Bill, Brian and Kevin were football mainstays for La Salle High and, yes, so is Mike. But he'll also be wearing pads come springtime and, who knows, lacrosse someday might be his sole area of concentration.

"I don't have a preference at this point," Mike said. "I'm really up in the air. I like both sports a lot. I guess it'll come down to which sport gives me the chance for the most money and the best education.

"In lacrosse, we're coming off a state championship, so that sport's a pretty big deal at La Salle and very enjoyable."

Last night was a hoot, as well.

The Explorers opened their season with a 45-0, nonleague dismantling of host Plymouth-Whitemarsh and Donohoe, a 6-foot, 195-pound senior who serves, like many, as an all-purpose back, turned in quite the impressive performance.

On 16 carries, he produced 106 yards and two touchdowns. He also made three receptions for 37 yards and uncorked a 45-yarder on his only punt of the night. A quick kick, no less.

"I wouldn't say it was that nice of a punt," Donohoe said, laughing. "They told me to line up as the [shotgun] quarterback and just get rid of it. I was close to the line, so I had to hurry. It got a good roll and Connor Hoffman did a great job of downing it at about the 1-inch line."

Mike is the last of seven children, following Bill, Kelly, Megan, Bridget, Brian and Kevin, in order. Bill, now 30, is a teacher at La Salle and member of the basketball staff (former football aide, too.) Kelly, a softball player at Drexel, was the most prominent athlete among the girls.

"From Bill, I learned about line play," Mike said. "From Brian, it was running-back play and from Kevin it was how to play defense. Well, really, I learned most of the football stuff from my dad [Bill], who coached me at St. Matt's in Mayfair.

"Though I didn't play defense tonight, I'm told they'll be mixing me in later this season. Probably at cornerback. Where I played last year."

Donohoe, who's also a first cousin of recent St. Joseph's Prep multisport stars Bill and Tim Edger, made an almost immediate impact. The Explorers' first drive covered 51 yards in five plays. He handled two through five, rushing for 16 yards, making a 16-yard reception from Drew Loughery (11-for-18, 183) and then adding runs for 5 yards and a 1-yard score.

"In our offense, there are lots of weapons," he said. "Every guy can run or go out for passes. You can line up anywhere.

"I mostly made my catches on fullback waggle plays, where I wound up out in the flat. I didn't show much more than running before. But I want to be more than a runner. It feels awesome to show versatility."

He wasn't alone. Jamal Abdur-Rahman scored one TD apiece via rush and reception and his six touches (three apiece) totaled 68 yards.

Other receiving headliners were Sam Feleccia (2-60, TD) and Hoffman (3-47). Kevin Farrington and Vinny Migliarese pilfered passes, Joe Radaszewski recovered two fumbles and Mike Bennett went 6-for-6 on PAT while adding a 37-yard field goal.

"We have a real good offense," Donohoe said. "Our line really opened the holes tonight."

In varied ways, Mike Donohoe took advantage. *