La Salle football coach Antoine Peterson was so impressed with Mike Novell’s performance last week against Maranatha that he’s declared Novell, a senior, the starting quarterback for Friday’s game at San Marino.
Peterson until last week had conceded to playing two quarterbacks, but Austin Wallis, a junior, struggled to generate drives. He completed 6 of 9 passes for 57 yards and the Lancers (0-2) could not capitalize on five Minutemen turnovers.
Novell, who has a significant height advantage at 6-foot-1 over the 5-8 Wallis, entered the second half against Maranatha and finished with 179 yards on 13 of 24 passing. Novell, however, did have an interception to none from Wallis.
Nevertheless, Novell impressed.
“He handled himself well,” Peterson said. “The team responded to him, so he deserves it (the start).”
La Salle grew frustarted at its inability to generate a scoring drive. Even when they got a break in the first half after Maranatha fumbled at its 10 yard line, the Lancers felt like they came away empty with just a 27-yard field goal from Rachel Albright, La Salle’s lone points of the night in a 20-3 loss. Worse, La Salle’s given up 46 consecutive points dating back to two weeks ago in which the Lancers led 21-0 in the third quarter before losing, 26-21.
“It was unbelievable to me,” Peterson said. “We just couldn’t get anything going. We stalled and couldn’t capitalize off any of that momentum. It was another game we gave away. We can’t keep giving games away.”
BARRERO SCHEDULES MRI
La Salle’s Matt Barrero went down with an injury with 10:58 left in the fourth quarter and lay still on the field for five minutes before getting up on his own power.
But as he tried jogging off the field, Barrero took all but four steps before his right knee buckled and again went down. He was helped off the field and did not return to the game.
Peterson said Barrero is scheduled to have an MRI done today.
“His parents said the swelling is done and he’s doing well right now,” Peterson said. “We’re hoping it’s just a sprain, but we won’t know until we get the results back.”
Barrero, a senior defensive tackle, had a lineman’s dream last week when he returned a fumble 90 yards for a score.
