The De La Salle Spartans high school football team had a season for the history books this year. So outstanding was their performance that MaxPreps has ranked them the #1 team in the United States of America. On Monday, January 21st, in honor of Martin Luther King Day, MaxPreps and the Army National Guard were on-site at a packed house in the Haas Pavilion at UC Berkeley during an eight team basketball tournament hosted by De La Salle to present the MaxPreps Tour of Champions National Ranking Trophy in front of 5,000 raving fans.
After losing to Canyon, 27-13, in the 2006 championship game, De La Salle had an easy time through the 2007 schedule as most of the Spartans games were over by halftime. In fact, they led Centennial of Corona, 31-7, in the third quarter before Centennial rallied to tie the game at 31-31. But Noah Piro’s touchdown gave De La Salle a 37-31 victory and the CIS California Division 1 State championship. De La Salle (13-0) is one of 30 high schools nationwide being honored in the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard.
“MaxPreps is one of the biggest prep football sites in the country,” said head coach Bob Ladouceur, who completed his 29th season at the school. “They cover teams well and accurately. To be honored by them is tremendous.”
The high-scoring Spartan offense, which averaged better than 47 points per game and five times eclipsed the 50-point plateau. Mike McGillvaray and Blake Wayne split time at quarterback with McGillvaray passing for 1,240 yards and 18 touchdowns and Wayne tossing for 731 Yards and a dozen TDs. He also ran for 559 yards and 10 touchdowns. Combined, they only had three passes intercepted in 133 attempts.
Senior Michael Czyz was their favorite receiver as he made 29 catches for 879 yards and tallied 17 TDs. Tito Pica rushed for 1,263 yards and 18 TDs while Kylan Butler ran for 953 yards and 18 TDs and caught five passes for scores.
On behalf of the school, Coach Ladouceur was presented with an 18-inch tall bronze statue on a wood block base from California Army National Guard Major Bristow during halftime of the MLK Tournament at Haas Pavilion at UC-Berkeley.
I had an outstanding time at the De La Salle Martin Luther King Tournament this year for the MaxPreps Trophy Presentation. I would wish Coach Ladouceur the best of luck next season, but I know he doesn’t need it. Go Spartans!
