Five Most Impressive Players: DeLaSalle v. Holy Angels

<p>The Holy Angels football team had little difficulty improving to 4-0 on the season, as the Stars bested DeLaSalle 60-6 Sept. 22. While the score was very one-sided, players from both teams were able to stand out and make an impact in the contest.</p> <p>Running back/linebacker <strong>Thomas Shelstad</strong>- Holy Angels</p> <p>Shelstad, one of the Stars&#39; most important players on defense, was forced to switch roles a bit without star running back/middle linebacker <strong>Jack Anderson</strong>. With Anderson recovering from a knee injury, Shelstad was inserted as the Stars&#39; middle linebacker, a shift from his typical strong safety position, and he shared running back duties with <strong>Rook Rowe</strong>. Shelstad had little difficulty adjusting, as he picked up 52 rushing yards and a touchdown, as well as making an impact at linebacker with five tackles. No matter the position, expect Shelstad to continue to stand out for the Stars.</p> <p>Running back <strong>Sage Booker</strong>- DeLaSalle</p> <p>Booker has had back-to-back tough weeks in the box score, as Class 4A powerhouses Benilde-St. Margaret&#39;s and Holy Angels have held him to a combined 79 yards, but Booker refused to let the lack of running room affect him. Booker did most of his damage during running time in the fourth quarter, as he ended the game with 56 yards and a touchdown. Booker, who was hit at or near the line of scrimmage during the first three quarters, found some running room late, as he found room between the right guard and right tackle, as well as running off the right tackle. While Booker has had a pair of tough weeks in a row, he is still the Islanders&#39; biggest offensive threat.</p> <p>Wide receiver/defensive back <strong>Keontay Shorter</strong>- Holy Angels</p> <p>Shorter is just a fun player to watch. Shorter is confident enough in his skills to attempt to get around defenders with his shiftiness and arsenal of juke moves, as well as his physicality, which is on display while he is shutting down opposing receivers. Shorter scored two touchdowns in the contest, a 20-yard touchdown reception and a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown, and frustrated DeLaSalle receivers all night long and was able to draw a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. </p> <p>Wide receiver/kick returner <strong>Xavier Roberts</strong>- DeLaSalle</p> <p>Roberts didn&#39;t have an opportunity to do much on offense, as Holy Angels allowed just 71 passing yards and picked off DeLaSalle quarterbacks <strong>Da&#39;San Frazier</strong> and <strong>Evan Francois</strong> a combined three times, but Roberts showed why he is one of the Islanders&#39; best playmakers with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that was called back because of a penalty. WHile the game served as one to forget for the Islanders, Roberts gave DeLaSalle a reminder of how dangerous he can be when he gets his hands on the ball.</p> <p>Wide receiver <strong>John Kosmach</strong>- Holy Angels</p> <p>At the beginning of the season, Holy Angels head coach<strong> Jim Gunderson</strong> told quarterback <strong>Joe Heimbold</strong> and his receiving corps that the Stars would look to throw the ball more often in 2017. While Shorter and <strong>Ryan Mazurek</strong> have also starred for Holy Angels, Kosmach has played well for the Stars to start the year. Kosmach caught just two passes for 27 yards in the contest, but each catch went for a touchdown, as Kosmach&#39;s first score came after he made a perfect adjustment to a deep ball fro a 22-yard touchdown catch, and the second came on an out route in which he was able to display his strong route running.</p>