La Salle’s focus always on St. Joseph’s Prep

SPRINGFIELD — All things seem swell at La Salle College High School in terms of football.

The Explorers have adapted well to new head coach John Steinmetz, the basic principles of the offense and defense have remained essentially the same and the team has a pair of explosive inserts into its offense in the persons of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy transfer Syaire Madden and Germantown Academy transfer Isaiah Jones.

But through all of the sunshine and lollipops there remains a major gorilla in the room — and its name is Saint Joseph’s Prep.

The Hawks, the two-time defending state champs and the Explorers’ most bitter of rivals, are once again ranked first in the state and expected to be in the conversation when the trophies are being handed out in December.

“At the end of the day, we have to beat Prep,” acknowledged Steinmetz, long-time assistant and defensive coordinator who took over as head coach, replacing Drew Gordon, “but we have a lot to take care of before that.”

The “a lot” in question includes non-league meetings with North Penn, DeMatha Catholic and McDonough and Archbishop Wood, which open the season, and a Philadelphia Catholic League slate which is traditionally landmine-laden.

“The transition has been great,” said Explorers quarterback Chris Ferguson, who must fill the shoes of now-Vanderbilt freshman Kyle Shurmur. “Everything is familiar, it’s just the terminology is a little different. It’s the same concepts, but everyone is picking it up easily.

“Coach wants us to take things one game at a time and get better every week.”

Offensively, under new offensive coordinator Ryan Doyle, the Explorers will rise or fall on Ferguson’s efficiency in the multiple offense, and he has two major playmakers in the aforementioned Madden and Jones.

“They’re really good players,” said Steinmetz, “and they have fit right into the La Salle culture.”

Defensively, La Salle remains virtually unchanged as Steinmetz said he has little need to change a system that’s been successful for at least a decade and a half.

The defensive returnees include Anthony Piscopo up front and Nick Rinella and Charles Headen in the secondary.

“Even with the guys we have back, we’ve gotten a lot of help from our underclassmen,” said returning offensive lineman Matt McDermott. “The young guys have been stepping up and helping a lot.”

“Right now we have to focus on facing a lot of the better teams on our schedule, like DeMatha, McDonough and Archbishop Wood,” added offensive lineman Jim Morrisey. “The name St. Joe Prep always comes up in meetings, but we have to work on getting better every week.”

Top Photo: Syaire Madden runs through the line during La Salle College High School’s football practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. (Adrianna Hoff/—The Times Herald)