PLYMOUTH WHITMARSH - In front of a packed crowd at Plymouth-Whitemarsh Stadium, the La Salle Explorers ended their winless streak against rivals St. Joe's Prep yesterday afternoon in what seemed like a sure win for the Hawks.
La Salle Celebrates 29-28 Victory over St. Joe's Prep -photo Nick Ormsby
La Salle Celebrates 2015 AAAA PCL Title Trophy Win -photo Nick Ormsby
Video Courtesy WEXPTV La Salle College High School
The game started off with two early touchdowns by the Prep, leaving La Salle fans reminiscent of their previous championship woes.
However, La Salle gained one back late in the first quarter making it 14-7 after senior quarterback Chris Ferguson hit Charles Headen for a 25 yard touchdown.
Then, with 16 seconds remaining in the first quarter, La Salle tied it up after Jared Walls returned a 49 yard interception.
It looked like La Salle was going to take the lead in the final minute of the first half when the Prep’s Richard Carr ‘17 intercepted a pass and ran it back for a 95 yard touchdown.
After a field goal for La Salle and another Prep touchdown, the score was 28-17 with the Hawks in the lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The explorers, trying to claw their way back into the game, scored again when Syarie Madden '17 ran it in from four yards out. The extra point was missed. The Explorers gained possession back with under 5 minutes remaining.
A couple crucial first downs later and La Salle was almost there. Then it happened, with 49 seconds left on the clock, Ferguson passed the ball to Nick Rinella, who somehow managed a one-handed catch despite the three-man Prep coverage. Rinella held on to the ball bringing it down for the touchdown and for the incredible 29-28 win over the Hawks.
This is the Explorers 15th AAAA PCL Title in its school’s history and a first for new head coach John Steinmetz ’77.
La Salle advances to the District 12 Championship game against Simon Gratz this Saturday, November 28th at Northeast High School.
La Salle Kicks Off -photo Nick Ormsby
Final Scoreboard La Salle vs St. Joe's Prep 2015 PCL Championship Game -photo Nick Ormsby