Photos: Donna Eckert

By: John Knebels

SPRINGFIELD – After she intercepted the pass in the final seconds of the first half, her first thought wasn’t scoring a touchdown.

But then she saw 58 yards worth of open space, and that’s when Lansdale Catholic senior Devin VanOsten realized that something much more special dotted the horizon.

“In the moment, I was just trying to make a play for my team,” said VanOsten. “But after I beat the first girl, I knew I was gonna score.”

“It was the best team win of the season,” said VanOsten, the PCL’s Most Valuable Player. “I knew the only way we weren’t walking away champs would be because we beat ourselves. Our coaches helped us prepare for everything we’d see on the field.

“I have so much faith in my teammates and I know they have faith in me. I am so incredibly proud of this team and everything we’ve accomplished since the beginning of the season.”

In flag football’s second year as a fully recognized PCL sport, the Crusaders dethroned a Vikings program that finished undefeated last year, culminating with an unofficial state championship at the Nova Care Complex owned by the Philadelphia Eagles, who started the flag foot initiative four years ago. 

On May 31 at the same venue, the Crusaders will attempt to replicate their 2022 unofficial state title when they represent the PCL while competing against three other opponents in a two-game tournament.

“I really value both sides of the ball,” said Mobley, who during the winter helped the Lansdale Catholic basketball squad reach the PIAA Class 4A state championship. “I think defense is just as important as offense, so I really try to put the most effort into both.

“On defense, I know I need to be aggressive on the ball and make sure I read each player’s body language. On offense, I try to be aggressive but just in a different way. I try to push the ball up field and make the right moves to get past a defender, again reading her body language.”

With 15.8 seconds remaining in the first half, a perfectly flung touchdown pass to senior Sophia Zito gave LC what seemed to be a 20-12 halftime lead. The Vikings, however, tried to force a late score, but it seriously backfired on VanOsten’s aforementioned TD pick.

A high energy linebacker on defense who pulled five flags and broke up three pass attempts, Zito had taken over for LC’s top wide receiver, sophomore Ali Kaltenbacher, who was in North Carolina for Team USA flag football practice. Zito made the most of her opportunity by nabbing her first touchdown of the season.

“I wasn’t even supposed to be the slot receiver for that play, I was supposed to be at outside,” said Zito. “I just remember seeing Dev throw the ball and I just went up and got it and kept thinking, ‘I need to score.’ I’m really happy I did because my team wanted to win the PCL so bad.”

Any possible remaining drama dissipated when Lansdale Catholic scored on its first possession of the second half, a highlight-reel touchdown pass from Van Osten to leaping senior Shannon Duffy.

“The first thing I remember is how close I was to the sideline,” said Duffy, a second-team All-Catholic. “I saw that Devin was rolling over to my side so I figured that the ball was coming to me. At that point I had two girls side-by-side on me, so I had to jump up and grab it before they did.

“The last thing that went through my mind was reaching above the other girls, grabbing the ball, and making sure at least one foot was in the end zone. After that, it was just realizing I scored and hearing my team cheer for me. It was really exciting to be a part of such an unforgettable game.”

Other less-celebrated Crusader offerings came from senior Brenna Whalen (seven catches for 54 yards), junior Jenna Kovacs (four for 37), freshman Izzy Balisalisa (two catches for 11 yards; three rushes for nine yards; extra point reception), senior Emerson Selgrath (four flag pulls), freshman Gabby Kaelin (two rushes for seven yards), and junior Cat Kasmer (two flag pulls),

Lansdale Catholic’s Brandon Reese, the PCL Coach of the Year, wasn’t sure how the Crusaders would perform, especially without their top receiver.

Even Reese could not have predicted the Crusaders’ dominant performance against a very strong Archbishop Wood.

“We knew we had to be our most prepared we’ve ever been all season,” said Reese. “We had a couple of film sessions going into the game, including the day of, and we sat down as a team and strategized. I feel like that helped with our overall execution for the day.” 

Asked about his quarterback, Reese shook his head.

“That was her highest completion percentage and highest yard total that she’s had all season, and the most lockdown defense I’ve ever seen her play,” he said. “It was truly a masterpiece of a performance that we’re gonna need her to replicate if we want to win states.”

(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com on ‘X’ @johnknebels.)