LaSalle is a huge deal for me.”
Despite driving down to the Hawks 34 yard line on the opening drive of the game didn’t start out as planed for the Explorers has Loughery was intercepted by Steve O’Hara to set up a Prep scoring drive that cover 68 yards on four plays before Skyler Mornhingweg who is the son of Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator Marty connected with Colin Rodgers for a 22 yard touchdown to put the Hawks up by 7 with 7:45 left in the opening quarter.
The Explorers would respond on there ensuing drive that went 74 yards on 12 plays in which they were giving a second chance after Desmond Peoples muffed a punt at the Hawks 35. Shane Brady would recover the muff and 8 plays later Jamal Abdur-Rahman would tied things up with his one yard plunge.
The Hawks would respond on their ensuing drive by going 72 yards on eight plays including a 23 yard run by Mornhinweg to put the Hawks at the Explorer 38 yard line. It would be Mike Labor that gave the Hawks the lead with his 6-yard plunge.
Back came the Explorers on their ensuing drive that covered 68 yards on eight plays thanks in large part to the arm of Loughery. Loughery would connect with Abdur-Rahman for a 23 yard strike tying things up at 14.
On the next Explorer drive the Explorers would take there first lead of the game by going 74 yards on ten plays before Loughery threw an beautiful fade pattern to Sam Feleccia for a 16 yard strike. Mike Bennett’s extra point attempt would be blocked by Jeff Heath making the Explorer lead 20-14 heading into the locker room at half.
The Hawks would come back after their first three possessions of the second half produced a three-and out, a fumble lost and a interception by Vince Migliarese. On the Hawks fourth possession of the second half when they would need only three plays to take advantage of a Loughery fumble at the Explorer 14 yard line. Mornhingweg would connect with Desmond Peoples for 12 yard touchdown and with the extra point the Hawks would take the 21-20 lead. Mornhingweg would finish the game with 151 yards passing.
The Explorers came back on the arm of Loughery has he accounted for 71 of the 76 yards through the air that Explorers needed including the seven yard touchdown strike to Connor Hoffman on the first play of the fourth quarter. Loughery would connect with Abdur-Rahman for the two point conversion to tie game at 28.
On their ensuing drive the Explorers would take the lead for good by going 53 yards on three plays with the capper coming compliments to of a Loughery pass to Kevin Forster for 37 yards that put the Explorers up 35-28. After the game Loughery received high praises from his coaches as Offensive Coordinator Brett Gordon said “Drew played as good as he could tonight.” Explorer Head Coach Drew Gordon would echoe his son thoughts saying “Tonight Drew was money.”
With the victory the Explorers clinched their ticket to their second straight District XII title game where they will have a rematch with the George Washington Eagles who are the Philadelphia Public League Champions. Last season the Eagles took the world by surprised when they upset the Explorers by a score of 23-14. That lost left a bad taste in the mouth the Explorers “It was disappointing last year left a bad taste in our mouth, we been thinking about it all year we don’t want it to happen again” is what Feleccia had to say about last seasons lost to George Washington.
