Prep, La Salle renew high-stakes rivalry

Here we go again.

La Salle and St. Joseph's Prep are set to clash for the Catholic League Class AAAA crown for the fourth straight year and fifth time in seven seasons.

The archrivals will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at Plymouth Whitemarsh. At the same site five weeks ago, the Prep pulled away down the stretch and prevailed, 49-24, before a packed crowd.

The Hawks (7-2) have won five straight in the head-to-head series and lead overall, 47-35-5.

A fast start keyed the Prep's regular-season win Oct. 17. Gabe Infante's squad led by 28-7 early in the second quarter. La Salle, aided by three turnovers, climbed back in and cut the gap to 28-24.

If the Explorers (6-3) are to end the Hawks' two-year league reign, they need strong efforts from their defense and special-teams units.

Terrence Greene scored on an 89-yard kickoff return and Benny Walls escaped for a 66-yard TD run early on in Round 1. Walls later turned a screen toss into a 68-yard strike.

"Our defensive line needs to recognize the screen better," La Salle first-year boss John Steinmetz said. "And we need better play out of our secondary to keep it contained."

Blue-chip recruit D'Andre Swift, a true breakaway threat, capped the triumph with scoring bursts of 13 and 39 yards. He netted 158 yards on 22 attempts.

Said Steinmetz: "He's really, really good. He's going to get his yards. We just can't give up the big play to him or [Walls]. It has to be 11 hats to the ball."

For the season, Swift has carried 152 times for 1,011 yards and 11 TDs. QB Kevin Shaw has connected on 67 of 132 passes for 873 yards and 10 TDs.

Leading the charge for La Salle's defense are linemen Matt McDermott, Anthony Piscopo, Chris Maloney, and Garrett Zobel.

Support comes from linebackers Austin Lemke, Kohler Setley and Jared Walls, cornerbacks Nick Rinella and Charles Headen, and safeties Isaiah Jones, Tom Flavin, and Tre McNeill.

Offensively, La Salle's catalysts are Rinella, a speedy all-purpose threat, and halfbacks Jones and Syaire Madden (145 carries for 900 yards, 11 TDs). QB Chris Ferguson has hit on 76 of 132 throws for 1,026 yards and 11 scores.

The Prep's defensive anchors are end Joe DuMond, the league's most valuable player, linebackers Nick Vandevere and James Johnson, and safeties Walls and Zach Goss.

The Explorers equaled the Hawks' three turnovers in last month's contest. They fumbled twice in the opening six minutes. "We have to take better care of the ball," Steinmetz said.

Extra points. Upper Moreland's Casey Decker has completed 53 of 101 passes for 800 yards and nine TDs. . . . West Chester Rustin sophomore Ty Pringle carried 171 times for 1,272 yards and 20 TDs. . . . Harriton's Patrick Stewart hit on 165 of 310 throws for 1,510 yards and 10 TDs. . . . Delco Christian's Nazim Trammell-Wells has rushed 113 times for 1,342 yards and 15 scores. . . . Council Rock South's Brendan Patterson carried 156 times for 1,141 yards and 15 TDs. . . . New Hope-Solebury's Blake Hildebrandt has 43 catches for 670 yards and eight touchdowns. . . . Marple Newtown's Abel Hoff has 64 receptions for 1,010 yards and 10 TDs. . . . Downingtown East cornerback Jeremy Jennings has six interceptions, with two pick-sixes.

robrien@phillynews.com

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