PLYMOUTH MEETING – La Salle High School senior Austin Lemke stood tall and got right to the point. A certain someone from a certain website had predicted that the Explorers would defeat Archbishop Ryan, but that they would allow 30 points in the process.
“We’ve played some pretty good teams during the year,” said Lemke. “It put it in the back of our minds all week. We didn’t focus on it, but we saw it and said hey, if people think we’re letting up 30 points in a game, that’s not good.”
After La Salle’s convincing 45-7 Catholic League Red Division victory, one thing was pretty evident: the guy who made that prediction might not want to quit his day job.
The Explorers (4-1 overall, 2-0 league) held the Raiders (2-3, 1-1) to 68 yards rushing on 30 carries and 76 passing yards on eight completions.
In particular, the defense of linemen Stephen Matchett (senior), Leland Mersky, Ronnie Ross, and Lucas McNally (all juniors); senior linebackers Austin Lemke and Liam Trainer; and the secondary of junior Frank Joyce, senior Devon Smith, junior Sean Daly, senior Charles Wroten, and senior Brennan Daly made life miserable for the Raiders.
Meanwhile, La Salle’s offense was virtually flawless.
The Explorers scored early and often. Quarterback Danny Solecki added yet another accomplishment to his burgeoning resume. Through the air, the efficient senior completed 9 of 12 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown toss to senior Troy Holland. On the ground, he collected 57 yards and a touchdown on three carries.
The Explorers spread the wealth. Eight different players ran for positive yardage, and seven carried multiple times. Junior Manny Quiles (5 carries, 32 yards), junior Brett Mallee (5 for 47), senior Octavious Carter (3 for 24, touchdown), and the aforementioned Solecki led the way; sophomore Jalen De Vose (4 for 40), senior Brennan Daly (3 for 37), senior Joey Burnham (1 for 14), and sophomore Brad Vespe (3 for 7) took advantage of playing time, as did sophomore quarterback Jack Machita, who connected with senior tight end Sean Duffy for a 20-yard touchdown. Senior kicker Dan Karrash booted a field goal and six extra points.
Octavious Carter bulls his way into the end zone for La Salle's first TD
La Salle's defense makes another stop
Manny Quiles scores on a short TD run
“We have a lot of weapons,” said Lemke. “As an offense and a defense it’s not like we are split up ever. We’re a really close team. We talk about when we get a stop, you guys score. That’s our motto. That’s how we’re gonna do it.”
Austin Lemke and Liam Trainer had the last laugh about a pre-game prediction...
Austin Lemke and Liam Trainer compliment both the offense and defense
On two occasions, Lemke looked more like a basketball player. He swatted two pass attempts before they could come close to the designated receiver. The first occurred with La Salle ahead, 3-0, midway through the first quarter. The next blocked pass coincided with La Salle leading by 17-0 late in the second stanza.
“We’re not gonna let ourselves get ahead of ourselves,” said Lemke. “Keep grinding, keep going. Kinda play with a chip on our shoulder at all times. We just come out with an edge on our shoulder as a defensive unit.”
Senior linebacker Liam Trainer concurs.
La Salle vs. Ryan (32 Game & Fan photos)
“Coach (John Steinmetz) has been stressing the whole season since winter workouts that finishing is one of our main priorities,” said Trainer. “Whether it’s in the weight room, at practice, or in a game in the fourth quarter, we’re never going to get off the gas. We’re never going to pull up short.”
Point taken.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
Looking Ahead: La Salle will host Father judge Friday night at 7PM at Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS. Archbishop Ryan will travel to play Archbishop Wood at 7PM Friday at William Tennent HS.