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Welcome to the official blog on high school football for the 2013 season.
During the off-season let’s talk about players, recruiting news, teams and everything about high school football.
During the season each week let’s talk about match-ups and how teams did. Let us know what player(s) stood out each week.
2,248 Responses
PCL Fan, how did I discount the other QB transfer? I read on here that they got not one but two QB transfers. So, I asked who it was?
True, it’s not easy to know exactly everything about a team heading into a season. Too many moving parts for that.
Thanks for the kind words on report.
@Buddy
Read you loud and clear. I didn’t think about the feeder element. Now that you mention it, I believe a Hatfield-residing NP fan last year said something about two junior programs consolidating into one team, meaning a loss of volume, finances,or some such problem. I think Pennfield was involved but am not sure at present.
It was just an analogy with CB West. Not an exact occurrence. NP was in the playoffs at least 12 straight years ( actually I believe 14 straight years) up to last year.
Granted, NP didn’t split or lose their coach, but Beck is no Pettine for sure. Actually, Pettine was pretty much a tyrant. His program mirrored most colleges. It was a 12 month dedication.
I can only guess NP feeder program has dropped off dramatically. Even a school of NP’s size may not produce excellent athletes year in and year out.
Wood next week. I don’t expect a win, but a competitive showing would be encouraging.
What happens when they are playing teams from New Jersey? They lost by one away and then got beat handily the second year. They played one game against a WPIAL team and lost. They were awful that night and I am sure a lot of that had to do with playing an epic state semifinal game against a great team the week before. Phillyboy, everyone knows where you are coming from. Chill on the La Salle bashing. It gets boring after a while.
@ Phillyboy
There is always some excuse or like to trow out some negative. Lasalle is 1-1 against the West in state finals and beat the NJ team they played last year. Yes the lost to a great NA team, so did Coatsville and should have split with Bergen but I’ll take their success.
@ Buddy and D. Have either of you seen TEP or Prep play this year? On paper I agree they have more overall talent but then a lot of teams LaSalle plays have more talent. Prep played poorly in preseason then beat a Texas team that no ones knows anything about. That game was tied until the Dallas QB went down. TEP beat an Ohio school that plays in the smallest Ohio division. Other than looking at the teams on paper why does LaSalle lose?
On Huck’s report, nice job. Three weeks ago Huck did not know about LaSalle’s backup QB then discounts it. Now he notes it. Why bring this up, because it shows how hard it is for the average to figure out what a program has coming back when the inside guys have no clue.
@ Buddy
What on earth happened to the old NP? Seems like they totally lost their mojo. Unlike CB West, they didn’t lose their coach nor have any kids been lost to a new high school.
LaSalle obviously has a very fine program despite not always having Div. 1 talent. as somebody else pointed out. But what happens when they’re playing teams from N. Jersey or the WPIAL? At any rate they’ll have their hands full with Tep next week, can’t wait.
@Buddy
Sorry for your discomfort, I have been there many times over the years while rooting for various “favorites” as I moved about and aged. As you probably know from other posts, I am basically for any Suburban One team now, but favor the closer National Conference for viewing. You mentioned CB West and the school split and Mike leaving. I dreaded that at the time. But; at NP there has been no split and Dick is still at the helm. I can’t believe a school of this size has run out of talent.!? I can see inexperience as a negative factor; but just what is going on in Knights-land?
D, I don’t know much about NP’s secondary (it wasn’t that great even when they had an excellent team two years ago) but La Salle has a TON of speed and athleticism at receiver and RB. Shurmer will have plenty of help. Yes they are inexperienced but there is a lot of talent with La Salle’s skill players.
@D
I agree, LS will lose to Tep & SJP, but they will still be in the playoffs. The NP game told nothing. I’m afraid NP won’t be a barometer for anyone this year. Now I know how CB West fans felt after Pettine left & CB South was formed.
@ PCL fan
Doesn’t matter how many points NP gets, they will still have too many loses to make the playoffs. If for some of chance fluke they do, I’m afraid they won’t go nowhere.
Gonna be a long season for me.
@Huck
Great writeup of LS NP game on tedsilary.com. I would add Matt Raczak to your article. With Winslow gone, he had a lot to prove.
The LaSalle line will be just fine. They never have had a big line outside of last year. 2009 they had two tackles under 210lb. 2010 had 3 guys under 220lb. The coaching pulls them through.
The issue from yesterday was the secondary, but then Herron was out for many of the big plays as he struggled with cramps for most of the game and did not play well when he was in, some drops, muffed punt etc. To think they dominated this game without their best player staring is a great sign.
Lots of new guys getting playing time. A number of fast guys in the backfield and 7 guys catching passes. NP only got inside the LaSalle 40 twice. The change in points system will help NP big time. They will get a lot of points for 3 losses.
Hey Buddy, you were right. I thought NP would make a few more plays then they did. LaSalle played very well and ran up the middle all day. NP got behind the D on 2 or 3 plays but the ball wasn’t close enough.
I see SJP and Imhotep beating LaSalle this season.
Great QB, but I don’t think he’ll get enough help to beat better teams with MUCH better secondaries. North Penn’s D made things way too easy on LS tonight. I don’t see them having as much success against SJP/Tep’s athletic secondaries.
Went pretty much as I expected. NP simply has no play-makers. Not typical for them, but that’s the way it will be all year I’m afraid.
Big test for LS is next week. Even if they lose, but keep it close, then they could be for real. Could make the Prep game one to watch.
Can’t wait for Saturday good day at Germantown Site, Furness Vs Roxborough at 1pm, 6pm LaSalle vs IMHOTEP. This might be the best game in the city in the last 25yrs. I think TEP is better then last year, loaded with talent but LaSalle is still Top notch it looks after blowing out North Penn tonight.. Rox has a player name Ed Wright who plays the 1st game, had 3TDs on Friday, this kid is good, where did he come from?? Nasir Bonner has a big day vs LaSalle, Herron has a big day for LaSalle. My prediction LaSalle 28-24
I guess we won’t be hearing from phillyboy anymore.
LaSalle probably is overrated, they have terrific skill position talent but I think that they will struggle with teams like SJP and Imhotep because of their lack of size on the line of scrimmage.
But they are in a completely different class than a way overrated North Penn team. Other than Akins, NP looked very slow and unathletic and they are going to have a long year. 0-3 out of the gate for sure.
Just a few notes on the LaSalle side…
Offensively…
-Shurmur looked solid. Calm and composed for his first varsity start.
-Meachum, Walls, and Rinella all looked great for LaSalle running the ball.
-The O-line dominated.
-Hardy was great. 5 grabs for over 80 yards. Safe target for Shurmur.
-Overall were very efficient offensively.
Defensively…
-Solid overall effort. Typical Steinmetz-run defense.
-Had some trouble covering deep, could have been hurt a few times if NP were able to connect.
Overall, they look like they should be pretty competetive at the least this year. Well coached again. Should be an interesting year all around the area.
FINAL:
LaSalle 34
North Penn 7
Shurmur looks sharp
Imhotep 49 Cardinal Mooney (OH) 21
Ryan has a better chance of dropping down than Judge they just made it the last time
@ Groat
Great upset pick
I think LaSalle will pull it out in the end after a hard fought contest… Say LaSalle 26- NP 20. Expect a big crowd and great environment.
So… uh..
D’Andre Swift could go down as a legend around here. Sounds like he’s dominating in Dallas tonight. Can’t wait to see him in a few weeks.
Here is the real deal. The playing field is unfair in PCL Dist 12 AAAA. LaSalle and SJP have the clear advantages and always will. Judge and Ryan can’t compete academically, athletically or financially. That’s not to knock LS or SJP. They will always continue their tradition of academic and athletic success. Once open enrollment took place within the archdiocesan secondary schools, Judge and Ryan’s fate were sealed. Roman benefits from kids who want to expand their horizons but can’t afford LS or SJP. Judge and Ryan will never rise to the top of AAAA Dist 12 FB again. Judge may even find themselves dropping to AAA in next few years as their enrollment steadily falls off. If and when that happens, Judge will have to find a way to compete with Wood.