It’s week 8 and it was Tiger on Tiger time as LaSalle went against their longtime district rival St. Mary’s. The battle at Turpin Stadium showed that LaSalle belongs in talks of district contention as it pertains to District 3 in Division IV.
The St. Mary’s coach had a variety of formations that make them tough to prepare for as they are balanced with a good passing attack as well as running game. But, LaSalle had come in with a gameplan to match the variety as well as the physicality the game calls for each year.
It always comes down to a handful of plays in closer games and in this instance St. Mary’s senior-heavy class had those plays go their way and got the win.
LaSalle came in with a great game plan of their own and made great adjustments throughout the game. Even though they came up short, as the game concluded, there was consensus among the young team that they will be ready for a similar test next week as they make the long drive to Logansport.
In the first quarter, St. Mary’s received the opening kickoff at the 50 yard line and started the game with their passing attack. After a bubble screen and a near intercepted throw over the middle, the score was 7-0.
LaSalle went to their running game and powered forward for a couple plays but came up just short on a fourth down conversion.
St. Mary’s got greedy on the ensuing drive and faked a field goal on 4th down, but LaSalle sniffed it out and forced a turnover on downs as well. The offense was forced to punt, and St. Mary’s was knocking on the door again to score at the end of the quarter.
The 2nd quarter was the best quarter for LaSalle. The St. Mary’s attempt to score turned sour due to a clutch interception by senior Caiden Finley. Following this new wave of momentum, LaSalle’s three-headed monster rushing attack of Wyatt King, Tuff Street and Jessey Stowe took over and marched down the field.
It took a couple of fourth down conversions and a whopping seven minutes off the clock, but Mason Lee’s three-yard touchdown run made it 7-6. St. Mary’s answered back before the half to make it 14-6.
The second half was a defensive struggle for the most part, but the deciding factor of the game was a couple of long runs by the senior running back for St. Mary’s. LaSalle saw some flashes of good runs and passing plays that built some momentum for next week; but for this week’s game, that was all the scoring done as the final was St. Mary’s 28, LaSalle 6.
Next week’s away game is the biggest game of the season as they face the #6 team in the state in the Logansport Tigers (yes, they are the Tigers as well. Everybody loves the Tigers). Please make the long drive to the Texas state line and support the young men when they need it the most on Halloween night this Friday!
