Congratulating LaSalle High School Delivered by Rep. Steve Chabot, December 10, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today a proud alumnus of Cincinnati’s LaSalle High School, because, for the first time in the school’s 54-year history, the Lancers have won the Ohio state football championship.
Last Friday evening, the Lancers claimed the title with a 55 to 20 victory—breaking the record for most points ever scored in an Ohio Division II championship game.
LaSalle’s offense was so strong this season that in each of their 5 playoff games, they averaged nearly 50 points. Leading the offense was Junior running back Jeremy Larkin, who ran over 2,500 yards in 15 games, scored 42 touchdowns, and is now a finalist for the coveted Ohio Mr. Football Award.
All season long, LaSalle competed with the best of the best, finishing with 14 wins and one nail-biting loss to the St. X Bombers, including victories over such powerhouses as Moeller, Elder and Colerain High Schools.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, La Salle is my alma mater. I graduated in 1971, and played football all four years.
I played on the defensive line, and my senior year we won seven games, lost one (coincidently to future Speaker John Boehner’s Moeller High School, where he played football too, although he’d already graduated three years earlier), and we tied Elder zero-zero in the Pit, and tied St. X 18-18.
My brother Dave, who’s 10 years younger than me, also played football for LaSalle. He was a defensive back.
LaSalle will always have a special place in my heart. I learned many of life’s most important lessons in her halls and on the football field.
And as a matter of fact, my political career got its start at LaSalle when I was first elected to student council.
LaSalle is a great school, and I want to thank the coaches, teachers, and staff, and especially the parents who have made the sacrifices to pay the tuition that have made it possible for their sons to receive such a tremendous education.
Mr. Speaker, boxing legend Muhammad Ali once said “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream and a vision.”
This season, the Lancers had the desire to make every practice count and play every game as if it were their last.
They shared a dream that was strong enough to overcome the many distractions high school kids often face.
And, their coaches gave them the vision that their hard-work and sacrifice would pay off in the end.
Mr. Speaker, Lancers roll deep. This season illustrated that. To the team, school, and community, congratulations on a season well played and a job well done.
