This year supposed to be different. In the end, however, it was very much the same.

DeLaSalle’s season was ended in 2013 in a loss to Holy Angels in the Class 4A state tournament semifinals. The Islanders played most of the game without quarterback Billy Hart, who left the game early with an injury.

This year, with Hart healthy and putting up gaudy stats, the Islanders were looking for revenge. Instead, they got another lesson in what it takes to win big games. Holy Angels shut down Hart and the high-flying Islanders, showing that last seasopn was no fluke in a 16-12 victory.

The Stars pressured Hart relentlessly and took away the deep pass, forcing him to scramble frequently and throw short, meaningless passes.

“That’s a lot of work and preparation right there,” Stars coach Ray Betton said. “We had a good game plan.”

Trailing 12-9 in the fourth quarter, Holy Angels put together its most impressive drive of the season, going 70 yards in 16 plays, capped by a one-yard touchdown run by fullback John Kipper for a 16-12 lead. The defense then held firm, intercepting Hart after he had driven the Islanders to the Stars 30-yard line in the final minute.

“We could feel the momentum on our side,” middle linebacker Bryan Crossman said. “This is as big a regular season win as we’ve ever had.”

Key to the game: The Holy Angels defensive front seven. The Stars were quicker up front, routinely shooting gaps and putting pressure on Hart. And when Hart would complete a pass, the receivers rarely had room to run after the catch and make a big play, a DeLaSalle specialty. The only long play they gave up was Marquise Bridges’ 53-yard TD on a bubble screen in the third quarter.

Quote: “It burns me when people underestimate us. But we tell the kids not to take it personally. Leave the hype outside and just play your game.” – Holy Angels coach Ray Betton.

One thing to know: Holy Angels (7-0) has a chance to complete the first undefeated regular season in school history with a victory at St. Anthony Wednesday.

It’s an old axiom but a good one and, in Holy Angels’ case, very true.

The Stars held high-powered DeLaSalle’s spread offense in check, proving that strong defense beats  good offense, pulling out a 16-12 victory Friday in a battle of unbeaten teams.

Junior running back John Kipper scored on a one-yard run with 2:25 left in the game to give Holy Angels the lead for good. Kipper’s run capped a 16-play, 70-yard drive that included two fourth-down conversions.

DeLaSalle had taken a 12-9 lead in the third quarter on a 53-yard catch-and-run by Marquise Bridges, but it was the only big play of the game for a team that thrived on big plays.

DeLaSalle entered the game ranked No. 2 in Class 4A while Holy Angels was ranked No. 3. Holy Angels ended DeLaSalle’s season in the Class 4A state tournament semifinals in 2013 and proved Friday that last year’s victory was no fluke.

Check back later for more on the game.