De La Salle football clinches division title, locks up playoff spot with win over DCC

DETROIT — Warren De La Salle quarterback Luke Pfromm took two years off from football to focus on basketball, and he’s made his presence felt in his return to the gridiron.

Pfromm helped the Pilots accomplish a couple of things in the team’s 20-6 win over Novi Detroit Catholic Central Oct. 13 at Wayne State University. De La Salle clinched the Catholic High School League Central Division title and locked up a spot in the playoffs with the victory.

Pfromm’s 1-yard touchdown run with 8:24 left sealed the win. It’s the Pilots' first win over the Shamrocks in the last eight meetings.

“These are guys I’ve known for a long time,” said Pfromm, who finished with 79 yards passing, 17 yards rushing and the touchdown. “I wanted to come back to play with them. I look at them like my brothers. That makes this even sweeter.”

De La Salle coach Mike Giannone — who is in his second year with the team — called Pfromm a “gamer.” Giannone said his quarterback commands the respect of all of his teammates.

The game started with a bang, as De La Salle (6-2, 3-0 CHSL Central) wide receiver Jacob Badalamenti took the opening kickoff back 99 yards for a touchdown to give his team a very early 7-0 lead.

“As soon as I saw the hole open up, I knew I was gone,” Badalamenti said.