Cardinal O'Hara - Photo Courtesy of @COHS_Athletics
Lansdale Catholic - Photo Courtesy of @LCCrusaders
CATHOLIC LEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK
Who: Cardinal O’Hara vs. Lansdale Catholic
When: 7 PM Saturday, October 7
Where: Wissahickon High School
Records: Cardinal O’Hara 4-1, 1-1; Lansdale Catholic 2-3, 2-1
Most Recent Performance: Cardinal O’Hara blanked Bonner-Prendergast, 21-0; Lansdale Catholic defeated Conwell-Egan, 31-21.
Importance: Since they both have a Blue Division loss already, the loser of this game will be eliminated from any championship possibilities.
All-Time Record: The series is tied, 2-2.
O’Hara Notes: The Lions’ defense has been stupendous, allowing only 16 points while the offense has scored 139 . . . After a stunning 10-7 division-opening loss to Bishop McDevitt, O’Hara rebounded to beat Bonner-Prendergast for their third shutout in five games . . . A limited running game has been offset by the combined QB play of senior Bobby Siderio (24 for 40, 173 yards, 2 TDs) and junior Luke Sprague (17-34, 266, 4 TDs) . . . The defense has recorded at least one interception every game, with two of them returned for touchdowns in addition to a touchdown via a fumble recovery by All-Catholic linebacker Jamir Redd . . . All-Catholic senior Justin Santilla has turned 10 of his receptions into 96 yards and two touchdowns. He has also returned a theft for a score.
Lansdale Catholic Notes: The Crusaders have a lethal running game led by senior Matt Casee and sophomore Danny Dutkiewicz, both of whom are on the field simultaneously. Casee has finished four games with 100, 183, 137, and 106 yards. He has gained 530 yards and scored seven touchdowns on 84 carries. Dutkiewicz has rushed for 368 yards and two TDs on 65 carries and also leads the team in receptions with six . . . The Crusaders have completed only 14 passes, with 11 of them going to running backs and three to tight ends . . . Sophomore Andrew McDonald has two interceptions.
Lion Chat: “We're prepared for our upcoming games that we have left,” said All-Catholic senior linebacker Jamir Redd. “We're not worried about (any other team). This is Lansdale Catholic week, and that’s who we’re focused on as a team. We're not worried about the points they put up, because our defense has been phenomenal throughout these two years, so we're coming out with the same mentality to come out, be physical, run for days, and let up no points.”
“This is a vital game for our team,” said senior placekicker Kevin Calamita, who has supplied 19 points this year, including a 32-yard field goal. “We are coming off of a bye week, so we need to stay focused on this week’s game against a very good Lansdale Catholic team. Lansdale Catholic is a good team and anyone in this league has a chance to win it, so every win counts. We need to stay focused, and it's all about going 1-0 this week and we can move on after the game.”
Crusader Chat: “This week's game is very important for both Cardinal O'Hara and Lansdale Catholic,” said LC coach Tom Kirk. “We are both looking to compete for the Catholic League championship and a win will go a long way toward achieving that goal. For us, we struggled out of the gate, but over the last three weeks we have played at a level that gives us a chance to compete with O'Hara. They are the defending Catholic League champions, so we need to be prepared for an intense and very physical football game.”
“This game is extremely important to our team and it will set the tone for the rest of the season,” said senior running back Matt Casee. “A big win this weekend could help us out a lot in terms of playoffs. We need to do everything we can to secure a spot in the playoffs and that starts with a win this week. Our offensive line knows that our offense starts with them. O’Hara is very solid up front on defense, but I know our offensive line will be up for the challenge and I have full trust that they will be able to control the game.”
Cardinal O'Hara Football - PSD photo by Aaron Mitchell
Cardinal O'Hara Football - PSD photo by Aaron Mitchell
Lansdale Catholic Football - Photo Courtesy of @LCCrusaders
Lansdale Catholic Fan Section - Photo Courtesy of @LCCrusaders
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic has shown an ability to score from anywhere on the field, but this O’Hara defense is among the area’s best. Although LC will gain its share of yardage on the ground and its defense will make the Lions work for their points, Cardinal O’Hara moves a step closer to an eventual showdown with first-place Neumann-Goretti thanks to a 20-7 victory.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com.)