LaSalle’s trip to Beekman Charter last Friday night had all the makings of a classic homecoming spoiler, and the Tigers nearly pulled it off in a wild, back-and-forth battle that showcased grit, explosiveness and no shortage of drama before falling 40-34.
LaSalle opened the night with exactly the tone it wanted, forcing Beekman Charter into a quick three-and-out and grabbing early momentum. But starting deep in its own territory at the 5-yard line proved costly. An untimely fumble on the first play handed Beekman prime field position, and the home team capitalized to go up 6-0.
The Tigers didn’t blink. LaSalle marched right back down the field, leaning on senior Wyatt King, who bulldozed his way into the end zone from 2 yards out to tie the game at 6-6. The Tigers immediately followed with a forced fumble, but a stalled drive and punt gave Beekman another short field. Charter struck again, ending the first quarter ahead 12-6.
The Tigers’ identity sharpened in the second quarter. King continued to punish Beekman’s defense, powering through tacklers and punching in another touchdown. This time, LaSalle converted the two-point try, taking a 14-12 lead.
Sophomore quarterback Luke Lasiter then showed off his arm strength, firing a 20-yard strike to fellow sophomore Kasen Maxwell for another score. The Tigers again converted the two-point try, stretching the lead to 22-12 and silencing the homecoming crowd.
But Beekman responded with a deep strike of its own just before halftime, adding a two-point conversion to trim La-Salle’s lead to 22-20 at the break.
Beekman opened the third quarter with a defensive stop and another touchdown, jumping ahead 26-22. The Bears forced another stop, and momentum seemed to be slipping away until LaSalle’s defense delivered a huge interception. The Tigers went right back to their bread and butter as King bullied his way into the end zone yet again, reclaiming the lead at 28-26.
Beekman answered with a long, clock-draining drive to start the fourth quarter, converting another two-point try to go up 34-28. LaSalle pushed deep into Beekman territory on the next possession, but a late intentional grounding penalty, called after several minutes of deliberation, pushed the Tigers into a brutal third-and-40. They couldn’t convert, turning the ball over on downs.
Beekman added another touchdown to extend the lead, but LaSalle refused to fold. With time running out, Lasiter hit sophomore Brayden Tannehill on a massive 58-yard gain. Senior Alex Richmond then caught a 1-yard touchdown pass, slicing the deficit to 40-34 and giving LaSalle a chance.
The onside kick didn’t take the bounce the Tigers needed, and Beekman held on for the win.
Despite the loss, LaSalle’s performance was anything but disappointing. The Tigers went toe-to-toe with a larger Beekman Charter squad, matched its physicality, and showcased a core of rising underclassmen who continue to shine.
King’s power, Lasiter’s poise, Maxwell and Richmond’s hands, and Tannehill’s explosiveness all point to a team that’s growing fast and capable of beating anyone on its schedule.
LaSalle’s next opponent is a larger 3A Buckeye squad. The Tigers will look to bounce back and continue displaying their physicality this week in Deville.
