GAME ONE SATURDAY
Cincinnati La Salle (OH) vs. Indianapolis Cathedral
(IN)
Game Time: 11:30 AM
Nippert Stadium, University of
Cincinnati
La Salle High School (Lancers)
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Head Coach: Tom Grippa
2007 Record 1-0
The Lancers defeated Covington Catholic (KY) 34-7 in week one of
the Ohio High School season.
Covington Catholic is the defending Kentucky AAA State Champion and
considered one of the Bluegrass states top programs.
The
Lancers have several players to watch on both sides of the ball. Heading the way is senior wide receiver
and Ohio State commitment DeVier Posey.
Posey has shown he’s a threat anywhere on the field and has a solid
quarterback in senior Brendan Jones to get him the ball. Senior running back Kendall Owens may
only be 5-foot-7, but he’s got speed to burn and is the perfect setup for junior
running back Tim Edmond who is fast getting on the radar of college
coaches.
On
defense the Lancers do a nice job up front with Alex Kummer and Kentucky
commitment Chandler Burden. The
play up front allows for the Lancers linebackers to use their speed and strength
to shut down opposing offenses.
Leading the way is Cincinnati commitment J.K. Schaffer who brings speed
and strength to the field and underrated Bilal Clemons. A younger player to keep an eye on is
defensive back Ricky Steele.
This
is a great test for La Salle as their schedule is full of quality teams in and
out of league play.
Indianapolis Cathedral (Fighting
Irish)
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Head Coach: Jim O’Hara
2007 Record 1 – 1
The
Fighting Irish enter the classic as the defending Indiana 4A State
Champion. The Hoosier State is
already two weeks old and the Irish have already suffered their first defeat at
the hands of Carmel 28-21 in week one.
They rebounded nicely in week two defeating Pleasure Ridge Park (KY) this
past weekend 35-7 and look to show Hoosier football is as good as any state out
there. This will not be the only
battle the Irish will have with a team from the Greater Catholic League in 07,
they’ll also battle Cincinnati Moeller on October 12.
On
offense senior quarterback Andrew Pimemtel is in his first season as a starter
after missing most of his junior season with a thigh injury. In the Irish’s first two games he’s
shown he’s in total control of the offense and is a serious threat. Pimemtel gives the Irish a dual threat
to run or pass. In their first two
games, Pimemtel has passed for 369 yards and 8 touchdowns with a completion
percentage of 65%. His only
downside so far is he’s thrown 3 interceptions in the process. On the ground the senior signal caller
has rushed 20 times for 113 yards.
After
two games Pimemtel has gone to senior Jack Doyle who is a 6-foot7,225 pound
tight end and fellow senior Jack Lupo who pulled in 7 balls for 182 yards and 4
touchdowns in their week two contest.
The Irish have a good offensive line headed by 6-foot-4, 310-pound Pete
Mattingly but must find a stable running back. A player looking to take the main
running back role is sophomore Nick Najem who gained 127 yards in week
one.
One
defense the Irish employs an attacking style using speed. They have a nice group of linebackers
headed by senior linebacker and Purdue commitment Robert Maci. He’s joined by senior Max Davis who is
the team’s leading returning tackler and junior Kakpindi Jamiru. Brennan
Olvaney, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound defensive back will look to shut down the Lancers
passing game. The Irish have proven
they’re tough against the run and will be tested when they take on La Salle
Saturday morning.
The
Irish have a strong program with several former players having made a mark in
the college and pro ranks with the biggest name being Mark Clayton who played at
Louisville and made five Pro Bowls as a member of the Miami Dolphins.