When it comes to big football games, it always comes back to the players. Schemes matter. Coaching matters. But once the ball is snapped, it’s about toughness, effort, and who wins the one-on-one battles. North Penn and La Salle arrive built very differently, but both are built to compete. One is powered by size and grit. The other by speed and depth. What follows is a look at the players who will be in the middle of it all.
North Penn Knights
North Penn plays a brand of football that any old-school coach can respect. They want to run the ball, control the clock, and wear you down. They rely on players who are tough enough to play both sides of the ball and strong enough to battle in the trenches.
Senior quarterback Matt Bucksar leads the offense. He keeps the offense on track, protects the football, and runs the system the way it is designed.
Behind him is senior running back Matt Pownall, the workhorse of the offense. Pownall runs hard, finishes runs, and is not afraid of contact. When North Penn needs a tough yard, he is the one carrying the ball. Junior Rylei Gray adds speed to the backfield and also plays in the secondary. He gives the Knights a home-run threat and brings energy on defense.
Wide receiver Mason Franek gives the offense a steady target in the passing game and also helps in the return game. Nate Schepian is one of those players every coach wants — tight end on offense, linebacker on defense. He blocks, he tackles, and he does the quiet work that wins games.
Up front, North Penn’s offensive line is built on size and chemistry. Jack Staugaitis, Lucas Oropeza, and Dominic Tranzilli form the core of a group that wants to move defenders off the ball. This is not a finesse line. This is a group that wants to control the line of scrimmage.
On defense, the Knights are physical and disciplined. Jack Silvers, Wyatt Martin, John Stokes, Jacob Garrett, and Jarrett Hayward handle the dirty work up front by taking on blocks and clogging running lanes. In the secondary, Pownall, Gray, Franek, and Sal Colella focus on tackling in space and keeping plays in front of them. Lots not forget the young guy back there of late, Ziyon Smith.
North Penn wins with patience, toughness, and teamwork. They are built to grind out long drives and make opponents work for every yard.
La Salle Football
La Salle plays with speed, depth, and constant pressure. They rotate players often and keep fresh legs on the field. They want to force mistakes on defense and strike quickly on offense.
Senior quarterback Gavin Sidwar is now in his fourth year leading the offense. He is calm under pressure and delivers the ball to his playmakers with confidence. He has played in many big games and is comfortable in tight situations.
The running game features 1st League All-Catholic Ahzir Nelson, along with Declan Heilig and Desmond Ortiz. The carries mainly go to Nelson, but the pace never slows. The other two fresh backs can come in, which makes it hard for defenses to keep up in the second half.
One of the most exciting players on the field is Jimmy Mahoney. He plays wide receiver, safety, returns kicks, and helps on coverage teams. He is not the biggest player on the field, but he plays with heart and speed. He was named First Team All-Catholic and holds the school record in the 400 meters. He is the type of player who finds his way into big moments.
Then there is Joey O’Brien, who impacts the game at wide receiver, defensive back, and on special teams. Wherever he lines up, the defense has to know where he is. Josiah Jackson adds speed on the outside and stretches the field.
Tight end John-Patrick Oates plays a big role on both sides of the ball. He blocks in the run game, catches passes near the goal line, and also lines up on defense. He is a tough, dependable player who does many things well.
The offensive line is led by Grayson McKeogh, with Christopher Bernesky, Jacob Jackson, and Danny Lawyer providing steady protection and push in the run game.
On defense, Ryan Fandozzi leads an aggressive front that attacks the backfield. Cooper Heilig controls the middle at linebacker. In the secondary, O’Brien and Lucas Johnson give La Salle two strong cover players. Linebacker Zykee Scott isn’t playing due to transfer rules.
La Salle is built to pressure you for four full quarters with speed and depth.
Final Roster Outlook
North Penn is built for physical football, ball control, and long drives. La Salle is built for speed, pressure, and quick strikes. One team wants a hard-nosed, low-scoring battle. The other is comfortable playing fast and putting points on the board in a hurry.
No matter how it unfolds, the players listed above are the ones who will be in the middle of the action when this game is decided.