There were 11 offensive turnovers. La Salle picked off Chris Martin twice and recovered three Hawks fumbles. St. Joe's Prep intercepted Chris Kane four times and recovered two fumbles.
The Hawks' special teams also recovered an onside kick in the fourth quarter.
The key turnover came with the Hawks leading by 24-16 and La Salle having picked up two first downs to drive to its own 35-yard line with a little less than two minutes to play.
The Explorers then tried a hook and lateral, but Jared Herrmann fumbled the ball after receiving the flip. The Hawks recovered with 1 minute, 35 seconds left, and then ran out the clock.
La Salle led, 16-10, entering the final quarter. Chris Martin, the Hawks' quarterback, scored on a 2-yard run to give Prep a 17-16 lead with 9:52 to play.
About six minutes later, Olamide Zaccheaus, who had an impressive second half for the Hawks, scored on a 38-yard run to put the Prep up by two scores. The sophomore carried the ball 15 times for 139 yards overall.
The 16 points for the Explorers are the fewest they've scored all season, and the 24 they allowed are the most they've yielded.
Early in the game, turnovers were exchanged, with each side coughing up the ball twice in the first quarter. The first four combined possessions resulted in turnovers, as neither offense seemed comfortable.
Consistently throughout the game when it looked as if either team could take control and gain momentum, it would turn the ball over, giving its opponent an opportunity.
In each team's first six offensive possessions, La Salle gained only 144 yards, and the Prep gained 135.
The difference maker in the first half was a 79-yard interception return by La Salle senior Mike Eife. The big play stopped the driving Hawks and put the Explorers up, 7-3.
La Salle 0 7 9 0 – 16
St. Joseph's Prep 0 3 7 14 – 24
SJP: Kyle Battin FG 35
LS: Mike Eife 79 interception return (Ryan Winslow kick)
SJP: Todd Jones 51 interception return (Battin kick)
LS: FG Winslow 27
LS: Jared Herrmann 29 from Chris Kane (kick no good)
SJP: Chris Martin 2 run (Battin kick)
SJP: Olamide Zaccheaus 38 run (Battin kick)
Contact Kate Harman at rallysports@phillynews.com.
