La Salle cruises to District 12 championship

Like do-everything teammate Kevin Forster, La Salle's Mark DiFrangia soon will say goodbye to football and enter lacrosse-only mode.

For now, though, DiFrangia, bound for St. John's as a stick-wielding defenseman, is thoroughly enjoying his last go-round on the gridiron. Saturday, the 5-foot-9, 195-pounder played a leading role on defense as the Explorers earned their second straight PIAA District 12 Class AAAA title.

DiFrangia, an outside linebacker/strong safety, registered eight tackles, including six solos, as the defending state champions held overmatched Northeast to 74 yards and romped to their 10th straight victory, 35-0, at Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium.

John Steinmetz, La Salle's longtime defensive coordinator, "had me blitzing a lot," said DiFrangia, a third-year varsity member. "That put me in a position to make plays. That's a lot of fun, being let loose to attack and stop things before they get started."

The 6-2, 180-pound Forster, a standout midfielder in lacrosse and Maryland recruit, shined while occasionally taking quarterback Matt Magarity's spot and operating from the shotgun formation. Moving over from wide receiver, he carried nine times for 52 yards, including a pair of scores.

"Kevin is one of my close friends," said DiFrangia, of Fort Washington. "He filled in at quarterback when Matt was out with a concussion, so it's something he's comfortable doing. With his athleticism, he can make things happen."

After a bye week, the Explorers, 11-1 and ranked No. 1 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, will play the District 11 champ, Easton (11-1) or Whitehall (10-2), in a state quarterfinal the weekend of Dec. 3. La Salle ousted Easton, 17-14, in the snow last year.

Through three quarters, the Explorers limited Northeast, fresh off claiming its first Public League crown in 27 years, to 13 yards rushing and 26 passing.

"They're a machine," Vikings coach Chris Riley said. "They put on a clinic. The kids understand it was a learning experience. They showed up and wanted to do it, and I respect that."

In the first quarter, a 33-yard punt return by Jamal Abdur-Rahman set up Forster's 11-yard TD burst around left end. Minutes later, after Connor Reilly blocked Howard Lynn's punt, fullback Tim Wade (39 yards on six carries) found paydirt from the 13.

"Our special-teams play got us going in the beginning," La Salle coach Drew Gordon said. "We were able to take advantage of good field position."

In the second quarter, Abdur-Rahman, who rushed 12 times for 83 yards, capped an 11-play series with a 2-yard Wildcat run. The Villanova recruit's 7-yard TD scamper at the 8-minute, 4-second mark of the fourth quarter brought on the mercy rule and a running clock.

In addition to DiFrangia, who posted a third-quarter sack, La Salle's defensive leaders were end Joe Naji (four solo tackles, including two sacks) and inside linebacker Connor Daly (three stops). Abdur-Rahman, at cornerback, made a second-quarter interception.

Combined, Northeast sophomores David Pulliam and Marc Prompt hit on 7 of 23 passes for 74 yards. The Vikings (8-3) will close the season on Thanksgiving Day against traditional rival Central.

La Salle   14 7 7 7 – 35

Northeast   0 0 0 0 – 0

LS: Forster 11 run (Winslow kick)

LS: Wade 13 run (Winslow kick)

LS: Abdur-Rahman 2 run (Winslow kick)

LS: Forster 3 run (Winslow kick)

LS: Abdur-Rahman 7 run (Winslow kick)