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FOOTBALL: Catholic League Game of the Week, La Salle vs. St. Joseph's Prep

By John Knebels - Videos James Williamson & Zamani Feelings, 09/29/21, 11:00AM EDT

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PCL Game of the Week Sponsored by Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC

CATHOLIC LEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK

Who: La Salle vs. St. Joseph’s Prep

When: 3 PM Saturday, October 2

Where: Franklin Field 

Records: La Salle 5-0; 0-0; St. Joseph’s Prep 2-1, 0-0

Most Recent Performance: La Salle whipped McDonough (Md.), 38-14; the Prep overwhelmed Gonzaga (DC), 35-3.

Importance: Despite recent dominance, this remains the high school football rivalry of all rivalries as these two programs have vied for the big school title every year this decade and beyond . . . The Prep has defeated La Salle nine straight games including each of the past four PCL championships (2016 through 2019) . . . No disrespect to the rest of the Red Division, but this will most likely be the first of two meetings, with the Catholic League final providing an encore November 13 at Cardinal O’Hara . . . As the Prep ultimately gears to successfully defend its three straight PIAA Class 6A state titles, La Salle stands in its way.

All-Time Record: St. Joseph’s Prep leads, 56-36-5.

La Salle Notes: Explorers have outscored their five non-league opponents by 126 to 29 with two shutouts in the mix . . . Defensive unit piloted by outstanding linebackers (senior Abdul Carter, senior Chris Thompson, and sophomore Matt Wills), a strong line led by junior leading tackler Darold Dengohe, and a stingy secondary that includes senior free safety Ryan Moore and senior cornerback Amir Anderson . . . Senior quarterback Alan Paturzo (53-for-75, 650 yards, nine touchdowns) has led six different receivers to the end zone, led by the aforementioned Moore (15 receptions for 230 yards and a touchdown). A 48-minute man, Moore has also intercepted a pass and returned a punt for a touchdown . . . Super senior running back Sam Brown has rushed for 370 yards and three scores on 68 carries in addition to snaring three touchdown receptions . . . Don’t overlook sophomore RB Stevie Davis (42 carries, 263 yards, two TDs). 

St. Joseph’s Prep Notes: The Hawks have captured 32 consecutive Catholic League victories since losing to La Salle, 29-28, in the 2015 league final. Their regular-season streak stands at 30, the last defeat coming against Archbishop Ryan, 27-14 . . . Sophomore QB Samaj Jones has been a double threat with 221 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries, complemented by 46 of 75 passing for 467 yards and five touchdowns, his favorite target being sophomore David Washington (21 receptions for 200 yards and a touchdown) . . . The Prep’s six passing touchdowns have gone to six different receivers . . . Defensive standouts include junior linebacker Josiah Trotter, junior end James Heard, sophomore cornerback Omillio Agard, and senior safety Keenan Nelson.

EXPLORER CHAT: “This game is number one versus number two in Pennsylvania playing at Franklin Field, so it doesn’t get much bigger than that,” said La Salle senior quarterback Alan Paturzo. “We haven’t beaten them since 2015 and we plan to end that losing streak on Saturday.

“Prepping for these guys is crucial, so we have to lock in and have a great week of practice. When we go out there on Saturday we have to play hard, smart and together, because when we do that, we can beat anyone. It’s really important that we start fast so we don’t fall behind early like we have in the past few years.

La Salle Practice Highlights by James Williamson

“I’m proud of this team and what we have done so far, but we haven’t reached our full potential yet. This game is just another opportunity to improve – but it definitely feels bigger than some of the others, and we’re looking forward to it," added Paturzo.

HAWK CHAT: “We all are excited for this game,” said senior defensive lineman Dan Daly. “It has a lot of hype around it, along with being rivalry week. We get to play in a great atmosphere on Saturday, an afternoon right off of a bye week. We all have been itching to get out there and line up against an opposing team, and what better team to do it against than our rival La Salle.”

Prediction: La Salle is excellent and can beat any team in the state. Several pundits believe this will be the year that the Explorers finally push the Prep from the pedestal, and that wouldn’t be shocking. But the Prep’s defense appears to be too strong, and in an entertaining fray that remains close throughout, the Hawks will edge the Explorers, 26-17.

St. Joseph's Prep Practice Highlights by Zamani Feelings

  (John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)