North Penn, La Salle kick off the 2022 season
Perennial powers and non-league rivals North Penn and La Salle will start their 2022 seasons against each other, as the Explorers travel to Crawford Stadium Friday evening for a Week One battle.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
North Penn is coming off a tremendous 2021 season. The Knights went 10-0 in the regular season and reached the District 1-6A Quarterfinals, falling to Ridley.
La Salle too is coming off quite a season, as the Explorers went 8-1 in the regular season and reached the District 12-6A Final, falling to St. Joe’s Prep.
It’s the first meeting between North Penn and La Salle since 2019 – prior to that, the two squads had met every season for several years.
North Penn quarterback Ryan Zeltt leads the Knights into 2022. A season ago, he threw for 1,842 yards and 24 touchdowns in earning All-SOL National Conference first-team honors.
An experienced offensive line will look to create a wall around Zeltt, whose receiving corps gained a key addition in transfer Yahzeed Haynes, a Georgia verbal commit.
Junior Rashad McNeill and seniors Xavier Bryan and Nick Hoffman should factor into the passing game as well as Haynes, who Rivals.com ranks as the No. 3 recruit in the state.
Senior lineman Darold Dengohe, a 2021 All-Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division first team selection and James Madison verbal commit, leads the La Salle defense.
Dengohe, who last season per easternpafootball.com’s Ed Palmer tied for the team lead in sacks with six and second in total tackles at 75, is one of eight returning starters for an Explorer defense that allowed just 11.5 points per game in 2021.
The Explorers posted three shutouts a season ago.
All-PCL Red Division receivers Ryan Sorge and Nole Henry – both seniors – give the Explorers two speedy weapons to rely on.
The North Penn defense, meanwhile, has a tough group of linebackers in junior Dave Dawes (missed 2021 due to injury), and seniors Luke Cody and James Mangine.
La Salle at North Penn
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at North Penn.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Last year: North Penn went 10-0 in the regular season and reached the District 1-6A Quarters. La Salle went 8-1 and then made it to the District 12-6A Final.
Key players: North Penn quarterback Ryan Zeltt leads a potent Knight offense while senior lineman Darold Dengohe anchors a tough Explorer defense.
Prediction: North Penn 21, La Salle 14.
