FOOTBALL | Bland, Keating, Martin have De La Salle in 6A playoff hunt
Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:01
BY TAYLOR BELL
To succeed in the state playoffs, teams need difference-makers to gain an edge. De La Salle coach Dan O'Keefe believes he has at least three of them in wide receiver/cornerback D.J. Bland, linebacker Ed Keating and quarterback Juwan Martin.
''We have more weapons than we've had in the past,'' said O'Keefe, whose 2007 team advanced to the state quarterfinals. ''Defense is our key. We have made 24 interceptions. And only three teams have scored on our starting defense in 10 games.''
The Meteors (8-2), who play at Crystal Lake Central in a Class 6A matchup on Saturday, are experienced and battle-tested. They were unbeaten in the Catholic League's White Division. Their only losses were to perennial Catholic Blue powers Providence and Mount Carmel.
Heading a nucleus of 12 returning starters from last year's 8-5 squad are Bland and Keating.
