As August began. mosl young men from La Salle were just beginning to look fortheir shins and ties that had becn lost formOl1ths: however, a very selecl few wcre str'lpping on football pads for Ihe first hot and humid practices of the 2004 Explorer football season. As he has done evcry season. Head Coach Joe Colistra began his first pre-practice speech wilh his famous seven words: "This season belongs to the seniors: FOREVER." La Salle's returning seniors included ten varsity lettennen and several others who would make major contributions to the team-On offense: Co-Captain and quanerback Mike Lynch: receivers Tom little. Kevin Trainer, Rob Forster: tighl ends Tom Jorfi and Brian Azeff: running backs Eddie DiDonato and Eddie Valentino: and linemen CoCaptain Andrew Rocks. John Clifford. Slew Ry'lI1. Sean Guinan. Mike Andrews. Christi'lll Barrell. Jack Crouse. Mike Grant. and Brad Murtha: On Defense: Mike Boyle at safcty: Sean McGoldrick. Fran
Coach Travers going over lhe offensive scheme with 08 Mike lynch,
Junior GfO(ge Hudson giving everything he's got on the field!
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Daulerio, and Adam Sutkus at defensive line: and Joe SobocinskJ at defensive end, The 2004 Explorers faced great adversity early in the season with sever"l injuries !O key starters. culminating in the season-ending injury of team leader Andrew Rocks in the 0' Ham game, Nevenheless, the sea!:>on did lake a tum for the better: and the seniors led their team 10 a run on the playoffs and ended the regular season wilh commanding victories over Bonner and North Calholic, Unfortunalely. the playoffs ended in a close loss 10 Archbishop Ryan, The Explorers had a strong showing with eight players receiving All-Catholic recognition: First Team: Christian Barrelt DT, Jack Forster DB: Second Team: Mike Lynch QB, John Clifford OL. George Hudson LB: Honorable Mention: Greg Frantz alB, Mike Boyle DB. Tom Jorfi TE. -Slew Ryan '05