Seton-La Salle ready to ride ‘The Train’ into postseason

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 24, 2017 | 9:45 PM

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The Seton-La Salle football team is hoping to ride the train — the “Lionel Express” — into the WPIAL playoffs this season.

Seton-La Salle's Lionel Deanes, a 5-foot-7, 185-pound senior nicknamed “The Train,” was the leading rusher in Class 3A last season with 1,814 yards and 15 touchdowns on 249 carries.

For his performance, he was named to the Pennsylvania Football News Class 3A all-state team, as well as being selected first-team all-conference.

Deanes has been the Rebels leading rusher the past two seasons. He also rambled for 1,291 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore, averaging 10.2 yards per carry.

For his varsity career, he has accounted for 3,158 yards and 31 touchdowns on 387 carries, and has gained an average of 8.2 yards per rushing attempt.

“Lionel is a complete back. He has quick feet, good cutting ability, and he is powerful,” coach Rob Carter said. “He can play in any system — zone, power or spread. He can catch passes out of the backfield, and block defensive ends if needed.”

Deanes has received plenty of preseason honors, as fans and media outlets expect more of the same.

“I honestly am not worried about myself,” Deanes said. “I just want to help the team succeed the best way I can, because at the end of the day, you have to win. I just don't want to be selfish and make my final year (of high school) about breaking records or being the top rusher in the WPIAL.

“I'm thankful for my coaches pushing our team all offseason to get us ready for the Friday nights.”

It appears this year Deanes will be one of those athletes that rarely leaves the field during a game.

“He is going to play safety and corner as needed,” Carter said, “as well as help in the return game.”

Deanes is as tenacious in the classroom as he is on the football field. He sports a 4.0 grade-point average, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He also is in the AV/TV broadcast club.

Deanes is being recruited by Ivy League and DII and DIII schools. Two that have displayed early interest include Dartmouth and Brown.

“My recruiting process is stressful,” Deanes said. “I just wish a school would actually consider looking at me and take into consideration what I do for the size I am. I feel I am overlooked, but really should be looked at because I am almost always the smallest guy starting on both sides of the field. And being able to do what I do, I feel schools should really look at that.”

His coach is unwavering in his confidence in Deanes, and believes he indeed has a bright future.

“Some college will get a gem in Lionel,” Carter said.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.