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A deeper dive into the Southeastern Pennsylvania football Top 10: La Salle

The Explorers' only loss came to No. 1 St. Joseph's Prep.

Quarterback Jack Machita has been the catalyst for La Salle on offense.
Quarterback Jack Machita has been the catalyst for La Salle on offense.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

We take a closer look every week at one of the Top 10 football teams. This week: The 6-1 La Salle Explorers.

Where they rank

La Salle has made the No. 3 spot in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Top 10 rankings its home away from home. The Explorers have been ranked third since the second edition of the rankings. Their only loss this season came against St. Joseph’s Prep, which has put a lock on the No. 1 spot so far this season.

Why they are among the top 10

Since its loss to St. Joseph’s Prep, La Salle has defeated its last two opponents by a combined score of 98-7. The Explorers have dominated consistently on both sides of the ball and look like one of the most complete teams in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Offensively, senior quarterback Jack Machita and sophomore running back Sam Brown lead the way. Machita has thrown two touchdown passes in each of his last two games. His junior season ended with a thumb injury in Week 2, and he was forced to watch as the Explorers finished 5-6. He has been the catalyst that the offense has needed through seven games.

At 6-foot-3, Brown’s size mirrors a wide receiver more than a running back, but his position is clear when he has the ball. Brown gets downhill fast and doesn’t get caught from behind. He has scholarship offers from Baylor, Temple and Michigan State, among others.

Other contributing factors

The defense has allowed more than 15 points only twice in seven games. Seniors Dillon Trainer, Sam Graham and Ryan Savage have been the leaders of their front seven.

Trainer, a linebacker, has offers from Villanova, Colgate and Penn, according to Rivals.

What’s next

The Explorers will host Archbishop Wood at William Tennent in their pink-out game for Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Friday at 7 p.m.