"They like to spread you out, and they're real good at it," he said.
For the District 11 champions, Dan Harding, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior, has completed 229 of 337 passes for 3,448 yards and 31 touchdowns, with eight interceptions.
Said Gordon: "He's not a runner, but he throws well on the run and he can move around in the pocket."
Nazareth's top receivers are twins Adam (75 catches for 1,135 yards, 8 TDs) and Andrew Bridgeforth (55 for 956, 8), Alex Tonnies (37 for 590, 6), and Dan Shepherd (36 for 449, 8).
Keeping defenses honest, freshman Jordan Gray has rushed 244 times for 1,529 yards and 20 TDs. "He plays like he's a senior," Gordon said.
Nazareth's 4-3 defense is headed by linemen Aaron Bradley (64 tackles) and Dave Wilke (63), linebacker Shepherd (75), and backs Adam Bridgeforth (51), Andrew Bridgeforth, and Tonnies.
In Saturday's 28-14 triumph over Easton, Harding threw for 260 yards and three scores, and Gray netted 148 yards.
The Blue Eagles (12-1) are guided by Rob Melosky, who has compiled a 30-16 record in four seasons.
Harding will test a La Salle secondary that includes cornerbacks Dad Poquie and Chris Rocco, and safeties Sean Coleman and Jimmy Herron.
The Explorers' size advantage and playoff savvy will be the difference in a tight contest.
Pick: La Salle, 27-23.
Last week: 11-0. Overall: 108-34.
Class AAA
Friday, at 7 p.m. at Northeast, Pottsgrove (11-2) and Archbishop Wood (11-2) will square off in a Class AAA quarterfinal for the second time in three years. Wood eked out a 30-28 win in 2009.
Pottsgrove's spread-option offense is sparked by QB Tory Hudgins (193 carries for 1,449 yards, 27 TDs), fullback Robby Curtin, and halfbacks Danny Michaels and Marquis Barefield.
Saturday, in claiming their second district title with a 42-13 win over Pioneer Athletic Conference rival Phoenixville, the Falcons piled up 542 rushing yards on 50 attempts.
