Malvern, Pa., Quarterback Chris Kane had a hand in every LaSalle offensive touchdown as the Explorers easily handled the Malvern Prep Friars, 38-6 at Quigley Field in Malvern. The reining PCL, AAAA champs controlled the tempo from the beginning and took advantage of two costly Friar Fumbles which put the game out of reach by halftime.
Sitting on a 3-0 lead after a Ryan Winslow field goal, Kane led LaSalle on two drives of 5 and 8 plays and scored from one yard out both times putting the Friars down by three scores with still ten minutes left in the second quarter.
The LaSalle defense gave Friar Quarterback William Ford fits all afternoon. Down 17-0, multiple Explorer linemen were there at the same time Ford was handing off to RB Eric Purnell causing a fumble that Andrew Eidenshink recovered. Three plays later Kane hit Jon Nagi with a four yard touchdown.
Things went from bad to worse for the Prep on their next possession when Explorer Pat Hoffman stripped Troy Gallen causing another fumble. Celebrating his eighteenth birthday, Chris Rocco saw his birthday present sitting on the Friar 30, grabbed it and rambled for a touchdown all but putting the game out of reach by halftime.
Another Kane touchdown pass (this one to Levi Hardi from 13 yards out) gave the Explorers a 38-0 lead and a mercy clock rule put into effect.
This LaSalle team has all the ingredients to make yet another run at a third straight Eastern Pa, AAAA championship game. They controlled all three areas (offense, defense and special teams) in this game and appear headed to a showdown with St. Joe’s Prep when the two meet later this year.
LaSalle moves to 4-0 and visit Archbishop Ryan next week in their Catholic League opener. Malvern falls to 2-2 and will play at Upper Darby next week before they start play in Inter-Ac league.
Notes: University of Pitt commit Winslow had five kickoffs not returned due to touchbacks. Defensive lineman Jake Anderson had a load of tackles for Malvern. LaSalle had three starters not play due to injury or sickness (Tom Spiteri, Dave Geppert and Bill Frusco). Nagi was double teamed often at his DE position. Kane’s final stats were 13-20, 144 yards, two touchdown passes and two touchdown runs in slightly less than three quarters work. He plays the game a lot like Tim Tebow. Jared Herrmann ran hard from his tailback position. He had 50 yards in a little over one half.
Scoring By Quarter
1st Quarter
LS- Ryan Winslow- 33 yard Field Goal- 7:08
LS- Chris Kane- 1 yard run- PAT- Winslow- 3:19
2nd Quarter
LS- Kane- 1 yard run- PAT- Winslow- 9:54
LS- Jon Nagi- 4 yard pass from Kane- PAT- Winslow- 2:44
LS- Chris Rocco- 30 yard Fumble Recovery Return- PAT- Winslow- 2:10
3rd Quarter
LS- Levi Hardi- 13 yard pass from Kane- PAT- Winslow- 1:52
4th Quarter
MA- Troy Gallon- 68 yard pass from William Ford- PAT- Missed- 9:13
