De La Salle repeat as Champions, demolishing FHC 52-13

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The De La Salle Pilots defeated the Forest Hills Central Rangers 52-13 in the Divison 2 State Championship. It wasn't much of a contest, as DLS scored with ease and defended extremely well. The powerhouse does it again in decisive fashion, while Forest Hills Central goes home disappointed but with the understanding they ran into a truly special team. This article will recap the entire game, including a box score, standout players, and quarter-by-quarter analysis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Box Score </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td>1st</td><td>2nd</td><td>3rd</td><td>4th</td><td>Final</td></tr><tr><td>De La Salle</td><td>21</td><td>17</td><td>14</td><td>0</td><td>52</td></tr><tr><td>Forest Hills Central</td><td>0</td><td>13</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>13</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players of the Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB | [player_tooltip player_id='186875' first='Brady' last='Drogosh'] | De La Salle | 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FHC Head Coach Tim Rogers stated that he doesn't know why Drogosh has offers from the likes of Alabama and Michigan. Once again, Drogosh proved to be the best player on the field. His checks at the line, reading of the defense, subtle movements to throw the safeties off, accuracy, poise (I could go on and on) are absolutely elite. He's extremely deserving of another Championship Ring, and he'll be an awesome player at Cinci, I have no doubt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Passing: 21 - 23, 249 yds, 2 TDs, 0 Int, 0 Sack Rushing: 15 carries, 152 yards, 3 TDs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB/WR | [player_tooltip player_id='251945' first='Ty' last='Hudkins'] | Forest Hills Central | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudkins performed extremely well in areas you wouldn't immediately expect. Getting this out of the way, his pass coverage was ok. He had good coverage on some guys, but the complexity of the pass game threw him off a bit. His defense in the run game shined, with 12 total tackes, 1 TFL, and a fumble recovery. Per usual, he laid down the wood and was absolutely relentless on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Ty had a good game. When it came down to needing a big play, FHC oftentimes relied on Ty to deliver. Offensively, he totaled 3 receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown, in addition to 2 carries for 15 yards. He also returned kicks. Ty was on the field practically every snap. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense: 7 Solo, 5 Assisted, 1 TFL, 1 FR. Receiving: 3 Rec, 42 yds, 1 TD. Rushing: 2 carries, 15 yards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR/KR [player_tooltip player_id='402051' first='Damion' last='King'] IV | De La Salle | 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King took over as DLS's main offensive weapon. His returns often set De La Salle up with great field position, while he was Drogosh's #1 target. I'll have to review more film to see what he did really well in the pass game, but one things for sure; he was uncoverable. And get this; He's just a freshman!!! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB | Nolan Hartall | Forest Hills Central | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hartall was another defensive player that stood out for FHC. Although they gave up 52 points, Hartall was making plays. Granted, there were times where he was covered up, but he made some momentum-shifting plays. I was aware of Hartall before this game, but his performance here has surely raised his stock. I look forward to watching more film of him prior to the 2024 rankings update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense: 5 Solo, 5 Assisted, 0.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Quarter-by-quarter recap</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>1st</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De La Salle came out of the gates extremely strong in the first half. Their offensive script worked to perfection, as they scored on all four 1st-quarter drives. The offensive line protected well, and [player_tooltip player_id='186875' first='Brady' last='Drogosh'] led the balanced offense downfield. Defensively, FHC didn't have any answers, while De La Salle didn't allow FHC to do much of anything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first quarter was all DLS, but FHC adjusted their game plan going into the 2nd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2nd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although De La Salle widened their lead in the 2nd-quarter, Forest Hills Central made major offensive and defensive progress. The key to FHC success was forcing turnovers and scoring off them, plus making a change at QB. Mason McDonald started for the Rangers with Osterhouse sidelined with a lingering injury, but the situation proved to be dire enough to put in the injured starter. FHC forced two fumbles this quarter and scored two impressive touchdowns afterward. De La Salle scored a touchdown early in the 2nd, then finished with a last-second field goal. The score was 38-13 in favor of De La Salle, but all momentum was on Forest Hills Central's side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>3rd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forest Hills Central received the 2nd-half kickoff but couldn't do much with their first drive. After a few incompletions, they had to punt it away. On DLS's first possession, they drive the field and score another touchdown. At this point, Mason McDonald stepped back in at the QB position for FHC. It was a slower quarter, with both defenses playing well. Still, De La Salle was able to widen their lead by 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4th</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 4th-quarter came began, [player_tooltip player_id='186875' first='Brady' last='Drogosh'] was subbed out, and both teams began sending in the subs. It was what you'd expect out of a blowout in the 4th-quarter; no scoring, and lots of running the clock out. Of course, FHC tried to make things happen on offense, but with no success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De La Salle may be the best team in the state this year. During the postgame press conferences, FHC head coach Tim Rogers told all of us that he couldn't find a single weakness in DLS's game, and I would have to agree. I do wholeheartedly think this D2 finals were a representation of the best two D2 teams, but DLS is a mile ahead of anyone else. Next season, despite a large 2023 class, De La Salle will be the heavy state title favorite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->