La Salle routs Massillon Perry for state title
Mike Dyer, mdyer@enquirer.com 9:27 a.m. EST December 5, 2015
The La Salle seniors pose for a photo at midfield after the OHSAA DII State Championship Final football game between the La Salle Lancers and the Massillon Perry Panthers at Ohio Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. La Salle routed Massillon Perry 42-0 to win its second straight state championship. The Enquirer/Sam Greene
COLUMBUS – The Lancers roll deep yet again.
The La Salle football team captured its second straight Division II state title with a 42-0 win over Massillon Perry Friday night in front of 11,168 at Ohio Stadium.
The 22 seniors joined elite company in the La Salle football program as a group that will always be remembered for winning back-to-back state titles.
"Every team from now on will be compared to this team," La Salle coach Jim Hilvert said. "There is no doubt about it. What these seniors did these last two years is unbelievable."
In a week filled with surprise within La Salle regarding the Ohio Mr. Football Award going to Massillon Perry senior running back Keishaun Sims and not La Salle senior running back Jeremy Larkin, the Lancers proved that what matters most in any season is the team accomplishments.
"To be honest nothing surprises me anymore," Hilvert said. "For us it just adds fuel to the fire. It really does with all the stuff that goes nowadays. It is what it is. We care about winning and being consistent winning and establishing a program that is going to last forever. There is no feeling in the world that compares to this. I know these kids would rather have this any of the individual awards that go on around here."
The La Salle defense picked the perfect time for their first shutout of the season. The Lancers offense did its part by striking quickly and often.
"My pregame speech was all about completing the mission and they completed the mission," Hilvert said. "We talked about it getting it right off the bat. Don't wait around, you go get it and take it. I think our kids did it. They set the tempo – driving down the field and getting that quick touchdown."
The Lancers (13-2) wasted little time on their opening drive after starting at their own 36-yard line after Perry won the toss and deferred.
Larkin, who is verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati, had receptions of 28 and 24 yards on the second and third plays of the opening drive, respectively.
The Lancers went for it on 4th-and-goal and senior offensive lineman Luke Doerger (Toledo commit) fell on junior Jarell White's fumble in the end zone to give the Lancers the touchdown. Senior Drue Chrisman (Ohio State) added the extra point and La Salle led 7-0 at the 8:24 mark. That completed a 7-play, 64-yard drive that took 3:36.
It was the first career touchdown for Doerger, who made his school-record 50th consecutive start.
"Beyond words," Doerger said after the game. "It was insane. This entire thing is beyond belief. What a way to go out."
Perry punted on its first possession but the Panthers picked off La Salle near the end zone on the Lancers' second drive.
Perry saw its next drive stall and the Panthers punt went into the rear end of another Perry player. The ball was recovered by La Salle senior defensive lineman John Willcox, who returned it 32 yards to the Perry 11.
The Lancers took advantage of the turnover two plays later when Larkin scored on a 7-yard touchdown run over left guard to help give the Lancers a 14-0 lead with 1:49 left in the first quarter.
Larkin scored his second rushing touchdown on a 10-yard carry over left end to help give the Lancers a 21-0 with 8:29 left in the second quarter. Chrisman made his third extra point of the night.
The Lancers' defense held firm late in the second quarter after Perry threw an incompletion in the end zone with 21 seconds left.
La Salle held a 21-0 lead at halftime.
Perry's first drive stalled in the third quarter and La Salle freshman Jared Uran blocked the Panthers' punt to give La Salle the ball at the Perry 27.
Six plays later, senior quarterback Nick Watson found White for a 9-yard touchdown pass connection and Chrisman added the extra point to give the Lancers a 28-0 lead with 6:46 left in the third quarter.
That completed a 6-play, 27-yard drive that took 2:41.
Watson added a 32-yard touchdown run with 8:59 left in the fourth quarter and Chrisman added the extra point to give the Lancers a 35-0 lead with 8:59 left in the fourth quarter.
Junior defensive back TreSean Smith had a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown to help give the Lancers a 42-0 with 4:26. Chrisman added the extra point for his 65th consecutive extra point of the season.
La Salle had 347 yards of total offense including 216 yards rushing. Perry had 187 total yards, including 166 on the ground. The Panthers were 3 of 13 on third down.
White had nine carries for 93 yards. He also had a team-leading 10 tackles.
Larkin, a Mr. Football finalist, had 11 carries for 62 yards and two touchdown carries. He had three receptions for 57 yards. He finished the season with 38 total touchdowns.
"I'd take (two state titles) any day of the week (over Mr. Football)," Larkin said. "You get two rings or a plaque or whatever it is."
Freshman linebacker Garrett Bledsoe had nine tackles for La Salle.
Chrisman is No. 13 on the Ohio High School Athletic Association state record list for most consecutive extra points. He didn't have to punt Friday night and said that spoke volumes. He will always remember his four years at La Salle.
"Just the brotherhood," Chrisman said. "The senior class and everything. Just making friends for life with all the seniors. It was awesome."
Friday was the first meeting between La Salle and Perry.
La Salle was ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press Division II poll, while Perry (12-3) was ranked No. 10.
Sims rushed 28 times for 117 net rushing yards.
The Lancers are ranked No. 25 nationally in the USA Today Computer Rankings.
With the state title Friday night, La Salle is the first area team in Ohio to win back-to-back state football titles since Moeller (2012 and '13).
La Salle has 24 seniors, including 22 that were on the 2014 state championship team.
La Salle also joined elite company statewide with the school's second state football title.
La Salle is the third Division II program since to win back-to-back state titles since the Ohio High School Athletic Association went to five divisions in 1980. The others include Akron Buchtel (1987 and '88) and St. Marys Memorial (1992 and '93).
The Lancers were hungry for another ring. It was evident all week.
"I talked about another big ring on the finger," Hilvert said. "I know these kids will remember this forever. I know I will."
Enquirer reporter Adam Baum contributed.
Massillon Perry 0-0-0-0--0
La Salle 14-7-7-14--42
L-Doerger fumble recovery (Chrisman kick)
L-Larkin 7 run (Chrisman kick)
L-Larkin 10 run (Chrisman kick)
L-White 9 pass from Watson (Chrisman kick)
L-Watson 32 run (Chrisman kick)
L-TreSean Smith 47 interception (Chrisman kick)
Records: L 13-2, P 12-3
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/h.../76815804/