HERSHEY, Pa. – In talking with a Philadelphia reporter following the “AAAA” state championship game, Sam Feleccia said he was thinking about a major in some area of business.
Speaking of business, LaSalle College (14-1) was very businesslike in handling District 6 champion State College (12-3), holding the Little Lions to just 120 yards of offense in a 24-7 romp in the PIAA “AAAA” championship game Saturday afternoon from snow-covered Hersheypark Stadium.
The victory brought the Philadelphia Catholic League its first PIAA championship. State College failed to become the first-ever District 6 big school team to win a PIAA final. District 6, as a whole, is just 1-5 all-time in PIAA title games.
State College coach Al Wolski said that the playoff run went further than anybody would have expected for his team.
“If you had honestly asked anybody before the season how long our season would be, they probably would have said we’d win one or two playoff games,” Wolski said. “But we took it further than that.”
State High’s impressive playoff run, with dominating victories against Woodland Hills and Cumberland Valley, was ended with a dominating 17-point first half by the Explorers.
The game’s first three points came via a bit of luck. Explorer place kicker Mike Bennett booted a 37-yard field goal as he was falling down. The line-drive kick bounced off and over the crossbar, and LaSalle led by 3.
“A little charm,” said LaSalle head coach Drew Gordon. “I’ll take luck over being good.”
Jamal Abdur-Rahman’s 22-yard scoring run pushed the LaSalle lead to 10-0. Rahman finished the game with 60 yards on7 carries, but left the game with a knee injury. Gordon said Rahman will likely need an operation on the knee.
Tim Wade’s seven-yard run with 1:10 left in the half pushed the Explorer lead to 17-0, and State College’s hopes of a gold medal had long fallen to the wayside.
“Their offense was probably more geared for the weather conditions,” Wolski said. “They were a little more north and south (than we were).”
Feleccia’s 55-yard touchdown run with four minutes left in the third quarter pushed the LaSalle lead to 24-0. But the shutout was not to last. Alex Kenney returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.
“We gave #21 one opportunity,” Gordon said. “And he took advantage of it.”
Kenney’s kickoff return was the longest in the history of the AAAA state finals and the second-longest in PIAA finals history – Drew Astorino had a 97-yard kickoff return in the 2006 AAA title game against Pottsville.
LaSalle’s career 5,000-yard passing quarterback, Drew Loughery finished the game 5-of-11 for 109 yards, with all five completions coming in the first half. But LaSalle’s ground game, a very under-rated part of the offensive attack, chewed up 242 yards.
Feleccia finished with 156 yards on 20 carries. Wade finished with 14 yards on four carries and Loughery 12 yards on eight carries.
The LaSalle defense limited State High to just 96 yards on 31 carries. The Lions’ passing game, which exploded for over 170 yards last week against Cumberland Valley, finished with just 24 yards on three completions.
15 Responses
Well “Comefrom tree”, you missed the whole point. I was actually giving the PCL accolades. But realize, out of 4 state brackets for the last 2 years, PCL has only won ONE championship. Don’t crown yourself a dynasty just yet. In the last 10 years, North Penn ( my alma mater) has been the New York Yankees of District one. Not exactly sure, but they have probably won more playoff games in that time then anyone else ( district 1 or 12). So that’s where they have been. Where was WOOD & WEST last year? Losing in the state finals. Didn’t even make that far this year. Like I said before, I’m really glad the PCL joined us. Makes for great competition. Comments like mine ” shouldn’t cease to amaze you”, they are only in rebuttal to comments like yours, which HAVE ceased to amaze me. PCL has yet to establish the track record.
Buddy is just one of those guys who, once again, doesn’t give the PCL a shot. Just because his Boy’s team or alma mater is suffering from lack of wins doesnt mean you can falsify anything the PCL has done the past two years and the only two years the PCL has been in the State Playoffs…Lets see last year? where was North Penn? hmm Where was Selinsgrove? hmm BUT wait where was WOOD and WEST…people never cease to amaze me.
Congratulations LaSalle. What a dominating performance. I’m so glad the mighty PCL is a member of DISTRICT 12. It does DISTRICT 12 proud, the PHILLY AREA proud. =) I’m in Philly, less than 5 minutes away from LaSalle. Hey, any team less than 30 minutes from Philly is a Philly area team, even better, your name, The PCL, The Philadelphia Catholic League. =)
I think The PCL will do an measurable, immeasurable, intended and unforeseen amount of good for DISTRICT 12. Philly now has several heavy weights within its backyard. LaSalle and a number of PCL teams will become the measuring rod for other teams, especially ‘potentially capable’ PUB teams. The THOUGHT for the capable pub teams will be, step to the side–moan, bicker, and complain or IMPROVE, STEP YOUR GAME UP, make your school and the area proud. Eventually, potentially capable PUB teams will have their minds filled with the words STUDY, PRACTICE, FUNDAMENTALS, TRAINING, DISCIPLINE, TEAM EFFORT, EXCELLENT COACHING, PLAY CALLING, and COACHING ADJUSTMENTS, running through their speedy, athletic veins. Congratulations LaSalle, The PCL, DISTRICT 12–THANKYOU SO MUCH.
I’ve waited about 20 years for something like this. You sent a 2A and 3A team to the state championship and now you have a 4A state champion in just 2 seasons. You are no longer a myth, a living urban legend. YOU ARE AS GOOD AS DISTRICT 1, DISTRICT 11, and DISTRICT 7. But of course you PCL guys and ALUMS already knew this =) Thankyou from (Mt. Airy) Philadelphia, PA.
Buddy,
My comments were not to suggest that the PCL will win the state every year. And i certainly never mentioned that they would dominate Certainly the teams you mentioned will very much be involved and are always very good. But the PCL is a force that nobody has had to deal with before. Just like North Penn, Parkland, Liberty Selinsgrove etc.etc. are contenders every year so will the PCL. If someone thinks otherwise most likely no one can convince them. I have no idea who will win the state title next year. But i know the PCL will be a contender more often than not.
Hey PCL fans, why not close all existing PCL schools, merge into one huge school and field teams in all 4 classes so total domination is assured. The championship game won’t even have to be played! Just name the school the winner! I jest of course, and for the first two years in the PIAA, so far so good – three teams in the state finals – 2A, 3A and 4A and a big school win. Good start. With all the talk, only time will tell if there is “domination”. Eight months to High School Football!
COLIN, I’m afraid you’re suffering from extreme wishful thinking bordering on dillision. The North Penn’s, the Ridley’s, the Neshaminy’s, the Liberty’s , the Sellinsgrove’s etc. will have something to say about that. As a matter of fact, next year the 3A final will probably be sellingsgrove again, and definetly the 4A final will be North Penn. Take it to the bank. The LaSalle’s , St. Joe prep’s will definetly be in the playoffs, but they sure won’t dominant them. Nice little run, but it’s over. Congrats though.
LaSalle definitely deserves to be Quad a Champs. But just think about a Quad A tourney with LaSalle, Easton, North Penn, Ridley, McDevitt, Woodland Hills, Gateway and St. Joe Prep only. That would be great football.
good job LaSalle. The first Catholic league state title. It wont be the last for the PCL thats for sure. The rest of the state better get used to seeing this on a regular basis. The PCL will be a threat to win the state title in 2A, 3A and 4A just about every year.
Nothing against LaSalle but I am from the Lehigh Valley and it just go’s to show that Easton could,ve been state champs. I mean they were winning 14-0 and if they could have held on and then beat Ridley. They also probably could,ve beaten State College. But anyway its good to see the east of PA finally win two years in a row. Good job LaSalle you deserve it!
Mr. Wilson,
Your post couldn’t be any weaker and make less sense!!
LaSalle dominated play on both side of the ball and their big players stepped up while State College’s did not!
Wilson, what’s you’re point? I thought the officiating in the LaSalle – State College game was atrocious bordering on biased!
All that counts in points on the board brother! The real fact is that State College could have played that game all day and night and their offense would NEVER have scored a single point!
On the other hand, LaSalle pretty much had their way with them when they had the ball and this was with their best running back leaving in the middle of the 2nd quarter.
Sour grapes is never becoming John; neither is crying in your beer!
My oldest son is a LaSalle grad and my younger son is currently a member of the West Catholic football ball team, from my family and West Catholic High School we would like to say a job well done Explorers!
Nice job Lasalle, But I also saw that you were called for a lot more penalts the you were called for last week, why because there were true PIAA ref’s ……case closed
It appeared that LaSalle’s defense was always in position to make a play. That is a credit to the coaching staff for putting them in the right positions.
Congratulations Explorers. You are a credit to your school.