La Salle is hoping quickness beats size
North Allegheny will be out to keep the Explorers from a second straight title.
La Salle is back for a second helping.
The Explorers, looking to repeat as PIAA Class AAAA state football champions, take on District 7's North Allegheny in a Saturday final set for 5 o'clock at HersheyPark Stadium.
North Allegheny, located in Wexford, about 15 miles north of Pittsburgh, is trying for its first state crown since it beat Ridley, 21-14, in 1990.
Here is a closer look at the game:
Coaches. North Allegheny's Art Walker has a record of 115-40 (.742 winning percentage) in 12 years. He coached at Pittsburgh Central Catholic from 1998 to 2004. For La Salle, Drew Gordon is 51-15 (.773) in five seasons.
TV. The game will be televised live on the Pennsylvania Cable Network.
Quick facts. The Tigers' lone loss came in Week 9 against North Hills. La Salle has not committed a turnover in the last 31/4 games (157 minutes).
Sidelined. North Allegheny's Alex Papson, a senior halfback and third-year starter, suffered a season-ending dislocated collarbone in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League final against Woodland Hills.
This season, Papson, who is hearing from the Division I-AA likes of New Hampshire and Richmond, carried 303 times for 2,482 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Filling the void. Papson has been replaced by three rotating halfbacks: Matt Steinbeck (41 carries for 385 yards), Vinnie Congedo (64 for 359), and Alex DiCiantis.
On a roll. Since a Week 2 loss to Bergen Catholic (N.J.), La Salle has won 12 straight games by a combined score of 423-110.
Passers. North Allegheny senior quarterback Mike Buchert has hit on 60 of 126 throws for 1,097 yards and 11 TDs. La Salle's Matt Magarity, a junior who missed three games with a concussion, is 80 for 145 for 1,149 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Scheme. The Tigers run the ball 70 percent of the time, mostly from the I-formation. They will try to catch La Salle off guard with bootleg and play-action passes.
Stout bunch. North Allegheny's senior-dominated offensive line is anchored by left tackle Justin Haser (6-5, 245), right guard Vince Czerniewski (6-1, 280), and tight end Rob Kugler (6-4, 245).
Division I recruits. Haser and Kugler, both of whom double as defensive ends, are headed to Ohio and Purdue, respectively.
Defense. The Tigers' 4-4 defense, yielding 8.4 points a game, is headed by Kugler; Haser; inside linebackers Seth Marx and Kevin Cope; outside linebacker Lucas Hook; and Steinbeck, a free safety.
Analysis. North Allegheny, with its overall size, poses more of a threat than State College, last year's final opponent. But look for La Salle's overall quickness and run-stuffing defense, led by tackle Ryan Geiger and end Joe Naji, to pave the road to repeat gold.
Pick: La Salle, 27-14.
Projected Starters for La Salle and North Allegheny
North Allegheny (14-1)
OFFENSE
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.
2 James Kleinhampl WR 6-1 170 Jr.
53 Justin Haser LT 6-5 245 Sr.
65 Zach Harvey LG 6-2 220 Jr.
58 Peter Thistle C 6-1 220 Jr.
59 Vince Czerniewski RG 6-1 280 Sr.
57 Patrick Kugler RT 6-4 270 So.
84 Rob Kugler TE 6-4 245 Sr.
13 Dan Slivka WR 6-3 190 Sr.
10 Michael Buchert QB 5-10 160 Sr.
25 Nick Passodelis FB 5-11 200 Jr.
39 Matt Steinbeck HB 6-1 195 Sr.
DEFENSE
84 Rob Kugler DE 6-4 245 Sr.
58 Peter Thistle DT 6-1 220 Jr.
59 Vince Czerniewski DT 6-1 280 Sr.
53 Justin Haser DE 6-5 245 Sr.
80 Lucas Hook OLB 6-2 175 Sr.
38 Seth Marx ILB 6-0 200 Sr.
47 Kevin Cope ILB 5-10 200 Sr.
12 Kevin Clemens OLB 5-11 190 Jr.
13 Dan Slivka CB 6-3 190 Sr.
11 Steve Ferringer CB 6-2 175 Sr.
39 Matt Steinbeck FS 6-1 195 Sr.
La Salle (13-1)
OFFENSE
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.
9 Kevin Forster WR 6-2 180 Sr.
70 Dan Ezzo LT 6-5 235 Sr.
61 Cameron Cappo LG 6-2 215 Sr.
67 Ryan Geiger C 6-1 260 Sr.
77 Matt Maginnis RG 6-3 220 Jr.
55 Joe Naji RT 6-2 225 Sr.
6 Colin Buckley TE 6-3 180 Jr.
7 Sean Coleman WR 5-9 160 So.
17 Matt Magarity QB 6-0 180 Jr.
33 Tim Wade FB 5-9 185 Jr.
22 Jamal Abdur-Rahman HB 5-10 180 Sr.
DEFENSE
55 Joe Naji DE 6-2 225 Sr.
67 Ryan Geiger DT 6-1 260 Sr.
68 Kieran Trainer DT 6-2 230 Sr.
61 Cameron Cappo DE 6-2 215 Sr.
44 Sean Burke LB 5-11 205 Jr.
31 Connor Daly LB 6-0 195 Sr.
34 Mark DiFrangia LB 5-10 190 Sr.
22 Jamal Abdur-Rahman CB 5-10 180 Sr.
7 Sean Coleman CB 5-9 160 So.
28 Conor Murphy SS 5-10 160 Sr.
9 Kevin Forster FS 6-2 180 Sr.
- Rick O'Brien
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