la salle college high school football: in retrospect · 2014-06-10 · due to an injury to...

La Salle College High School Football: In Retrospect

NOTE: This is the thirty-sixth of, I hope, many retrospectives highlighting some unique

history of the football program at La Salle. The topics to discuss seem endless at this

time. Hope you enjoy these.

Bill Wasylenko, ‘69

Issue Number Thirty-Six: Brothers in Battle

Our sons Steve and Dan are one grade apart, and their experiences in grade school and

high school were often shared experiences, along with shared friendships. They often

played together on the same team, and the conflicting emotions of a sibling rivalry and a

sibling loyalty often presented itself.

They each selected their “main” sport prior to high school, and so they never got to play

together at La Salle. I always wondered what it would have been like for them to be on

the same team in high school, and I also felt that playing on the football team together

would have been a most unique shared experience.

And then I realized that many of our La Salle football players went through that particular

experience, and I wondered what it was like for them. So I identified many sets of La

Salle brothers who happened to be on the Varsity team at the same time, and wanted to

see what it was like together during the Senior year of the older brother. In most cases, I

looked at brother sets who were one year apart, but also considered some that were two

years apart; the senior/junior combination was more likely to have a more substantial

shared experience than a senior/soph combo.

I identified brother combinations between the 1948 and 2011 seasons to consider. In

some cases, I chose to write something about them without any consultation, feeling that

I had enough to tell a story. But in many cases, I sent out a bunch of interview questions

to the brothers to get their personal take on that experience.

What I got back was so revealing. Most significant was the passion that each of them had

for their time in La Salle football, as well as their fraternal love for each other. This got

me really excited to put something together worthy of that shared experience that they

had, and I’m hoping that my words reflect the intentions that they meant to express.

I chose to do 12 sets of brothers, but there are more of you out there, and someday there

could be a Chapter 2 to this Retrospect, but I’m hoping that you enjoy the 12 stories that

I’m presenting to you of the “Brothers In Battle”.

I welcome your questions, comments, and corrections.

Bill Wasylenko, ’69

[email protected]

May 31, 2013, revised April 6, 2014

mailto:[email protected]

1990 – Running With the Big Dogs

The Conlin family seemed to be an

assembly line of All-Catholic

production from the late 70’s to the

early 90’s, spreading their gifts

across Bishop McDevitt, their local

archdiocesan high school, as well as

La Salle.

Keith Conlin ‘91

The Conlin parents nurtured the love of sports within each of their 8 children, pushing

them to achieve lofty goals without pushing them too far. They were a big family of large

athletes, a feature that the coaches would notice immediately in the perennially

undersized Explorer student body.

Ken was the first of the boys to make his abilities known as a three-time All-Catholic

baseball player for the Royal Lancers from 1978 to 1980, and went on to play in the

minor leagues. Chris, nicknamed “Buckwheat”, was a star gridder at Bishop McDevitt,

growing to 6’-5”, 255 lbs by senior year. He went on to be a major part of Penn State’s

National Champions in the 1986 season, and played five years in the NFL for the

Dolphins and Colts. Craig was the first of the Conlins to go to La Salle, where he starred

on both the diamond and the hardwood, and became a great hoops player for La Salle

University.

In their wake came along Keith, and also Kevin, the last of the brood, affectionately

nicknamed “Pup”. They were coming to La Salle.

Keith had a stellar junior season in 1989, when the Explorers regained the Catholic

League Championship that they had last won in 1960. He was a tremendous force on the

front line of a stingy defense that gave up only 27 points in their last 9 games, including

the 13-0 whitewash of Roman in the title game. In senior year, he was also asked to play

a lot on offense, and needed two numbers to play during the year, playing both offensive

tackle with number 67, and tight end with number 89.

In that 1990 season, Keith, grown to 6’-8”, 265 lbs, got to welcome younger brother

Kevin as a teammate for the first time in football, though they were together on teams in

other sports while growing up.

Like most older brothers, Keith looked out for Kevin, showed him some aspects of

defensive line play and game preparation at La Salle, and also introduced him to his

classmates, guys like Craig Fitzgerald and Kevin Schmidt, who also made the

sophomore comfortable, and always offered their help.

Kevin Conlin ‘93

Conlin

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Kevin ended up as Keith’s backup in his sophomore year, so they rarely shared the field,

but the Thanksgiving Day game against St. Joseph’s Prep became a special day for

them. Due to an injury to defensive lineman Dave Gathman, Keith and Kevin Conlin

finally got to play together, and that 21-0 victory over the Prep made the many turkeys

cooked at the Conlin house that day all taste good.

Kevin grew to a mere 6’-4”, 257 lbs by his senior year at La Salle, and was a mainstay on

the 1991 and 1992 squads.

Ketih and Kevin Conlin followed brother Chris to Penn State, but, despite of the many

defensive combinations used by the Nittany Lions, never really got to play together on

the field in an actual game. That Thanksgiving Day game in 1990 against the Prep is the

only extended time that they got to share the field together, but that memory endures

forever.

Keith and Kevin Conlin, best friends, achieved All-Catholic status in their respective

senior years, joining their three older brothers with those honors, showing that they

could indeed run with the big dogs.


1995 – Coyle and Re-Coyle

If you look up the term “Irish Twins”

in Wikipedia, there has to be a

picture of the Coyle brothers. Pat

and Brendan Coyle are only 9

months apart, though they were in

different grades.

Pat Coyle ‘96

They started playing touch football together at age 5 for the Southampton Knights, and

moved on to tackle/weight football in the Keystone League, being on the same team for

all but one or two years until high school.

They learned to hit, and that usually meant hitting each other, going head to head in

what became known as “brotherly love” drills. Pat claims that no one has ever hit him

as hard as Brendan, and he never had any fear because he faced the best everyday while

growing up.

As the 1995 season approached, both brothers were excited and apprehensive. It would

be the first year since weight football that they would be on the field together. Brendan

won a starting spot on the defensive line as a junior, lining up right in front of Pat at

linebacker. Pat taught Brendan to never give up on a play, and also that size doesn’t

matter, though Pat thought the coaches were crazy about putting Brendan on the line.

Brendan Coyle ‘97

Coyle

You see, the Irish twins were a wee on the small side. But getting the best players out on

a field in a 5-2 defense may mean that a Brendan Coyle has to be a lineman.

The Coyle brothers were two “little engines that could” on the Explorer defense. A twist

to the older/younger brother storyline: when Pat was a freshman at La Salle, he got to

pick his number, and picked the number that Brendan had for his Southampton team,

#51. Pat kept that number in sophomore year, and Brendan had to pick another number,

because Pat had stolen his! But people in the stands got to know quickly who #51 and

#47 were.

The early apprehension that the Coyles had about the season seemed justified, as non-

league losses against West Catholic and Cherokee NJ had them concerned. But several

teammates, most notably John Mallach, exuded confidence that the season would be a

success. Many juniors and seniors had worked hard in the weight room together during

the summer, and that effort and that camaraderie paid off as the season unfolded. The

team pasta dinners at a teammate’s house the night before the game didn’t hurt.

The second league game was against Archbishop Ryan, perennial powerhouse, and the

Coyles both agree that this was the watershed game in defining this season. That 29-19

victory obliterated any lingering apprehension.

As the season rolled on, the father of the Irish twins was in his glory. Following his boys

on the sidelines during their youth football days, Mr. Coyle was now La Salle’s number

one cheerleader, and President of the Touchdown Club. He would spread out all of the

local papers at Sunday breakfast, and everyone would read the articles, and talk about

Saturday’s game.

The Coyle brothers had great relationships with their opposite classes on the team,

especially the Mallach brothers. Even when Brendan was still in 8th grade, Pat would

invite him along with all his new high school friends. Those off-the-field bonds only

helped the on-the-field bond that was needed of champions.

The Coyle brothers became a great force as the season progressed. One play in

particular against Bonner in the playoffs epitomized their fraternal teamwork: the Friar

quarterback rolled out, and both Coyles broke through the line, and simultaneously

Brendan hit him low and Pat hit him high. Just like back in the day in Southampton.

The PCL Championship game against Ryan was the apex of the season, and the 17-3 La

Salle win was sheer happiness for the Coyle brothers. After hugging their teammates

and posing with the trophy in front of cameras, Brendan and Pat broke away from their

teammates to join their dad for a unique photo opportunity. Mr. Coyle had invited their

old coaches from youth football to the game, and they got to pose with them and the

trophy for a unique picture, the circular trophy symbolic of the Coyles going full circle

back to their days when they could only dream about playing high school football

together.

Pat and Brendan Coyle both were awarded All-Catholic honors. Brendan didn’t think he

had a chance; the feeling of being named All-Catholic alongside his brother Pat was

indescribable. He was ecstatic, but only half as excited and ecstatic as his dad.

That Championship game was Pat’s last time in uniform. Brendan went on as a senior to

excel on the undefeated 1996 Champs. Mr. Coyle would send Pat the game tapes at

college, and Pat would get a crowd of friends together in a dorm room to watch for #47,

And when #47 made a great play, Pat would announce to no one in particular, but really

to everyone, “That’s my brother!”. By the time the Championship game tape against

Judge arrived, there were 25 guys in that dorm room in Vermont pulling for La Salle and

Brendan.

Pat came back to La Salle to be the linebacker coach in the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Two

of his favorite players were twins Kevin and Chris Dougherty, two real hitters who may

have reminded him of another set of brothers. Ironic that an Irish twin ends up coaching

twins who were Irish.

Brendan (#47) and Pat (#51) Coyle on Thanksgiving Day 1995 vs. St. Joseph’s Prep

1998/99 – What About My Brother?

Chris and Kevin Dougherty were

fraternal twins who were identical in

their approach to football. As part of

a stellar defense in the 1998 and 1999

seasons, they loved to get physical,

would finish every tackle, would be

brutally honest with each other, and

their brotherhood was infectious to

the entire defensive squad. Chris Dougherty ‘00 Kevin Dougherty ‘00

Dougherty


Chris was a 6’-1”, 195 lb middle linebacker, one of the hardest hitters in the Catholic

League. Kevin was a 5’-10”, 168 lb safety and kick returner, who played a lot bigger.

They had each other’s back, combining on crushing gang tackles that buried opposing

ballcarriers and often popping the football loose. While Chris would blitz the

quarterback and make him hurry his throw, Kevin would zero in on the errant toss, and

intercept the ball, garnering 8 pilfers in each of the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Chris got to

his share of ballcarriers himself, leading the team in tackles in 1999.

If an opposing player had an issue with one of them, they had an issue with both of

them, and that mentality cascaded across the whole defense, as these 1998 and 1999

teams were marauders, and took great pride in their closeness, aggressiveness, and

competitiveness.

They knew what each other was thinking, and Chris figured that he could take some

chances at his linebacker position, knowing that Kevin would be there to back him up

and help to finish the tackle. The Doughertys looked up to each other and would do

anything for each other, a unique bond that started in the womb and flourished on the

football field.

In their junior year of 1998, they competed for and won starting positions on defense,

and learned what it was like to prepare for a game from the seniors, as they all

experienced a magical, hard-fought journey to the Catholic League Championship. As

seniors in 1999, they were part of the team leadership, with Chris as a captain, passing

on their knowledge and preparation to the underclassmen, making it to the

championship game again, only to lose to Roman Catholic.

The Dougherty family relished the game days in the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Jim

Dougherty, Class of ’67, couldn’t have been a prouder Dad on game day, having once

played for Tex Flannery. On the morning of the 1998 championship game, he was a

bundle of nerves while making breakfast for his family, and waking everyone up with

some old La Salle chants.

After defeating Archbishop Ryan for that championship in 1998, La Salle players were in

a mob scene after the game ended, except for two players: Chris and Kevin Dougherty

were in their own fraternal-twin hugfest, before joining their exuberant teammates.

Late in the 1999 season, after a game at Northeast High School, head coach Joe Colistra

went up to Kevin Dougherty, and told him that he made first-team Al-Catholic. Kevin’s

immediate words were: “What about my brother?” Joe Colistra broke into a big smile,

and said: “Yeah, he made it, too”.

After the 1999 football season was over, the Doughertys went their separate ways in

winter and spring sports. Chris wrestled and played baseball, and Kevin swam and

played lacrosse. The spring of their senior year gave their parents one more chance to

see their sons play at the same time, as they parked their lawn chairs strategically

between the baseball diamond and the lacrosse field at La Salle.

After La Salle and college, the twins continued their separate ways, with Chris in the

investment world and Kevin in significant administrative academic roles that eventually

brought him back to La Salle. But they remain very close, and have an unbreakable

bond with their former teammates, especially those on defense in those great seasons of

1998 and 1999.

They each have great memories of their days at La Salle, coming in as twin brothers

knowing very few classmates, but leaving with dozens of brothers, as well as the words

of wisdom and examples set by coaches like Joe Colistra, John Steinmetz, and Paul

Kubach that they will use for the rest of their lives.


2011 – Two-Sport Duo

Casey and Andrew Eidenshink

followed older brother Ryan onto the

football field, but also onto the

lacrosse field, excelling in both

sports. Their cross-over talents were

evident on the football field, and they

got to share some gridiron time

together in the 2011 season. Casey Eidenshink ‘12 Andrew Eidenshink ‘13

Eidenshink

Casey was a wide receiver and kick returner, and, though usually used in third-down

passing situations, was involved in many key plays, resulting in first-down receptions as

a possession-type of receiver. Younger brother Andrew played on the defensive side of

the ball, first as a defensive end in his junior year, but eventually migrating to outside

linebacker in his senior year due to his footspeed.

They played on opposite sides of the ball, but often teamed up on special teams, where

Casey excelled as a return man, using his lacrosse skills in making moves in small

spaces and gaining valuable field position. Andrew had a nose for the ball, using his

speed to make tackles on both sides of the field.

Though they didn’t achieve All-Catholic status like their brother Ryan, they had a habit of

being involved in some of the key plays of the 2011 season. In the regular-season game

against the Prep, La Salle was rebounding from a 17-0 deficit, trailing 17-15 early in the

4th quarter. The Explorers faced a 4th and 9 on the Hawk 32-yard line, and took a time

out. They chose to go for it, and QB Matt Magarity hit a streaking Casey Eidenshink on a

slant pattern for the touchdown the gave La Salle the lead for good. In the PCL

Championship game against Roman Catholic, Andrew Eidenshink recovered a Cahillite

fumble late in the 4th quarter to seal the Explorer victory, 16-6, for their 4th straight PCL

Championship. See the pictures below.

The Eidenshinks combined on

the lacrosse field in the spring

of 2012, and then headed their

separate ways to play lacrosse

in college, with Casey at

Lehigh and Andrew on his way

to Fairfield. But their time on

the football field in 2011 will

be remembered not only by

them, but also by their

teammates, as their

contributions were invaluable

on that 12-2-0 team.


1964 – The Foley Fraternity

Jay Foley ‘65 Tim Foley ‘66

Foley

Jay Foley was a 2-way back for the 1963 and 1964 La Salle teams, and was a great

ballhawk in the defensive backfield, intercepting 2 passes in the 1964 game against

Kenrick among his thefts. Younger brother Tim was bigger than Jay, and made the

Varsity as a soph in 1963, playing end. By 1964, Tim was a starter alongside his brother.

In 1964, the Foley brothers were two-way players, as Jay got some touches as halfback,

but they were featured more on defense. Tim had moved to a “roving linebacker”

position, and brother Jay, the defensive back, seemed to always be playing right behind

him, backing him up like an older brother should.

They have great memories of that year, from coming up from the shore to begin August

practice, through camp with scrimmages against “farm boys”, and all the way to the last

game against Father Judge. Jay enjoyed seeing his younger brother Tim making plays

in front of him against some of the best offensive talent in the Northern Division, like

running back Charlie Jarvis of Father Judge. Tim would often make the initial hit, and

Jay would finish the runner off. Nothing like fraternal teamwork to get the job done.

While Jay enjoyed seeing his brother on the field with him, Tim felt more pressure to

produce than other juniors on the team because of their brother act. But produce he did,

along with his brother Jay and the strong Blue and Gold defense, as the 1964 Explorers

gave up only 43 points all season.

One benefit that they shared was getting to know the opposite classes well, and that

helped to foster camaraderie across the team. And, of course, when either made a good

play, he was greeted loudly by his brother, and then by the rest of the team. This made

for a very special year for both of them.

The 1964 season was a special season for La Salle as well. After an opening season

loss to a great Neshaminy team, and a non-divisional win over the Burrs of West

Catholic, the Explorers ran off 4 straight league wins, and were in a position to control

their own destiny with just two games remaining.

The entire Foley family came to all of the games, and Mr. Foley was intensely proud of

Jay and Tim, but, like many parents of that generation, reserved his emotions in the

stands, and saved it for the ride home, replaying the games with his boys as the Sunday

afternoons cascaded into evenings.

Cardinal Dougherty upset La Salle in the next to last game, 13-0, and the Explorers

needed to beat the Father Judge Crusaders in the final game to have a shot at the

playoffs. In an intensely defensive game at Northeast High School, Judge’s quarterback

Bill Kelly kicked a short field goal near the end of the first half. Who would have

imagined that the 3-0 lead would hold up, but it did, and the Explorer hopes of a post-

season was dashed, not to be attained till 1988.

Jay and Tim still shake their heads at that loss; field goals just weren’t kicked much

back then, and certainly not to win an important game. That bitter memory, along with

all of the sweet ones, gets resurrected every time they get together to talk about 1964, a

really special time in their lives. Jay still feels that playing football was the most fun he

ever had at La Salle, and playing with his brother Tim in 1964 was a unique reward.

1976 – James and John –

Apostles of Defense

Jim and John Gillies followed their

brother Bill ’74 into La Salle, and

onto the football field. These two

Gillies brothers were part of the

unique 1976 season that proved to

be Tex Flannery’s last great team.

Jim Gillies ‘77 John Gillies ‘78

Gillies


Jim Gillies was a senior defensive lineman that year, having been part of the Phoenix of

the 1975 team, rising from the ashes of a 0-9-0 team in his sophomore year. He was as

tough as old rawhide, and had great strength in his sinewy frame, which topped out at

6’-2” and 215 lbs.

Brother John was a year behind Jim, and was a solid defensive back at 5’-10” and 175

lbs, often playing behind Jim, and sometimes alongside of him in blitz formations. They

certainly were a major part of a rough and tough defense that registered three

consecutive shutouts on the way to a 9-2-0 record, winning more games than any La

Salle team since 1957.

John felt privileged to be able to hang around with the seniors, and gained their respect,

not only as Jim’s younger brother, but as a player in his own right. The Gillies brothers

did look after each other, but they knew that the job took precedence, including when

they went head to head in practice, something not uncommon for these two off the field

as well. But, after the whistle, a hand to get up and a pat on the back were always in

order, and their teammates respected them for understanding the rules of battle.

And battle it was: the Gillies brothers always felt like warriors going into battle, relishing

the thought of delivering such a punishing blow to the enemy that they would remember

your number (Jim - #71; John - #38). Their closeness, both personally in life and

geographically on the field, was a great source of pride for both of them.

They were able to push each other during hours and hours of training and practice, both

on the field and in the gym, hitting the free weights and the universal machine for hours

with no one else around but each other. And their trek back home was done together as

well, often thumbing a ride or walking for miles, together.

The season started with incredible promise, as the Explorers ran off three straight wins,

but Judge’s Crusaders knocked the Blue and Gold down in a 34-7 drubbing. Three more

wins followed, putting La Salle in position to win the Suburban section of the Northern

Division.

A 13-0 halftime lead against Archbishop Wood in the regular season finale had the

faithful anticipating the playoffs. But the Vikings came back to tie the game in the fourth

quarter, and then scored on a short run with 8 seconds to go to dash the hopes of the

Explorers, depriving them of a playoff spot that they hadn’t experienced since 1961.

John was sidelined with a head injury for that Wood game, and he still has memories of

the difficult experience of seeing Wood march down that field for the winning score, and

not being able to do anything about it.

Jim and John Gillies played exceptionally well on that 1976 defense, and they had their

individual moments in the sun. In the Kenrick game, John ran from one sideline to the

other to tackle a runner and cause a fumble, and was baptized with the nickname

“Shark” by fellow defensive back John Steinmetz. In the North Catholic game, Jim

stripped star running back Lou Sigmund of the ball, and returned with the pilfered

pigskin till he was stopped at the North 4-yard line. That thievery led to one of two

scores in a La Salle shutout.

They have great memories of Tex Flannery (“Stop posing for holy pictures!”) as well as

Joe Colistra (“A tie is like kissing your sister!”), and they think back often to their

teammates, especially those who have passed on at a young age, like Vince Kostos and

Mike Vesey. Their opportunity to play together on that great 1976 team has provided

them with a lifetime of memories, and all the workouts, practices, scrimmages, and

games that they shared, together.


2003 – Tight Ends, Tighter Brothers

Frank and Tom Jorfi both played

tight end at La Salle. Contrary to

what you may have expected, they

were in fierce competition for playing

time, continuing a rivalry from their

days of one-on-one basketball games

in the driveway.

Frank Jorfi ‘04 Tom Jorfi ‘05

Jorfi

That competition continued on the CYO football field for Corpus Christi, where Frank

(8th grade) and Tom (7th grade) finally got to play with each other for the first time. And

their battles in CYO were probably a lot more serious than their battles 4 years later at La

Salle. Frank was big and strong, and grew to be 6’-2” and almost 200 lbs as a freshman.

He was good enough as a sophomore to gain a lot of meaningful playing time.

Freshman Tom had a unique set of emotions going, being intensely jealous of Frank’s

success, and yet was passionately proud of his brother, and enjoyed watching him play

Varsity ball.

Tom wanted the opportunity to prove himself, but watching Frank succeed, in Tom’s own

words, was “like standing in a shadow that just kept stretching”. Tom grew to be tall as

well, was leaner of build, and was a faster receiver than Frank.

Frank was an excellent receiver and a great blocker, and at home he worked with Tom on

technique as well as routes. They didn’t share much time on the practice field, and

didn’t have much of an opportunity of looking out for each other, except for when Coach

Joe Colistra screamed out for “Jorf!!”, and both Jorfi brothers responded at full speed,

with one knowing he’d be walking away with his tail between his legs.

Frank played end/outside linebacker in addition to being a stellar receiver amidst a great

crop of receivers in his senior year, and that meant that Tom would have to bide his time

to get onto the field on offense. Frank made sure he attended as many of Tom’s JV

games as possible, supporting him and enjoying his success at that level.

Frank’s and Tom’s dad tried to make it to every one of their games - all the way from

freshman to JV to Varsity, and every Varsity game was a major event for the whole Jorfi

family; Mr. Jorfi made it a point to try to tape all of their games.

On car rides after hard practices or games, the Jorfi brothers were either too exhausted

to even talk to each other, or they were talking trash to each other about something that

had happened. If Frank celebrated a catch or a touchdown a little too much, Tom made

sure to put him in his place on that ride home.

Frank was awarded All-Catholic honors as an end/outside linebacker in his senior year,

and brother Tom would have been furious if he didn’t make it, because he knew his

brother deserved it. At the same time, Frank felt that Tom didn’t get enough of a shot to

play in his junior year, and hoped that he’d get that long-overdue chance in his senior

year.

Tom took that opportunity and made good on it, becoming an outstanding receiver with

great speed and great hands. Frank, playing at La Salle University, got back to many of

Tom’s games in his senior season, and he remembers the Archbishop Ryan playoff

game when Tom caught about 9 passes in La Salle’s loss to the Raiders. Many people

came up to Frank, telling him how great Tom played all season.

When Tom was awarded his own All-Catholic berth, Frank was elated, and, in his words:

“Finally, someone else sees how good he is, and he's getting the credit he deserves. I

seriously could not have been prouder.”

Tom had his own opportunity to play college ball at either Moravian or Lycoming, but

instead chose to go to La Salle University and be with his brother. They ended up

sharing an apartment for one of their years together, rekindling their closeness with

each other, while at the same time, rekindling their competitiveness, arguing about

which one of them was better at La Salle.

1953 – Lamprechts Light Up The Line

Coming to 20th and Olney from the

Glenside “wilderness” were the

Lamprecht brothers, whose La Salle

resumes were more like twins,

except they were a year apart.

Getting to play together in the “new

dawn” of the 1953 season was

certainly special. John Lamprecht ‘54 Frank Lamprecht ‘55

Lamprecht


John was a three-year letterman on the gridiron who was a senior in the 1953 season; he

wore number 48, was an honorable mention All-Catholic in 1953 as a tackle, went by the

nickname of “Herman”, and was a mainstay on the crew team in the football “off-

season”.

Frank was a three-year football letterman as well, and was a junior in the 1953 season;

he wore number 45, was a second team All-Catholic guard in the 1954 season, went by

the nickname of “Bo”, and also rowed for La Salle when he wasn’t playing football.

And the Lamprechts were both about the same size, listed at 5’-10”, 170 lbs (though the

pictures make John look somewhat bigger).

The 1953 season was the “Season of Coming Attractions”, where John was one of just 8

seniors, and the team came on strong as the season progressed. Early in the year, the

Explorers battled the Prep to a 0-0 tie, and the Wisterian noted the “defensive line

presence” of John and Frank Lamprecht. They also were a big part of the greatest La

Salle win in years, anchoring the defense in an 18-0 shutout over North Catholic, and

they followed that up with an equally exciting win against the Burrs of West Catholic, 31-

26. On offense, they helped to open up holes for the great skill position players like QB

Bill Magee, end John Duffy, and back Jim Ward.

Though the stars of renown of the 1953 team seem to be spotted in the backfield, the line

play on both sides of the ball by the Lamprecht brothers were surely an important factor

in turning around the fortunes of La Salle football.

John was the long-time proprietor of the Blue Bell Inn, where the Class of 1954 would

hold a monthly lunch, and the footballers would get a chance to re-live that great season

of 1953. Though the Blue Bell Inn is in new ownership, the Class of 54 has continued

their monthly lunches, relocating to other local establishments, talking about their

senior year, when the Lamprecht brothers wore the Blue and Gold together.

1995 – Long-Time Teammates

John and Kyle Mallach were

teammates for a long, long time,

going back to their JV CYO days at

“Little Gwynedd”. But, as they

approached their last year as

teammates in 1995, that bittersweet

thought of a final season was the

furthest thing from their minds. John Mallach ‘95 Kyle Mallach ‘96

Mallach


John was a year ahead of Kyle, and was always the first to play at a higher level for a

year before Kyle joined him. In virtually all instances, when together, the Mallach boys

were on a team that never lost. It wasn’t just them, of course, but the chemistry of those

teams clicked to produce winners every time.

La Salle’s 1994 season ended with another “one and done” excursion into the playoffs

for the fourth straight year. They were unable to beat Archbishop Ryan and Father

Judge; the Crusaders knocked the Explorers out of the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 years.

And a lot of people felt that the Blue and Gold would not be able to climb that summit

again.

But things were going to change in 1995. Drew Gordon had become quarterbacks coach

in 1994, and would renovate the offense into a spread-type that got the ball into the

hands of many different skill-position players, exploiting their athleticism. And

sophomore Brett Gordon stepped into the starting quarterback position. But perhaps

the biggest change occurred within the team itself, as the winter of 1994/95 saw the

rising seniors of the 1995 season bring a can-do attitude with them, with a little swagger

thrown in, and merged their energies and their aspirations with the rising juniors,

welcoming them into the mission of the 1995 team. And all of them had great confidence

in that sophomore signal-caller Gordon.

It didn’t hurt to have two sets of brothers (Coyles, Mallachs) to be part of that

senior/junior merger. John Mallach claims that this group knew well ahead of time that

they were good, and that they would win the Catholic League. It didn’t hurt to have that

swagger, and other team members adopted that feeling.

John and Kyle always played on opposite sides of the ball. John was a free-wheeling

defensive back, and Kyle was a solid north-south runner in quite a stable of Blue and

Gold rushers. The brothers sometimes collided in practice, and trash-talked like any

other teammates. They also talked to each other after practice, eager to find out what

was happening on the other side of the ball.

But there was a third Mallach involved in that magical year of 1995 as well. David

Mallach would film his sons’ games, and after the battle all would head back to the

Mallach house to watch the game, trailed by many teammates as well. That was just

another ingredient in the team’s chemistry that year.

Despite two early season non-league losses, the team was confident going into league

play, and defeated Conwell-Egan in the opener. Kyle had 13 rushes for 79 yards,

including a 1-yard touchdown run to give La Salle a lead they would hold for good.

Anytime that Kyle scored that year, John felt like he scored as well, a family-style

touchdown.

Next game was a watershed event against Archbishop Ryan, and the 1995 squad felt that

there was no way the Raiders would win this game. But the Explorers had to come from

a 19-7 deficit to pull it off, as a happy band of extended brothers caravanned their way to

the Mallach house to see how it really happened. Judge fell next, then Wood, Dougherty,

and North. Three of those four games were shutouts, as the defense still maintained

their rightful place as one of the league’s best.

John Mallach is convinced that the defense got better during the year because they were

facing the league’s best offense in practice every day. The multiple sets and options

they battled on what is now known as Flannery Field was tougher than what they would

face in the weekend game.

The confidence and swagger of the 1995 team, and of the Mallach brothers, now headed

into the playoffs. A shutout of Judge and a tough win over the Friars of Bonner got La

Salle back into the Championship game for the first time since 1989, against the dynastic

Ryan team. But first, the Prep was dispatched on Thanksgiving, as Kyle Mallach scored

twice, one on a 50 yard run. The Championship game was scoreless at half, but Kyle

scored on a 2-yard run to break the ice, and La Salle won the PCL crown, 14-7.

There was a tremendous sense of accomplishment that the 1995 team still exudes today

when they meet with each other. John and Kyle Mallach won together yet again, in their

last game together. John followed the 1996 team from afar up as a member of Fairfield’s

football squad, but got back in time for the run to the playoffs, getting to see his brother

Kyle be a part of a second PCL Championship.

The Mallachs’ combined journey through football success that started back in JV CYO

continues into the business world today, as they take some of the principles of

teamwork, drive, trust, and yes, swagger, into their profession. The 1995 PCL

Championship was so special to them, providing them not only with great memories

with their teammates, but as a launching point to bigger and better conquests in their

lives.

1966 – Meehan My Brother

While I was at La Salle, I always

looked up to the football players, but

especially when I was in my

freshman and sophomore years.

One of those football players was

Kevin “Bear” Meehan, a burly and

energetic lineman who went both

ways for Tex Flannery. Kenneth Meehan ‘67

Kevin was a stalwart in his junior and senior years, earning first team All-Catholic

honors in the 1967 season. He was certainly a big man on campus, with a popular and

dynamic personality to go with his exploits on the gridiron. And, along with other great

footballers like Charlie Zapiec, Bill Hartman, Steve Bukowski, John Kent, and others,

Kevin Meehan was my hero.

Kevin Meehan ‘68

Meehan


Two items for me to confess:

one, I did not know that Kevin

and Kenneth were brothers. My

alibi is that there were so many

Meehans at La Salle that I

needed a scorecard. My second

item: football players were my

heroes, not managers in suits

and ties. Even I wore a suit and

tie.

But heroes come in all shapes

and sizes, and wardrobe. And

different people have different

heroes, and a person’s idea of a

hero changes with time.

Kenneth Meehan loved the sport

that he managed, and I’ve grown

to appreciate what a dedicated

manager brings to his football

team. Kenneth was also brilliant

in the classroom, scoring a 1592

on the old version of the SAT,

and taking his talents to

Georgetown, while brother

Kevin, a year later, also headed

south to play at Virginia Tech.

Both brothers went on to

achieve doctorate degrees.

But he was the younger of the Meehan brothers who patrolled the football field in 1966.

His brother Kenneth was on that field as well, but Kenneth’s uniform was a suit and tie,

not a jersey and short pants. He was the manager of the football team, and served in

that role for all four years. He also seemed to be everywhere in school, involved in many

activities like the Wisterian and in Student Council as a senior.

About three years ago, Kenneth Meehan passed away after a long, courageous battle

with cancer, and younger brother Kevin was asked to speak about Kenneth during a

ceremony celebrating his life, in front of many of Kenneth’s peers in the academic world.

And Kevin tried to explain to those bastions of academia how their fraternal relationship

was forged during CYO baseball in grade school, and on the football field at La Salle.

And Kevin “Bear” Meehan, tough and dynamic lineman, hero to a lot of us

underclassmen, let everyone there know, in no uncertain terms, that Kenneth Meehan,

his older brother, the football manager, was indeed his hero.

And now, Kenneth is mine as well.


1948 – Palo Mine

Leon Palo ‘49 Salvatore Palo ‘50

Palo

Leon and Salvatore Palo came to La Salle from St. Madeline Sophie parish, and both

brothers landed in the Explorer backfield. As a junior in the 1947 season, Leon stepped

up to become a reliable back, due both to his abilities as well as injuries and

suspensions to other backfieldmates. In the second game of the 1947 season, Leon

broke through the St. Thomas More defense for his first touchdown. but 1947 was a

difficult season for La Salle, as they limped home with a 3-7-0 record.

In 1948, younger brother Sal, a junior, joined Leon in the crowded Explorer backfield,

and Sal, seemingly bigger than Leon, made his presence known in a hurry as well,

scoring against the Prep in the second game of the year.

There was a lot of talent in the Blue and Gold backfield, starting with the great senior

Dick Bedesem, but the Palo brothers were vital parts of the La Salle offense, and the 4-4-

0 season record didn’t do justice to the abilities of this team. Sal also played in the 1949

season, and went on to play at Temple, and then taught in high schools in South Jersey,

also establishing athletic programs at several schools.

Leon Palo scores vs. Tommy More in 1948

But for us, the Palo

brothers in the 1948

backfield were quite a

rarity in La Salle circles,

and I’m sure that they

would have had some

great stories to tell

about their times

together on that 1948

team.


1957 – Nitro and Glycerine

Tom and Frank Yannessa were

sturdy guards in the late 50’s who

each were about 6’-3” tall and

weighed about 250 pounds, except

that they weren’t – it just seemed that

way to enemy ballcarriers and

linemen.

Tom Yannessa ‘58 Frank Yannessa ‘60

Yannessa

Tom was a senior on the 1957 team, and was listed a 5’-9” and 183 lbs. He was a

grenade on the defensive line, rolling and exploding into unsuspecting ballcarriers with

a low center of gravity that always won the leverage battle. His play in the 1957 City Title

game was exceptional, helping to stifle the vaunted Roxborough running game as La

Salle pitched a defensive shutout (only Indian TD came on an interception).

Frank was one of just a few sophomores to make the Varsity in 1957. Though he did not

start, he gained some valuable field experience in some of the late season games when

the Explorers were comfortably ahead. By the 1959 season, Frank was a mainstay on

the line for La Salle, with similar dimensions as brother Tom, and with the same impact

on collisions with ballcarriers.

Tom Yannessa won first-team All-Catholic honors as a guard in 1957, and Frank

Yannessa replicated that achievement in 1959; Tom also was second team All-Scholastic

in 1957.

To those who saw them play, the name Yannessa connoted impact, a compact car hitting

you like a 1954 DeSoto, two packages of dynamite that blew up opponents every

Sunday.

Brothers In Battle

Brothers In Battle

la salle college high school football: in retrospect · 2014-06-10 · due to an injury to...

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