The LaSalle Explorers exploded for 21 first half points and cruised to a 28-14 victory over previously undefeated Archbishop Ryan in both team’s conference opener at George Washington high Saturday afternoon.
Explorer coach Drew Gordon used a plethora of running backs and the consistent passing of Kyle Shurmur which kept the Raider defense off balance for most of the first half.
Ryan came into the game averaging over 45 points a game rolling over opponents with their smash mouth style of play and the running of junior sensation Samir Bullock. LaSalle countered with a very aggressive front seven that kept Bullock pretty much at bay all afternoon and limiting the Raiders to three and outs on their first three possessions.
The Explorers offense put two touchdowns on the board with still three minutes to play in the first quarter with touchdowns by Jordan Meachum and Nick Rinella. Just before the half LaSalle thwarted a Ryan drive at their own 13 then went 87 yards in five plays including Jimmy Herron’s 40 yard wildcat run and a 23 yard touchdown reception from quarterback Kyle Shurmur, which gave the Explorers a three score advantage that the Raiders would not be able to recover.
LaSalle takes on Father Judge next week as Ryan plays Roman in conference games.
Scoring by Quarter
1st Quarter
LS- Meachum- 4 run- Raczak kick- 7:04
LS- Rinella-1 run- Raczak kick- 3:00
2nd Quarter
LS- Herron- 23 pass from Shurmur-Raczak kick- 1:26
3rd Quarter
AR- Golden- 44 pass from Ostaszewski- Stock kick- 10:49
LS- Herron- 21 pass from Shurmur- Raczak kick- 6:50
AR- Golden- 25 pass from Matt Romano- Stock- kick- 3:08
4th Quarter
No Scoring
Notes: Freshman Matt Romano quarterbacked four plays on Ryan’s last touchdown drive. He completed a 13 yard pass, ran for 15 yards then threw for a 25 yard TD to Connor Golden. Golden’s catch was over two Explorers. Syracuse commit Zaire Franklin was a stalwart at linebacker and at left tackle. Shurmur was 15-25-176-2TDS. Rinella gained 12 hard earned yards pushing five Raiders back on one play in second half.
One Response
Well, the win answered a few questions about La Salle. Not all of them but enough to say that winning the PCL, you still have to go through Wyndmoor.