by Huck Palmer
In a much anticipated match-up between Philadelphia Catholic League 4A heavyweights, the St. Joe’s Hawks used a potent rushing attack and suffocating defense to dispatch bitter rival LaSalle, 46-13, on a chilly night at Charlie Martin Stadium in Northeast Philadelphia.
The defending state 4A champion Hawks scored five touchdowns during an 11-minute, 39-second span between the first and second quarters to build a comfortable, 33-13, halftime lead. Meanwhile, the Hawks defense kept the usually high-scoring Explorers’ offense from ever reaching the end zone.
LaSalle entered the game averaging nearly 388 yards of offense per game, but tonight could only manage 141 yards. The Explorers’ star quarterback Kyle Shumur (Vanderbilt) never found his groove, as the Hawks’ defensive line pressured him throughout while registering six sacks. Shurmur’s 107 yards passing were by far a career and season low.
The Hawks trailed early on after the Explorers’ Jimmy Herron (Duke for baseball) neatly returned a punt 63 yards for the game’s first score. However, the Hawks’ shifty D’Andre Swift returned the ensuing kickoff 39 yards to the 45-yard line. From here, the Hawks would need just seven plays to cover the necessary 55 yards, as Olamide Zaccheaus (Virginia) found the end zone from four yards with 4:22 left in the opening quarter. Jon Runyan’s (Michigan) point-after gave the Hawks a lead they would never relinquish.
On LaSalle’s next possession, tight end Charlie Hemcher fumbled after being crunched by Hawks’ safety Bennie Walls. Linebacker Nick Vandevere recovered the fumble in the air and returned it 11 yards to the LaSalle 34-yard line. Six plays later, Swift roared in from the three to give the Hawks a 14-6 lead.
The Explorers would draw close on SJ Prep’s next offensive series when the savvy Herron calmly stepped in front of a Jack Clements’ pass and easily returned it 29 yards for a score. However, this would be the last time the Explorers would find the end zone. For the Hawks, they were just getting started.
Another quality kickoff return by Swift of 36 yards put the Hawks in business at the LaSalle 40-yard line. Then, immediately following this, Zaccheaus zipped down the right-side for a 40-yard touchdown. Early in the run he displayed more than his typical quickness when he absolutely trucked an Explorer would-be tackler.
The recipe for the next Hawks’ score was more of the same. The dynamic Swift electrified the crowd with an 89-yard punt return. Alas, it was brought back on an illegal block well behind the play. Still, the return netted 37 yards and brought the ball to the 48-yard line. Three plays later, Zaccheaus zipped through the middle for a 38-yard touchdown and his third rushing score of the half.
By this point momentum was really beginning to swing with the Hawks and their feel-good mindset got even stronger at the end of LaSalle’s next series when defensive back John Reid (Penn St.) blocked a punt. Defensive back Dillon DeIullis scooped it up and returned six yards to the LaSalle 16-yard line. Two plays after this Clements connected with Reid for a 13-yard score on a quick slant that made the score, 33-13.
LaSalle would end the half with a 13-play drive that reached SJ Prep’s 17-yard line, but third and fourth down passes were knocked down by Zaccheaus and Vandevere to silence the threat.
For good measure, the Hawks would add a score in each of the final two quarters. First, Swift dashed in from five yards to cap a 7-play, 37-yard drive after linebacker Joe DuMond recovered a Shurmur fumble. Then, James Bell slashed in from ten yards to close out the scoring.
The Hawks rushed for 314 yards on 46 carries in the game. Leading the way was Zaccheaus, who recorded the Hawks’ first 100-yard rushing performance of the season, with a 146-yard effort on just 12 totes. Bell complimented him with 97 yards on 15 lugs, while Swift added 56 yards on 9 carries. Swift also added 127 yards on four returns.
Defensively, the Hawks held LaSalle to just ten yards on 15 plays after the intermission. Sacks of Shurmur were had by; Jake Strain (Batted down four passes at line of scrimmage), Justin Montague (7 tackles), Shaun Harris (9 tackles), Alec Dirks, Runyan, and Armen Ware. Walls was terrific throughout and finished tied with a game-high nine tackles. Vandevere was active with seven stops for the Hawks.
For LaSalle, they received good early running from Jordan Meachum, who finished with 64 yards on 11 carries. Shurmur ended his tremendous two-year stint at LaSalle by going 14-for-26, for 107 yards. In 22 starts for the Explorers, Shurmur passed 379-for-619, for 4,990 yards and 53 touchdowns. Also, Herron ended his brilliant career with five catches for 44 yards. The all-time leader in receiving touchdowns in for a Philly league player had 156 catches for 2,333 yards and 33 TDs in his career. That receiving mark left him just 48 yards short of the city record for most receiving yards in a career.
Defensively, the Explorers received solid efforts from defensive lineman Matt McDermott (9 tackles; 7 solos), Meachum (8 stops), and linebacker Ryan Brady (6 stops).
The Hawks will now prepare for the winner of the Philadelphia Public League title game between Ben Franklin and Simon Gratz to be played tomorrow. This game is scheduled for next Saturday afternoon at Northeast H.S. as part of a 4A and 3A District-12 doubleheader.
Statistics:
SJ Prep 46, LaSalle 13
LS — 6 7 0 0 — 13
SJ — 14 19 7 6 — 46
Totals Yards: LaSalle 141, SJ Prep 364
Rush Yards: LaSalle 34, SJ Prep 313
Pass Yards: LaSalle 107, SJ Prep 51
Return Yards: LaSalle 198, SJ Prep 144
First Downs: LaSalle 10, SJ Prep 19
Penalties: LaSalle 3-28, SJ Prep 4-30
Punts: LaSalle 3-27.3, SJ Prep 2-34.0
3rd-Down/Conversions: LaSalle 2-11, SJ Prep 5-8
4th-Down/Conversions: LaSalle 1-4, SJ Prep 0-0
Fumbles-Lost: LaSalle 4-2, SJ Prep 1-0
LaSalle:
Rushing: Jordan Meachum 11-64, Kyle Shurmur 11- -35, Nick Rinella 2-5.
Passing: Shurmur 14-26-107.
Receiving: Jimmy Herron 5-44, Charlie Hemcher 4-37, Rinella 2-14, Meachum 2-9, Jared Walls 1-3.
Interceptions: Herron.
Fumble Recoveries: None.
Sacks: Aiden Kerrigan, Ryan Schutta.
Tackle Leaders: Matt McDermott 9, Meachum 8, Ryan Brady 6, Kerrigan 5.
SJ Prep:
Rushing: Olamide Zaccheaus 12-146, James Bell 15-97, D’Andre Swift 9-56, Jack Clements 5-8, John Reid 2-5, Benny Walls 1-3, Kevin Shaw 1- -1, Christian Waller 1- -1.
Passing: Clements 4-6-51.
Receiving: Reid 2-22, Swift 1-13, Zaccheaus 1-6.
Interceptions: None.
Fumble Recoveries: Nick Vandevere, Joe DuMond.
Sacks: Jake Strain, Justin Montague, Alec Dirks, Shaun Harris, Jon Runyan, Armen Ware.
Tackle Leaders: Walls 9, Harris 9, Montague 7, Vandevere 7.
