Recap: The Billy Hart Traveling Road Show, otherwise known as DeLaSalle, roared through St. Anthony, leaving another good team gasping in its wake. The Islanders, ranked second in Class 4A, rode Hart’s talented limbs and chip-on-his-shoulder attitude over the previously undefeated Huskies. Hart took the field for just two plays in the second half, having done a game’s worth of damage before halftime. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns — two to Marquise Bridges and another to Darryl Atkins Jr. — and ran eight times for 85 yards and three more scores. It was the second time this season that Hart accounted for six touchdowns in a game.

"This is my fourth season on the varsity so I'm very comfortable," said Hart. "Coach [Sean McMenomy] and I have done a lot of work in the summer in 7-on-7 [leagues]. I know where my reads are and what do to do with them."

Hart's reputation is as a passer, but he runs equally well. Many of his yards gained on the ground came after first contact with the defense, once he found a lane, he showed a burst that took St. Anthony's defense by surprise.

"He's a great runner," said St. Anthony coach Todd Niklaus. "He's a quarterback who is also a great running back. When he finds a hole, it's zip and he's gone."

Hart said he spent much of the off-season working on his speed and it's paid off.

"Last year, I ran a 4.8 [40-yard-dash]," he said. "This year, I was timed at 4.6."

St. Anthony coach Todd Niklaus said that his team had the right scheme to stop DeLaSalle but not the athletes to keep up with the Islanders. "We haven't seen that kind of speed," he said. "We were in the right positions and right places, but their speed would suddenly make it the wrong places."

Key to the game: Leading 7-6 late in the first quarter and facing fourth-and-15, Hart found Atkins in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown pass and a 14-6 lead, ending any momentum St. Anthony had. "We have confidence that we can make a play at any time," Atkins said. "If it's not me, it's Marquise or someone else. We're never worried."

The quote: “That is the best DeLaSalle team that we’ve played since I’ve been here.” — St. Anthony coach Todd Niklaus. 

One thing to know: Drayton Carlberg, DeLaSalle’s highly touted defensive lineman, missed his third consecutive game with a high-ankle sprain. Coaches say Carlberg may be ready to play when the Islanders play at Benilde-St. Margaret's Thursday.

JIM PAULSEN

The weather was perfect, the homecoming crowd was buzzing and undefeated St. Anthony went into Friday’s game with Class 4A's second-ranked DeLaSalle thinking upset.

It didn’t take the Islanders long, however, to put those thoughts to rest.

DeLaSalle (5-0) scored touchdowns on its first six possessions behind the brilliant play of quarterback Billy Hart and cruised to a 42-6 victory. 

Playing barely into the third quarter, Hart completed 12 of 17 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns and rushed eight times for 85 yards and three more scores as the Islanders scored all of their point in the first half.

Early on, the game took on the appearance of a shootout. DeLaSalle scored on its first drive on a three-yard run by Hart. St. Anthony followed with a score of its own, taking advantage of a 70-yard kickoff return by Jacob Henderson that set up an Andrew Webster touchdown reception, cutting the lead to 7-6.

The game turned significantly on DeLaSalle’s next drive. Penalties had the Islanders facing a 4th-and-15 from the St. Anthony 25. But Hart found Darryl Atkins Jr. on a fly pattern in the corner of the end zone, bumping the lead to 14-6. 

St. Anthony never recovered.  While the defense was busy chasing Islanders, the offense was stuck in neutral, failing to get a first down for the rest of the half.

The second half was played primarily with substitutes for both teams.