BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW October 8, 2011
In a battle of the Blue against the White, it was the team from the upper division, Brother Rice, that got the victory over its Catholic League counterparts, as it defeated De La Salle 42-14 in a Catholic League crossover Friday night. Continue reading
BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW September 3, 2011
De La Salle used the legs of Mikale Wilbon for the second consecutive week as it overcame a halftime deficit to claim a 30-22 comeback win against visiting Gordon Tech Friday.
“Gordon is a good team and they scouted our stuff really well,’’ Wilbon said. “They watched our tape and executed their plays well, but we were able to overcome it and pull out the win.’’
The Meteors (2-0) got on the board first, as they took a 13-play drive and turned it into a 27-yard field goal by Jonathan Hope.
But the Rams got it back real fast, as Habeeb Durojaiye returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to put the visitors ahead.
“They saw our coverage and saw we weren’t covering the edges,’’ De La Salle coach Dan O’Keefe said. “We gave them that and they were able to exploit it. We can’t do that.’’
After combining for 24 points in the entire first half, the two teams combined for 21 points in the first 1:58 of the second half.
After Gordon (1-1) fumbled the opening kickoff of the half, Wilbon, who finished the game with 30 carries, 247 yards and three touchdowns, scored the first of his touchdowns on a five-yard rush.
Durojaiye then returned his second kickoff down the right sideline for a touchdown, this one 84 yards.
Wilbon scored the second of his scores on the next possession, as he rushed for a 22-yard score, finishing a drive that saw him run for 40 yards.
Wilbon scored his last touchdown on a 90-yard run after the defense stuffed the Rams at the 10-yard line.
“I was really worried bout the game,’’ O’Keefe said. “This is a really good team and that quarterback (Julian Russell) is a great quarterback.’’
Russell finished with 91 yards rushing on 19 carries. He also scored on a 26-yard keeper.
De La Salle handles Lane with ease
BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW August 26, 2011
It took longer than De La Salle would have expected, but the Meteors finally picked up school victory No. 400. And they did it in grand fashion. Sophomore running back Mikale Wilbon rushed for 260 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half, as the host defeated Lane 35-7 in their season debut.
“We’ve been working real hard here and our linemen played great here,’’ said Wilbon, who was making his first start on the varsity level. “I knew we were going to have a good start and our season was successful so that wasn’t that big of a surprise.’’
Wilbon started the season with a bang as he took a handoff on the first snap of the year and raced 75 yards to the end zone, untouched for at least the last 40.
The sophomore wasn’t done however. On De La Salle’s next drive, he carried the ball six times and was rewarded with a three-yard touchdown run.
The Meteors were more than just ‘The Wilbon Show,’ however. The Meteor defense stifled Lane and allowed just four first downs in the first half.
After the defense shut the Indians down again, Wilbon took two handoffs, one of which he took for an 83-yard touchdown.
“What’s great about De La Salle is that the coaches show no favoritism and if you’re good enough, you’re going to play. I knew all I could do is my best and it would end up ok,’’ said Wilbon.
Wilbon scored his fourth and final touchdown with 6:30 left in the second quarter, as he raced 60 yards down the right sideline.
“We knew he had talent,’’ De La Salle coach Dan O’Keefe said. “You can just see it in his eyes. He’s the player that wants to keep going after the whistle. That’s what separates him from the others.’’
Backup quarterback Casey Brandtonies accounted for the last De La Salle touchdown, rolling out and taking the ball in from 15 yards out.
Elijah Ewacawon had 86 yards on 22 carries and the lone Lane score on a 3-yard burst late in the fourth quarter.
Michael Wojtychiw 