De La Salle football eyes state finals

WARREN — De La Salle football has not only built off the momentum of last year’s perfect season, but they are also one game away from taking their third straight trip to Ford Field for the Michigan High School Athletic Association football state championship.

The reigning Division 2 state champions have appeared in the state finals game five times since 2014, winning four titles in the process.

Behind senior quarterback Brady Drogosh, a University of Cincinnati commit, De La Salle Collegiate earned its 11th win on the year in a 55-7 victory over Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse on Nov. 11 at Wayne State University.

Drogosh, who only played in the first half, threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns while adding 120 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

“We drove the ball, but we couldn’t stop them. Brady Drogosh is everything you write him up to be,” L’Anse Creuse coach Orande Roy said.

De La Salle jumped out to a 48-0 lead at the half but was met with some resistance by L’Anse Creuse’s opening drive.

L’Anse Creuse had the De La Salle defense on its heels, but defensive senior leaders Mason Muragin (DE) and James McDonald showed why the team allowed only 19 points per game. Muragin, a University of Illinois commit, tallied 14 sacks and 27 tackles for loss this season while McDonald added 106 tackles on the year.

“They put together a really nice drive out the gate, but our defense made the adjustments to keep them out of the end zone,” De La Salle coach Dan Rohn said. “Once we got the ball and we put a couple quick ones on the board, I think it took the wind out of their sails.”

Senior wide receivers Jack Yanachik, Aaron White, Triston Nichols, and junior running back Rhett Roeser each recorded a touchdown reception in the win.

While its senior leadership has been consistent on the field, Rohn said there’s an added element they bring to the team, as well.

“It’s important that they’ve been there, and they understand what it takes, and that it’s also a process each week,” Rohn said. “Them teaching the younger guys that process is almost more important than what they do in the game.”

De La Salle will take on Birmingham Groves on Nov. 19 at Troy Athens High School in the state semifinals. The teams last met in De La Salle’s championship-winning season in 2018 where De La Salle earned the 28-0 victory.

In order to have a shot at back-to-back state championships, Rohn said there’s one thing his team needs to improve on.

“I think we let our emotions get the best of us this early,” Rohn said. “We had a couple early penalties, and we need to clean those up when we get higher up.”