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Roman Catholic Defeats La Salle College in Convincing but close Fashion

Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub

| September 27, 2025

DOWN GOES NUMBER ONE!

Tonight La Salle College High School faced off against Roman Catholic at Leslie C. Quick Stadium, (Widener University.) The third ranked 5A Cahilletes knocked off number one 6A La Salle by a score of 39-36 and although the Explorers occasionally flashed at life, Roman Catholic controlled this game. The purple and gold found themselves most successful on third and fourth down, on these downs they were able to convert at a very high percentage. 

Coming into this game Gavin Sidwar was just 48 yards from surpassing his head coach and former La Salle quarterback as the Explorers all time leading passer. The play that broke the record was a deep ball to Sidwar’s favorite target, Joey O’Brien. The two connected for a 55 yards touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. 

Roman Catholic’s offense then flashed the greatness we would see all night as Semaj Beals completed a nice touchdown pass to Ashdon Roberts to even the score. This was Roberts’ first touchdown of the night and the heavily talented wide receiver said that “On the first day I stepped on Roman’s campus it just clicked, that’s my boy (Semaj Beals), we’re going to keep working and getting better”. Through the first two possessions two of the best catholic league quarterbacks had found their favorite pass catchers for touchdowns. 

On the following drive Sidwar found O’Brien again but this time Coach Gordon had drew up some trickery. O’Brien caught the ball but then immediately flipped the ball to Jimmy Mahoney who used his speed to run the ball all the way in for a touchdown. 

Ashdon Roberts didn’t bat an eye, however, after muffing the kickoff he corralled the ball and sprinted it all the way back for a score. Unfortunately for Roman they missed the extra point making the score 14-13 La Salle. 

As the game progressed the Roman Cahilletes looked better and better. Once again in the first half Ashdon Williams caught a pass from Beals for an extremely long touchdown giving the Cahillettes the lead. To this point both defenses had looked nothing short of lackluster and the offenses were moving with ease.

Down a score, Gavin Sidwar stayed calm under the immense pressure building at Widener. He led his offense down the field and Ahzir Nelson powered in a run from about five yards out to take the lead. Once again Roman was not fazed and came back to score. 

The second half was all Roman, they were outperforming La Salle in every part of the game. Semaj Beals couldn’t help but find a way to convert third downs time in and time out. Beals found running back Ronnie Montgomery and then receiver Eisa Neely for two touchdowns.

 

At this point in the game Roman was leading 33-21.La Salle answered with an Ahzir Nelson touchdown run but Roman topped that with a 45 yard Semaj Beals touchdown pass. The Explorers were hanging in but on life support. During this part of the game Roman was leading 39-28.

Late in the fourth quarter Sidwar found Joey O’Brien again for a touchdown and two point conversion. This gave the La Salle faithful a glimmer of hope, only trailing by 3. That glimmer increased in size when the Explorers defense forced a quick three and out forcing Roman to punt. 

With 1:30 left in the fourth quarter the momentum had finally seemed to go La Salle’s way. Their senior quarterback had a chance to march down the field and steal a win out of the Roman grasp. Rather than this, Sidwar threw a game losing interception while targeting J.P. Oates. Haamir Lowry made the game sealing play and exclaimed “They started the drive off by going across the middle, so as soon as he (Sidwar,) looked at me, I’m in my head saying that I have to make a play.” And make a play he did, Lowry intercepted the ball and Roman Catholic was able to end the game in victory formation. 

Roman’s schedule does not get any easier just like La Salle. Haamir Lowry commented on the upcoming games, “I feel like we’re going to compete and win those games, we just have to prepare and get to work.” 

Beals who ended the night with a signature win said that this accomplishment “felt great, I could not do it without my guys though, we all played a part in this win tonight.” 

 

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