La Salle makes an opening statement with win over McDevitt
La Salle, the secondranked team in the state, began its season with an impressive 21-0 shutout of Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg) Friday night on the road.
The Explorer defense stiffened when it had to and the offense found success with a power run game.
Sophomore back Stevie Davis took it right up the gut for the Explorers’ first score, breaking free for a 7-0 La Salle lead.
Davis barrelled in for his second touchdown later in the game. Also, senior Dominic Martin took a screen pass from senior quarterback Alan Paturzo and weaved his way in for the TD.
La Salle gets Malvern Prep on the road next.
UPPER MORELAND 21, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 7 >> The defending Suburban One League American Conference champs played like it on Friday night, winning a tough defensive battle with their non-conference rival. Upper Moreland’s defense rose to the occasion, led by Owen Dunleavy (12 tackles). The Golden Bears dented the scoreboard first, on a Byron Hopkins-to-Ryan Olexa connection, good for 14 yards and a 7-0 advantage. Upper Moreland later broke a 7-7 tie when Hopkins hit Stephen Broderick for a score and the Golden Bears added the two-point conversion to make it 15-7. Upper Moreland closed out the scoring when Cameryn Jackson scored a five-yard touchdown run on a sweep. For the Golden Bears, Hopkins completed 11 of 17 passes for 174 yards and his two touchdowns. Jackson
grinded out 94 yards on the ground and a TD. Upper Moreland hosts Archbishop Ryan in Week Two.
ABINGTON 19, CHELTENHAM 7 >> The Ghosts broke a 7-7 halftime tie with a safety and a field goal in the third quarter, then added a touchdown in the fourth to lock it up. The Ghosts travel to North Penn next week while Cheltenham hits the road to take on Frankford.
SPRINGFIELD MONTCO 35, SCHUYLKILL VALLEY 7 >> The Spartans rolled on opening night, playing well on both sides of the ball to get the non-league win. Springfield tries to make it 2-0 when it hosts Academy of the New Church next week.
FATHER JUDGE 21, LANSDALE CATHOLIC 7 >> In the battle of the Judge Crusaders and LC Crusaders, Judge found a bit more traction offensively in the opener and held on for the victory. LC will try to even its record when it heads to Ocean City (N.J.) next weekend to take on Pottsgrove.
GREAT VALLEY 29, WILLIAM TENNENT 7 >> The Panthers showed flashes in their nonleague opener with Great Valley and will look for consistency moving forward. Tennent will try to get into the win column when it hosts Academy Park next week.
BELMONT CHARTER SCHOOL
26, LOWER MORELAND 12 >> The Lions couldn’t quite rally back in their nonleague battle with Belmont. Lower Moreland hosts Upper Perk in Week Two.