Roman Catholic D1 Prospects Roberts, Stead and Lowry Break Down Wild Win

Roman Catholic survived a fourth quarter comeback from La Salle College High School on Friday, Sept. 26 thanks to interceptions from Power Four targets Eyan Stead Jr. and Haamir Lowry and a fourth down catch-and-run touchdown from the former.

Stead put Roman Catholic ahead 39-28 midway through the fourth quarter, extending to haul in a pass from quarterback and Akron commit Semaj Beals. He couldn’t catch the pass in stride, taking wobbly steps with a defender hot on his heels, but managed to regain his balance before racing to the end zone.

Stead credited NFL running back Alvin Kamara for the touchdown, saying that he replicates Kamara’s famous balance drills in order to stay on his feet through contact.

The 5-foot-10 senior, who plays both wide receiver and defensive back, has offers that include Penn State, West Virginia, Pitt, Duke and UNC, and told Philadelphia Sports Now that he plans to make his commitment in the next two weeks. He also showed his ability on the other side of the ball, intercepting a pass on the ensuing drive to preserve the lead he’d provided.

Stead said that his interception came as the result of pre-snap preparation. Keeping an eye on the Explorers’ actions let him know the ball would come his way.

“The receiver called a double move: he went to the side, talked to the quarterback and came out. I’m like double move coming, double move coming. Quarterback thought I was going to bite on it, throws it and it’s mine. A ball in the air is mine,” Stead said. “I was just trying to get the job done, finish the game. That’s it really.”

Coaching Staff Steps Up

Lowry, a defensive back/ATH in the class of 2027 with offers from NC State, Duke, South Carolina, UNC and Wake Forest, said that his interception, which came with less than two minutes left and sealed the 39-36 win, happened because he listened to his coaching staff. Their preparation — and his attentiveness — paid off.

“Before we got on the field, our coaches told us that starting their drive they go across the middle,” Lowry said. “So as soon as I saw he looked at me, I made a play.”

The win moves the 5A Cahillites to 3-2, while they managed to end the Explorers’, who play a class higher in 6A, hopes of an undefeated season. Senior receiver Ash Roberts, who scored three touchdowns and said he’s talking closely with Temple right now, said that the Cahillites aren’t praising themselves for the big win. Even if it’s an upset on paper, Roberts said “We expect to beat them. That’s the standard at Roman Catholic.”

Tidbits

La Salle linebacker Zykee Scott also discussed his ongoing recruiting following the game. A member of the class of 2027, the 6-foot-3, 225 pound defender already has close to a dozen Power Four offers, including from powerhouses like Oregon.

“The Nebraska visit stood out last week, I really liked it. It’s a great school, great environment, great coaches,” Scott said. 

Scott will attend Penn State’s whiteout game against Oregon, and highlighted football instincts, speed and his ability to trust his teammates and stick to his assignments as key factors in his game.