John Knebels
Sports Columnist

Of the Catholic League’s 14 golf programs St. Joseph’s Prep and La Salle were the two top teams this year.

Just look at the evidence.

After shooting a blistering 498 to win the Catholic League golf championship by eight strokes over second-place La Salle on Oct. 5 at Raven’s Claw Golf Club in Pottstown, the Hawks were defeated by La Salle by six strokes in the PIAA District 12 final at Philadelphia’s Island Green Country Club one week later.

In the Catholic League final, Kieran Ryan (sixth, with a score of 81), John Leighton and Zach Melnick (tie for seventh, 82) and Ken Taras (tie for ninth, 83) led the way.

“We had incredible talent and we were so consistent,” said Prep coach Christian Patragnoni. “They did a phenomenal job.”

Patragnoni lauded La Salle for rebounding in districts, labeling the Explorers’ 303 score “phenomenal.”{{more}}

In the league final, Father Judge placed third thanks to tournament champion Steven Owens III with a score of 515, one better than fourth-place Roman Catholic. In fifth place was Archbishop Wood with a score of 524.

Among the leaders for the Vikings has been senior Paul Carbone. The four-time All-Catholic and two-time player of the year joined three other golfers in a second-place tie after shooting an 80 in the par 71 course, just one shot behind Owens.

Carbone then went on to finish first in the PIAA District 12 inspanidual championship, his even-par 72 one stroke better than La Salle’s P.J. Acierno. Carbone thus advanced to the PIAA Eastern Regional Finals at Golden Oaks Country Club in Fleetwood, Pa., which were underway at press time.

A one-handicap standout, Carbone this year captured the Men’s Club Championship at Old York Road Country Club in Spring House before placing fourth in the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Tournament of Champions at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club.

“I wish we had been able to do better as a team but we had nothing to be ashamed of,” said Carbone. “The competition in the Catholic League has always been very tough.”

Quick hits:

There were several particularly impressive football performances last Saturday, Oct. 16.

In Lansdale Catholic’s 35-7 win over Neumann-Goretti, senior Mike Bradley caught two touchdown passes for a total of 135 yards and also ran in another score from 35 yards out.

In La Salle’s 42-14 victory over Father Judge, tackle Ryan Geiger was unreal. Not only did he return an interception for a touchdown, but he was involved with 10 tackles, six of which were for losses.

West Catholic stopped Conwell-Egan behind running backs Brandon Hollomon (115 yards rushing) and Joshua Mathis (114 yards).

Roman Catholic upended Archbishop Ryan 36-0, as Marcus Kelly gained 110 yards on 17 carries.

Desmon Peoples’ 168 yards rushing helped lift Archbishop Wood to a 49-0 win over Archbishop Carroll.