Roman Catholic enters Saturday night's Catholic League Class AAAA opener against La Salle with payback in mind.
The Cahillites bowed twice to the Explorers last season. La Salle won by 43-17 in the regular season and by 35-16 in the league final six weeks later.
It should be noted that the Cahillites were without quarterback Mike Keir for most of the first meeting. He injured his left knee on the game's first play and did not return.
Here is a closer look at Saturday's matchup, set for 7 p.m. at Northeast High's Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium.
Rankings. La Salle is ranked No. 2 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. Roman is No. 10.
Coaches. Drew Gordon is 54-17 in six seasons at La Salle. For Roman, Joe McCourt, a former star rusher for the Cahillites, is 21-17 in four years.
Quick fact I. Jim Murphy, who compiled a 64-34 record at Roman and guided the Cahillites to a Catholic League Red Division title in 2007, is back as an assistant to McCourt. He works with the offensive line and defense.
Quick fact II. Roman's last win over La Salle came in October 2007.
Quality slasher. In Roman's 33-14 romp over Cardinal O'Hara last Saturday, senior tailback Marcus Kelly carried 29 times for 324 yards and three touchdowns. For the season, he has netted 555 yards and six scores.
Go-to guy. Tim Wade, moving over from fullback, has replaced Jamal Abdur-Rahman, now at Villanova, as La Salle's top ballcarrier. The senior has rushed for 130-plus yards in each of the last two games.
Quotable. McCourt on Wade: "He's almost tougher to prepare for than Abdur-Rahman because he runs so hard."
Signal-callers. La Salle's Matt Magarity has passed for 570 yards and seven TDs. Keir has thrown for 751 yards and five TDs.
Injury update. For Roman, outside linebacker Chris Cruz (concussion) and two-way back Dimetri Kelly (ankle) are expected back. The Cahillites' Jim Logan, a 6-4, 305-pound tackle, will be out at least another week with a foot injury.
Pick: La Salle, 24-20.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter. Read his blog, "The O'Zone," at www.philly.com/ozone.
