Friday night's clash between the De La Salle Collegiate Pilots and Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks was a classic example of "smashmouth" football in the Catholic League Central Division. 

Hard hitting and a great overall defensive effort defined De La Salle's 17-7 triumph over the Shamrocks, which allowed the Pilots (5-0) to capture the Central Division crown with a perfect 3-0 record. 

The Pilots outscored their divisional foes in 2021, 87-48. 

On Friday, the Purple and Gold's strong defensive showing was highlighted by four forced turnovers, including three interceptions (two of which were recorded by senior Devin Schmelter). 

The Pilots were in position to make plays all night long, which, as De La Salle head coach Dan Rohn said after the game, is a credit to DLS defensive coordinator Brandon Bush. 

"I've said it 100 times, and people don't understand: Brandon Bush doesn't get enough credit for being the defensive coordinator that he is and for putting our defense in position and our kids in place to make plays. And the way that he coaches them, the technique and time that he spends is tremendous," Rohn said. 

The game remained scoreless until the Purple and Gold got on the scoreboard, via a 23-yard field goal made by senior Brady Lowe with 9:29 to play in the second quarter. 

Catholic Central scored the contest's next points, on a two-yard rushing score by junior Spencer Lyons with 5:32 remaining in the first half. 

The Pilots held the Shamrocks scoreless for the remainder of the game, outscoring Catholic Central, 14-0, in the final two-and-a-half quarters of play.  

The Purple and Gold's next score came on a 17-yard touchdown pass from junior Brady Drogosh to fellow junior Triston Nichols, with 0:11 to play in the first half. 

De La Salle ended the half on a positive note, with Schmelter picking off his first pass of the night from Catholic Central senior quarterback Declan Byle. The Pilots went into halftime with a 10-7 lead. 

The game would remain that way until the fourth quarter. 

After taking numerous "licks" from the hard-hitting Shamrocks, Rohn's squad punched Catholic Central in the mouth one last time, via a one-yard rushing TD by senior Will Beesley with 2:48 left to play. 

Beesley, a standout linebacker for the Pilots and a Princeton commit, was flying all around the ball Friday night, and certainly made his presence known with multiple bone-crunching hits. 

His strong play was a big reason why De La Salle was so stout defensively against Catholic Central, according to Rohn. 

"We've told Will that he's the leader of this football team and the leader of this defense," Rohn said. "So, when he plays well and makes plays, we're going to play well. And tonight, he played really well. So, we did some good things defensively."  

The Purple and Gold's final scoring drive was set up by an interception from senior Dionte Dandridge with 6:46 to play. 

On the Shamrocks' subsequent possession, junior Mason Muragin wrapped up Byle, and forced him to fumble on a fourth-and-12 play on CC’s 32-yard line. Senior James Milkey proceeded to recover the fumble with about 1:30 to play, officially bringing an end to the Shamrocks' comeback chances. 

Beating Catholic Central is always a big deal for the Pilots community, but Rohn and his team are far from satisfied with what they've accomplished thus far during the 2021 season. They have bigger goals left to achieve, including a Division 2 state championship. 

"This is a solid win, and we'll evaluate it. And, we'll watch film and get better because of it. But, I'm not kidding. I didn't come to De La Salle to just win division championships, and everybody knows that. And, I haven't hid that since the day that I got here," Rohn said. "We have the kids, the community and the support system to be able to be in the state finals every single November. And, I want to build towards that as a program." 

Beesley echoes the sentiment. 

As he emphatically told his teammates after the game, "That was a straight-up war, and that was one step in the right direction. But, we're not done. I'm still hungry. I'm starving." 

And, what is he "starving" for? A state championship. 

Next up for the Pilots, in their pursuit of a Div. 2 state title, is a contest at Detroit U-D Jesuit Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.