Cue the bell for Round 2.
After squaring off in a regular-season matchup a month ago, archrivals La Salle and St. Joseph's Prep are set to slug it out again.
The stakes are much higher this time, with Saturday's 1 p.m. showdown at Plymouth Whitemarsh serving as the Catholic League Class AAAA championship game.
In the Oct. 13 clash, with the squads combining for a ghastly 12 turnovers, the Hawks triumphed, 24-16, in front of about 8,000 spectators.
La Salle is trying for its fifth consecutive league title and sixth in seven seasons. The Prep is aiming for its first crown since 2005.
Here is a closer look at the final.
Records. The Explorers, ranked No. 3 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, are 9-1 overall; the No. 1-ranked Hawks are 9-0.
Round 1. In Week 7 vs. La Salle, the Hawks intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles. Their defense allowed just one touchdown.
Weather. A mild, 60-degree afternoon is forecast for Saturday.
Banged up. La Salle quarterback Chris Kane has been slowed by a high ankle sprain. At least two other Explorers, running back Jared Herrmann and cornerback Dad Poquie, have been fighting through injuries.
Quick tempo. The Prep's no-huddle, spread offense is averaging 28.1 points. It is fueled by dual-threat QB Chris Martin and halfbacks Olamide Zaccheaus and Vince Moffett.
At the ready. La Salle's Jimmy Herron, a speedy sophomore, is a fill-in QB, mostly in a shotgun formation, and receiver.
On the rise. In the first meeting with the Explorers, Zaccheaus, showing good balance, carried 22 times for 195 yards. He had a 79-yard TD burst last week against Archbishop Ryan.
Stingy. The Prep's defense, led by tackle Paul Johnson and linebacker Todd Jones, has allowed only two rushing scores.
Up front. La Salle needs a solid effort from its offensive line, which is anchored by first-team all-Catholic tackles Patrick Hoffman and Luke Persichetti.
Battle to watch. When lined up at receiver, the Explorers' Sean Coleman will be defended most times by cornerback John Reid.
Special teams. The efforts of Pittsburgh-bound Ryan Winslow, who does all of the kicking for La Salle, and the Prep's Kyle Battin (placekicker) and Dan Sherry (punter) could figure heavily in the outcome.
Questionable. La Salle cornerback Chris Rocco is questionable after suffering a shoulder injury last week against Roman Catholic.
Analysis. The difference is the way the Hawks' defense swarms to the ball. Kane and Herron, under heavy pressure, will struggle to make plays. That spells an end to the Explorers' four-year reign.
Pick. Prep, 31-17.
Contact Rick O'Brien at robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter. Read his blog, "The O'Zone," at www.philly.com/ozone
