La Salle plows out a win over Malvern Prep

MATT DiGIACOMO first made his mark as a La Salle High varsity football player as a defensive tackle.

But deep down, perhaps everyone should have figured he'd also become a darn important contributor on the offensive side of the ball.

After all, there was that time 3 years ago when the Explorers' freshman squad was playing Roman Catholic hard by the Art Museum and the situation called for a punt. But, no, there was a fake! And DiGiacomo, one of the protectors, ran about 40 yards for a touchdown!

"I saw a hole and it was, 'Jesus, here's my shot!'" DiGiacomo said, laughing. "A couple guys were diving at my legs, but I got around them.

"My only touchdown at La Salle. Probably the only time I touched the ball, really...Nah, there's no tape of it. And I didn't ask the coaches to make me a running back. I was just shocked I scored."

The 5-11, 265-pound DiGiacomo is now a senior, and he helps the Explorers' potent offense at guard, in addition to playing defensive tackle. Last night, in persistent to sometimes heavy rain at Plymouth-Whitemarsh, he helped La Salle churn out 296 yards in a 28-7 nonleague win over Malvern Prep.

Both teams are defending champions: La Salle in Catholic AAAA; Malvern in the Inter-Ac.

DiGiacomo started at d-tackle as a sophomore and figured he'd do the same in '08. But then a scrimmage vs. Archbishop Carroll did not go well, and the coaches tabbed DiGiacomo for two-way duty.

"I loved offense from the get-go. From that very first practice," DiGiacomo said. "I just like the whole idea of hitting people and coming off the ball as one to move the ball down the field. I love when we score. You just feel so enthusiastic. If I need a break now, I take it on defense.

"I got a lot of help last year from Sean Abbott. He was such a smart player. Those first couple weeks, all I did was listen to him on what I had to do every play. Then I felt comfortable."

In this one, Jamal Abdur-Rahman (26 carries, 151 yards) and Tim Wade ran for two touchdowns apiece, while Drew Loughery passed 10-for-16 for 120 yards. Abdur-Rahman departed late in the third quarter with an injured left knee, and Wade did his TD damage in the fourth.

Pat Resch and Kevin Forster made interceptions, and DiGiacomo notched three tackles.

For Malvern, Bob Scaramuzza ran for a 2-yard, third-quarter TD, while Chris O'Brien (10 tackles, forced fumble) and Joe DiTrolio (six solo stops) paced the defense. This was the debut of coach Kevin Pellegrini, who has replaced his wildly successful father, Gaspare "Gamp" Pellegrini.

DiGiacomo, for one, is quite the appreciated grunt. The others last night were center Ryan Geiger, guard Steve Szostak and tackles Steve Sinnott and Cameron Cappo.

"We always get good support," DiGiacomo said. "I guess Drew Loughery's the best. He's always telling us how well we're doing. Jamal's good with that, too."

DiGiacomo, who lives in Lafayette Hill, is hearing from an assortment of Division II and III schools. Part of him thinks he'll wind up in criminal justice. But since you already can find him in a kitchen, hey, he might decide to make his long-range mark in the restaurant business.

His family owns Maria's in his hometown, and Matt has advanced through the years from dishwasher to cook.

His specialty?

"Penne chicken with broccoli," he said.

Maybe he'll cook that meal for the team. And give more food to the offensive guys.i