North Catholic gets offense rolling in triumph over Seton LaSalle

By: Bob Orkwis
Friday, August 22, 2025 | 11:53 PM

North Catholic started fast, firing on all cylinders, scoring on its first three drives and adding a defensive touchdown, on the way to routing Seton LaSalle, 47-14, in a Class 3A vs. Class 2A nonconference matchup.

“We executed all of the things that we wanted to execute well,” North Catholic coach Chris Rizzo said. “That’s the way that you want to start a season. The biggest change that we have been thinking about from last year, is how green we were, and this year we feel like we are a more veteran team.”

Logan Shade capped off the opening drive with a 9-yard touchdown run, and the senior running back ended the second drive with a 19-yard score to put the Trojans up 13-0.

Junior Will Waskiewicz intercepted a Jack Meade pass on the next Rebels drive and returned it 26 yards for a 20-0 lead.

Meade was able to answer on the first play of the second quarter, when he hit Matthew Brodzinski in stride for a 52-yard touchdown to bring Seton LaSalle within 13 points.

The vaunted North Catholic passing attack then found its stride, with quarterback Joey Felitsky hitting wide receiver Ryker Kennedy for touchdowns of 40 and 34 yards.

Sandwiched in between those two scores, senior Tom Arth picked up a fumble at the Seton LaSalle 5-yard line after a high snap and took it in for a score.

“Our performance defensively, again,” Rizzo said, “lends credence to the amount of time those guys played last year. We are able to do a little bit more, and it seems like the game is moving slower for them.”

#HSSN Highlights: North Catholic rolled over Seton LaSalle in a Class 3A vs. Class 2A Week 0 matchup to kick of the 2025 WPIAL season. The Trojans score early and often to defeat the Rebels 47-14 on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/VNs8EncFMa

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) August 23, 2025

North Catholic held a 41-7 lead at halftime.

Felitsky and Kennedy, both seniors, were the top passing duo in the WPIAL last season, combining for 97 completions and more than 1,200 yards. The chemistry was on display again Friday.

“We saw (the chemistry) all spring and summer in 7-on-7, but you get nervous when there are eleven players out there, and there are pads and tackling, but their timing was great, and they have not seemed to miss a beat at all,” Rizzo said.

Schade, who carried six times for 79 yards, added his third score in the third quarter to start the running clock.

Coach Rizzo thought Schade’s performance was also a carryover from last season.

“Logan was a guy who came on for us late last year. He was always in the mix, but he took the offseason seriously. He grew up and matured his body a little bit. He understands what we are trying to get him to do from the running back position.”

Kymarr Freeman added a second touchdown for the Rebels with a 26-yard run late in the third quarter to make the final score 47-14.

Meade, who was the starting JV quarterback for Seton LaSalle last season, completed 7 of 12 passes for 104 yards and the touchdown. He was intercepted three times, and the Rebels also lost a pair of fumbles.

Felitsky, who threw for 2,992 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, completed 11 of 15 attempts for 259 yards and the two scores to Kennedy, who had four catches for 77 yards.

Seton LaSalle (0-1), came into the contest ranked No. 3 in the 2A preseason rankings and is on the road again next Saturday, visiting Bishop Canevin.

North Catholic (1-0) continues its three game nonconference homestand next Friday when it hosts Blackhawk at JC Stone Field in North Park.

Tags: North Catholic, Seton La Salle