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2023 Snapshot: La Salle

La Salle WR/DB Koy Beasley (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

They are going to be one of the most intriguing teams to follow this season. La Salle struggled through growing pains in 2022. The Lancers dropped their final nine games yet they still managed to make the playoffs. With much to prove and pride to be restored this squad will be playing to settles some scores.

La Salle was overmatched in so many ways a year ago and its youth really showed down the stretch. That won’t be the case this fall. “We have a lot of returning players. We were young last season, and a lot of guys got experience playing at the varsity level,” Head coach Pat McLaughlin states.

Things are about to change on North Bend Road. Game planning for La Salle isn’t going to be easy. “We are going to be explosive and more physical on offense,” McLaughlin quips. That unit needs to put points on the scoreboard early and often, put pressure on opponents and make them play from behind. That will only benefit a Lancers defense that is primed to be opportunistic.

The regular season record will not be indicative of how good La Salle is when the playoffs roll around. The Lancers slate includes six teams that won at least eight games in 2022 and three schools that won at least 10 games over the final five weeks. To compound those woes, La Salle hasn’t won a GCL South game since October 2nd, 2020 (six straight losses). Motivation should not be a problem for McLaughlin’s men.

The battle may be uphill in 2023 but expect this team to rise to the occasion. And, they have this good omen to have on their side. The last two times that La Salle has had a losing season (2013 & 2018) the Lancers have turned around and won the Division II state championship the following year.

Division II, Region 8
2022 RECORD: 2-9, 0-3 GCL South
COACH: Pat McLaughlin (45-28 at La Salle, six years; 64-40 overall; nine years)

HONOR ROLL
Koy Beasley, Sr, WR/DB – One of the best defensive backs in Ohio and the entire country. With his 4.39 speed, Beasley was also a factor as a receiver and return man last season with 23 receptions, 407 yards receiving, 944 all-purpose yards, a 26.7-yard average on 19 kickoff returns and four touchdowns (three rush, one KR). On defense, he was in on 33 total tackles, had four passes defended and an interception. Beasley was named OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Ohio (WR) for his efforts. His offers include national champion Georgia, Arkansas, Boston College, Michigan State, Nebraska, Pitt, Purdue, USC, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Beasley will make his college commitment on June 28th.

DeYor Brumfield, Sr, S – Had a breakout year as a junior. He recorded 84 total tackles (50 solo) and had one-and-a-half tackles for losses to earn OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District honors. Picked up his first offer from Ashland University earlier this month.

La Salle DB DeYor Brumfield (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

Kyle Kelhoffer, Sr, OL – The anchor and leader of the Lancers offensive line. The 6-foot-4.5, 280-pound Kelhoffer was named Second Team All-GCL South for a second straight season as a junior.

Brady O’Connor, Jr, TE/LB – If you are buying stock in a player, O’Connor is an excellent choice. He will be a “blue-chipper” in the GCL South over the next two years. He registered 70 total tackles, five tackles for losses, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles as a sophomore to earn Second Team All-GCL South honors.

OTHER RETURN
Camdon Wilborn, Sr, DL – Never really got on track in his first year at La Salle after two very good seasons at CCPA. Look for the 6-foot-3, 275-pound Wilborn to be a force and stuffer in the middle of the d-line as a senior. He picked up his first offer from Thomas More University.

Patrick McLaughlin, Jr, QB – A TriState Football Breakout Performer for 2023. After starting the Lancers final four games last season, McLaughlin is ready to take off. He threw for 811 yards had five touchdown passes and two rushing scores as a sophomore.

La Salle QB Patrick McLaughlin (photo by: Kyle Dressman/TriStateFootball.com)

Naim Jackson, Jr, OL – Has a huge upside over the next two years. Jackson and his o-line mates have plenty to prove especially blocking in the running game. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Jackson just picked up his first offer from Pitt.

Isaac Goldschmidt, Jr, RB – A gritty runner who will have some big moments in 2023. Goldschmidt ran for his first two varsity touchdowns last season against R.I.C.C. (Canada).

Kyle Reynolds, Sr, WR/DB/K – Provides the La Salle offense options at receiver. Reynolds hauled in 12 receptions for 79 yards ran for 39 yards and had a touchdown rushing and one receiving as a junior.

Max Welter, Jr, WR/LS – A key component of the special teams as the long snapper. Welter will also see time at receiver.

Mick O’Connor, Sr, LB – Will play linebacker but could also provide depth at receiver. O’Connor had 11 receptions for 88 yards and had 11 total tackles as a sophomore.

Jaymir Davis, Jr, OL – Back for another season as a starter, the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Davis has all-conference ability.

Devin Byrd, Jr, RB – The Lancers will start out as a backfield by committee but don’t be surprised if Byrd emerges as the go-to-guy by the time the season ends. He had 78 yards rushing and six receptions for 41 yards as a sophomore.

NEWCOMERS
The defensive side of the ball will be loaded with competition. Up front seniors DL Jack Sellett, DL Hunter Jim and junior DL Fergus Kreider battle to be in the rotation. Juniors DE/LB Zach Gates, DE/LB Caleb Lang and LB Landon Bates will push for snaps in the middle of the defense. Juniors DB Walter Berry, DB Sayre Smothers and Drae Arnold make the Lancers secondary extremely deep. Berry showed glimpses of what he could be in last season’s opener against Colerain with four total tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. Gates had one-and-a-half sacks versus Cathedral as a sophomore.

Biding for playing time on offense are seniors OL Ben Knopp, RB Cohen Kreidler, juniors H-back Devin Wallace, WR Brandon Phillips, OL Evan Roell and sophomore Hunter Ogden. Kreidler had 23 total tackles in seven games at linebacker as a junior.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(12 appearances, 28-8) – 2022, 2021, 2020 (Regional Champion), 2019 (State Champion), 2017, 2016 (State Champion), 2015 (State Champion), 2014 (State Champion), 2010, 2004, 2002, 1985

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – COLERAIN (4-7 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Northmont (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – FAIRMONT (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – at Louisville Central (KY) (9-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – TOTTENSVILLE (NY) (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – at Moeller (13-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (IN) (10-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – at St. Xavier (5-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at Detroit Catholic Central (MI) (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – ELDER (10-3) – 7:00 PM

2023 Active Leaders: GCL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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