Prep/LaSalle
- Thread starter newport
- Start date
I was following along the radio. Was anyone in attendance? It sounded like a great atmosphere. Big kudos to Coach Steinmetz and the team. I can’t wait for the (presumable) rematch in the PCL final!
It was an incredible venue and atmosphere. lasalle is well coached and played a great game. The score should have been wider and it wasn’t. It makes a rematch interesting. Prep is very young and it showed. Their offense is one dimensional and play calling and coaching should be questioned.
When was the last time SJP and Southern Columbia both lost on the same weekend? I'm sure I was 20 pounds lighter when it happened....lol
Roxy, any chance they can use Franklin Field for the second week of November?
The Prep is too keen on the power formation. I'm thinking of that 4th and 3 from about the LaSalle 35 when the game was tied.
What was going on on that 4th down with a few minutes left when Trotter found himself with the ball. If they were confused, they had timeouts left and should have taken one.
I think that was another play contributed to youth. Looks like it was only 10 players on the field.
Tulla -
There is now a connection at Franklin field, whether they can schedule another game there this season is unknown and would obviously depend on Penn’s schedule as well. It was an incredible atmosphere. It would be great if more teams and players could have such an experience.
As far as the game, parts of it were somewhat shocking, meaning that Prep seem unprepared and under prepared. Yes they are young and it showed, but to become so one dimensional reminded me of the days prior to 2010 when all LS had to do was load the box. To have any chance to win, they will need to throw the ball, whether that means a change at QB will be determined. And the coaching, well it was clear who won that battle. Watching the confusion on the sidelines and the consequential results left many folks stoic. The last few minutes and the play in question simply define the prep for this game. Ironically, I thought the score should have been wider and that provides some hope for the playoffs. There was one play in the first half that was very questionable and turned the momentum to LS side and that was them downing the punt on half yard line when it was beyond very clear that the player was standing in the end zone, It’s not an excuse but worth noting. It created a big swing.
I believe a player CAN be in the end zone while downing a punt in high school. The rule is the ball cannot cross the goal line. So, the player can stand in the end zone and bat the ball towards the field. The ball just cannot cross the goal line.
Roxy,
Penn is is playing at Harvard the second weekend in November. Here's hoping.
I understand the offense is young. It's the defense that puzzles me, e.g. the play where Brown waltzed into the endzone from around the five.
Before continuing to post about SJP, I should say that LaSalle needs to be congratulated for their win, especially for doing just about everything right in the third quarter.
While I haven't changed my mind about SJP's coaching on Saturday, I have to acknowledge that they're in a tough situation. When the team wins, it's often said they win because of the players' talent--almost always attributed to recruiting--and not because of good coaching while when the team loses, it's assumed it must be the coaches' fault because, of course, the team is so talented ... Of course, there are other factors that come into play.
This year's Prep team is reminding me of the 2015 team. That year the Prep was also coming off the loss of several outstanding players to graduation: Reid, Runyon, Zaccheaus, Clement, etc. Of course they had Swift (a junior) in 2015, but that 2014 group, which had come to the Prep when the program was just beginning to recover from the 2010 low point, were real leaders. And there was no experienced QB in 2015. The hallmark of that team was inconsistency: they were great against St. Ignatius and St. Joseph's (Montvale) and bad against Bosco and Malvern. They beat LaSalle in the regular season, fairly handily, but lost the championship game in the last minute.
I'm not pessimistic about this year's team. The two losses so far have yielded lots of lessons to learn and certainly have dispelled the idea that the Prep simply reloads and goes on winning. This year's team is even younger and more inexperienced than expected, so it's no surprise they are not a well-oiled machine. I expect them to be a fair bit stronger in 5-6 weeks, barring serious injury problems.
While I haven't changed my mind about SJP's coaching on Saturday, I have to acknowledge that they're in a tough situation. When the team wins, it's often said they win because of the players' talent--almost always attributed to recruiting--and not because of good coaching while when the team loses, it's assumed it must be the coaches' fault because, of course, the team is so talented ... Of course, there are other factors that come into play.
This year's Prep team is reminding me of the 2015 team. That year the Prep was also coming off the loss of several outstanding players to graduation: Reid, Runyon, Zaccheaus, Clement, etc. Of course they had Swift (a junior) in 2015, but that 2014 group, which had come to the Prep when the program was just beginning to recover from the 2010 low point, were real leaders. And there was no experienced QB in 2015. The hallmark of that team was inconsistency: they were great against St. Ignatius and St. Joseph's (Montvale) and bad against Bosco and Malvern. They beat LaSalle in the regular season, fairly handily, but lost the championship game in the last minute.
I'm not pessimistic about this year's team. The two losses so far have yielded lots of lessons to learn and certainly have dispelled the idea that the Prep simply reloads and goes on winning. This year's team is even younger and more inexperienced than expected, so it's no surprise they are not a well-oiled machine. I expect them to be a fair bit stronger in 5-6 weeks, barring serious injury problems.
Last edited:
Does anyone get the sense that SJP held back a little bit and did not show their full hand knowing Lasalle is much more formidable this year that in previous years and that the more important game is the League Championship ( maybe even the State Championship) in a month? They say its very hard to be a team twice in a year, so round 2 should be interesting.
I think that this win just solidifies La Salle as the team to beat. The win went a long way in the mental department of the La Salle players. Now they know they can handle the Prep. I know things can change (injuries, the weather) but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that La Salle will definitely win the second matchup and in a much more convincing way. How's that for some hutspah!!!
Of all things, I was at a golf outing yesterday being run by the Prep for The Hayden Scholarships. Didn't see any of you guys (Roxy, Tulla, Caveman) there.
Of all things, I was at a golf outing yesterday being run by the Prep for The Hayden Scholarships. Didn't see any of you guys (Roxy, Tulla, Caveman) there.
Thank you for supporting the Prep, Paul. I'm now a few hundred miles north of Philly, so no Prep golf outings for me. Maybe I'll be able to get down in November.
Of course LaSalle is the favorite in the second game--if there is a second game--but the chance of a more convincing LaSalle win seems slim to me.
I don’t think the prep held back. I will say they made key mishaps that lasalle capitalized on. Those mistakes can be corrected. Can’t expect to make that many mistakes and win a game. Now do I think they clean a lot of that stuff up before next game? Yes. Plus it’s hard to beat a good team twice in a year on every level. I hope both teams come in healthy and give us a great show.
I’m a nerd so I’m big on specials. The kicker/punter made 2 huge mistakes in the 2nd half. Botching a punt that only made it back to the LOS (lasalle started on preps 30 and eventually scored ). Failed to get on the field late in the 4th to punt it (ultimately they snapped it to the up back ). The return guy not fielding lasalle’s punt letting the gunner place it at the 1yd line. Prep never got out of that end of the field. The roughing call that woulda got lasalle off the field in the 3rd qtr on 3rd down and the pass was incomplete. They couldn’t beat Roman with all those mistakes.
When was the last time anyone saw any team punt to the other team's one yard line TWICE in the same game?
So much will happen between now and the next game. There will be injuries, but probably more important will be where the teams are mentally. The Prep has a game tonight (against a very good Middletown team on ESPNU) that, if they win and play well, could put them on a very positive track. Of course if they lose, the road ahead gets harder.
One other thing: in recent years it seems the Prep always had the edge, not just against LaSalle, when it came to special teams. They blocked a lot of punts and routinely returned kickoffs to about midfield. Think of last year's Malik Cooper's punt return in the state championship or Hagans' kickoff return for a TD against IMG. This all goes back for several years. So far this year, that edge hasn't been there.
Last edited:
Nothing too sexy about it but special teams rules most games! But about the game, Mtown evidently has a super Qb in Braden Davis (So Caro, 4 or 5 stars) that could be a problem. It was either him or the QB at Smyrna that transferred back in from DeMatha. As mentioned in another post, I'm not up on MD/DC FB nearly as much as before.
DE schools realigned this year with 3A (Smyrna, Mtown, Sallies, Cape types) the big schools; 2A, 1A smaller. DE teams have always been considered a notch below PA schools tho I saw a few really good teams 15 years ago sub contracting. Fun times at the Ex Station, Barley Mill Run and Stine Haskel. But, the believe prevailed that they are lesser down there. Thx for the game info tulla, I'll be watching as Hburg trip fell thru. Good luck to SJP.
DE schools realigned this year with 3A (Smyrna, Mtown, Sallies, Cape types) the big schools; 2A, 1A smaller. DE teams have always been considered a notch below PA schools tho I saw a few really good teams 15 years ago sub contracting. Fun times at the Ex Station, Barley Mill Run and Stine Haskel. But, the believe prevailed that they are lesser down there. Thx for the game info tulla, I'll be watching as Hburg trip fell thru. Good luck to SJP.
I suspect Paul may have been a guest. Either way, support is appreciated. I went to the Wood outing for years to support a friend and his son. I’ve supported the Prep in a number of ways as well. The LS game was the worst game I’ve seen them play in years. The feedback I got was that it was a bad week of practice. No excuses, but sounds like they had it coming to them. Move forward to DE game and less mistakes and better results against a team that had as many D1 candidates as LS. I think it was healthy to take one on the chin and to exude that LS will dominate and win at a greater margin next time seems hopeful but not accurate considering how poorly prep played and only lost by one score. Being the under dog in next meeting is a good place to be, Let’s hope we can get there.
Roxy,
I couldn't get ESPNU where I was last night so listened to most of the game on the Prep radio broadcast.
Sounded as if the Prep defense played really well. Lots of penalties on the Prep offense. Did the game seem well officiated? They will need to cut down the penalties in November.
Tulla, I thought the refs were biased towards the home team for sure. The Prep should have an additional TD when their QB crossed the goal line on 4rth down ,but no TD was signaled , unbelievable !!. Prep kept it simple on offense pounding the ball on the ground up the middle. Defense was superb.
General takeaways as I was literally in and out.
tulla I saw a late flag that was well after the play (PI) that incensed coach. Otherwise typical.
In my view it was a big mismatch at los with SJ's D overwhelming Mtown's OL rarely giving Davis (SC commit) time to set. Still you could see he is special with any time, with arm and legs.
** Mtown, takeaways were they have a respectable D that was unsupported by the offense despite a high end Qb given few opportunities.
** SJP, their Dfront is super impressive as are their running backs, physical hard runners. Like to see a few more screens to Bunch.
tulla I saw a late flag that was well after the play (PI) that incensed coach. Otherwise typical.
In my view it was a big mismatch at los with SJ's D overwhelming Mtown's OL rarely giving Davis (SC commit) time to set. Still you could see he is special with any time, with arm and legs.
** Mtown, takeaways were they have a respectable D that was unsupported by the offense despite a high end Qb given few opportunities.
** SJP, their Dfront is super impressive as are their running backs, physical hard runners. Like to see a few more screens to Bunch.
Well, before we get to the maybe Prep/ LaSalle rematch ,Prep/ Wood saturday with both teams noe utilizing sophomore QBs. Im not sure if Woods offense can move the ball against such a fast ,athletic defense of the Preps. Woods defense has some holes ,but certainly is solid . Im hoping for a good game.