La Salle ready for the challenge

The season starts with a mountain-sized challenge, as La Salle travels out to Harrisburg to take on powerful Bishop McDevitt.

And the Explorers wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We can’t wait. We’re looking forward to it,” said coach John Steinmetz. “McDevitt’s really good. They got some dudes. So we’re looking forward to going up there and representing our end of the state and our league. The kids are excited about it too.”

Friday’s contest kicks off a stacked schedule for La Salle, one that it will hope breeds a title contender.

“We have a great schedule so I’m really excited about it. I’m thinking I’m nuts now,” Steinmetz said with a smile, “but we’re playing some really good football teams. But right now the best team we’re playing is McDevitt because that’s next on the list.”

The Explorers return a good chunk of experience on both sides of the ball: eight on defense, six on offense.

And among the returners are multiple senior leaders.

“We have some good seniors on both sides of the ball,” said Abdul Carter, a standout linebacker who may also see some time at receiver. “I’m pumped, trying to get the team pumped up, get them as excited as I am. We’re looking forward to going undefeated and winning a state championship.”

The level of execution in the preseason practices offered further optimism.

“Everybody seems to be doing well (on offense), doing what they’re supposed to,” Steinmetz said. “We’re getting there. Every day we’re getting better, and that’s our motto.

“The kids are doing well (on the defense). They’re picking our stuff up. We have a couple things to clean up but I think we played pretty well Saturday (in our scrimmage with Neshaminy). We ran to the ball, we tackled, and we hustled.”

A cohesiveness among all three phases is essential, and La Salle feels it is developing just that.

“We have a good amount of starters coming back, and some new guys, but I feel like everybody – everybody, is ready,” said Sam Brown, a huge part of the offense both running and receiving.

Ryan Carr, who will start at left tackle but can also play center or guard if needed, is a key part of a sturdy offensive line.

“Coming off a shortened season of a year ago (due to the pandemic), a lot of guys are ready to go,” he said. “A lot of guys got more work in because we had a full offseason lifting program and all that. So we’re all stronger, faster, more prepared.

“For sure, (there was a much better flow to the offseason). We got a whole winter lifting session in. The only weird thing was that some guys had to be split up just to keep the numbers down (due to safety guidelines). But it was as close to normal as I think we’re gonna get for a good bit.”

Said Carr of the opener on Friday: “It’s always fun when we get to travel, go out and play some big games. It should be good.”

An added ingredient for the Explorers is kicking and punting of Santi Sturla.

“Our kicker’s marvelous. He can put the ball in the end zone on kickoffs and he punts the ball well so I think we should be really solid there,” said Steinmetz.