Once again, without Jerome Brewer, Jr. on the road in Missouri on Saturday, as they fell in an away game to #19 St. Louis University (23–1) by a final score of 82–58.
The Billikens extended their home win streak to 19 games dating back to last year and 17 in a row this year.
Credit: La Salle Men’s Basketball-Twitter/X
Guard Ishan Sharma knocked down five three-pointers for St. Louis in the win.
It’s been a decade since LaSalle College High School had beaten St. Joe’s Prep to win the 2015 Catholic League Championship. On Saturday at Villanova Stadium in Radnor Township — it was LaSalle who defeated St. Joe’s Prep (5–5) 24–14 in the PIAA Class 6A District Twelve Semifinal.
The 9–1 LaSalle Explorers struck first — getting on the board with a touchdown reception from Owen Johnson. The connection between he and quarterback Gavin Sidwar would pay dividends again in the second quarter — giving LaSalle a 14–7 lead at halftime. St. Joe’s Prep would pull within 17–14 in the third quarter thanks to a touchdown reception from Marvin Harrison’s son Jett Harrison — before the Explorers sealed the Championship win with a seven-yard scoring run by Sidwar.
Gavin Sidwar has committed to the University of Missouri. Last season — the St. Joe’s Prep Hawks defeated LaSalle in the Catholic League 6A Championship Game to end their season.
NCAA Football is Once Again a Philly Autumn Obsession.
But Is the Local Feel Fading Away?
Suppose you haven’t gotten an opportunity to take in some great Pennsylvania High School Football yet this fall. In that case, you still have plenty of time to enjoy a Friday night frenzy or Saturday spectacular at many Philadelphia area high school fields or stadiums.
You may even get an opportunity to see a 4th and short trademarked Philadelphia bulldozing, pile-driving-tush push — but not from the Eagles (at least not until Sunday).
For most of us, fall plans of leaf raking and errand running must be worked on Saturday around the national obsession of college football.
However, seeing some of the nation’s marquee matchups is proving more difficult in the Philadelphia area each year.
Temple Football
PHOTO: Danny Wild/Imagn Images
Temple Football, the preeminent Football Program in Philadelphia dating back to 1894 and once influenced by the great Pop Warner, hasn’t gone to a bowl game since 2019 and hasn’t won one since 2017.
Between 1990 and 2009, Temple Football didn’t have a winning season. Instead, it held on to the promise of a newly constructed stadium in Philadelphia, which has not yet happened.
LaSalle Football
LaSalle College and then LaSalle University — who developed a football program during the US Depression era in 1931 until it was discontinued in 2007 due to funding issues. From 1931 until 2007, the football program had only seven winning seasons.
We’ll have to wait to see if the beginnings of a resurgence in LaSalle’s athletic programs beginning in 2025 will include a return to football.
Villanova Football
Perhaps Philadelphia’s saving grace in football lies in its suburbs. Villanova, with a combined record of 647–495–41 (a winning percentage of .564), a legacy since 1894, and one claimed National Championship in 2009. Or the University of Delaware — with its six Division I FCS National Titles, 24 playoff appearances, and 17 Conference Titles.
Penn Football
Sitting snugly on the University of Penn campus is one hundred thirty-year-old Franklin Field, whose Gilded-Age Era exterior facade of Weightman Hall has seen six of Penn’s seven national championships, last won in 1924.
The Eagles beat the Packers in 1960, and the Philadelphia Stars won a USFL title in 1984. It is the oldest college football stadium still in use today.
The Philadelphia region’s PIAA already boasts one of the best high school football programs in the country.
Its surrounding PA suburbs deserve the same great experience on Saturday as on Friday.
PHOTO: Danny Wild/Imagn Images