An eventful first half Saturday seemed like a boxing match, as both teams went back and forth, with La Salle holding a 21-13 lead at the end of it.
In the first quarter, both teams seemed to be adjusting to the windy weather and feeling each other out. With 4 minutes, 21 seconds remaining in the period, senior quarterback Chris Kane, playing with an ankle sprain suffered in the teams' last meeting, found senior receiver Sean Coleman for a 12-yard scoring pass.
Roman tight end Patrick McCourt scored on the first play of the second quarter, catching a fourth-down pass from Mike Keir. Senior Chris Rocco took the ensuing kickoff deep into Cahillites territory, and on the next play, sophomore Jimmy Herron found himself wide open for a 25-yard touchdown pass from Kane.
After Roman turned over the ball on the La Salle 8-yard line, the Explorers gave it right back with an interception that Roman turned into a Keir touchdown.
Unlike in the first half, the defenses held their ground after intermission until five minutes into the fourth, when senior Mike Eife scored from 68 yards on Herron's first pass attempt of the game. The score made it a two-possession game, at 28-13.
The Explorers defense came away with a big sack on fourth down with five minutes remaining, essentially sealing the game.
"We didn't put any pressure on Keir until the third quarter," Gordon said. "We didn't give up many points, but we gave up too many yards."
Another Herron touchdown made it 35-13.
Herron, running out of the wildcat mostly, compiled 152 yards and a score on 20 carries. Kane, who also lined up at quarterback, finished 7 for 12 for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
"We're not worried as much about keeping the streak going as we are about winning it for our team," Kane said. He paused then added, "But it's definitely in the back of our minds."
La Salle 7 14 0 21 – 42
Roman Catholic 0 13 0 0 – 13
L: Sean Coleman 12 pass from Chris Kane (Ryan Winslow kick)
RC: Patrick McCourt 29 pass from Mike Keir (Phillip Issac kick)
L: Jimmy Herron 25 pass from Kane (Winslow kick)
RC: Keir 8 run (kick blocked)
L: Mike Eife 1 run (Winslow kick)
L: Eife 68 pass from Herron (Winslow kick)
L: Herron 11 run (Winslow kick)
L: Zaire Franklin 62 interception return (Winslow kick)
Contact Brandon Stoneburg at rallysports@phillynews.com.
