MECHANICSBURG — Central Catholic seemingly narrowed the gap with La Salle College since their Week Zero clash, but not quite enough to deny the Philadelphia Catholic League team a state title.
La Salle’s Owen Johnson caught three touchdown passes, and the Explorers dominated time of possession in a 34-20 victory over Central Catholic in the PIAA Class 6A final Saturday night at Cumberland Valley.
Missouri-bound quarterback Gavin Sinwar tossed two touchdowns to Johnson and Notre Dame-bound wideout Joey O’Brien threw the other on a trick play as La Salle (13-1) largely kept the ball away from Central Catholic.
The Vikings had a chance to mount a tying drive with about five minutes left, until five-star safety prospect O’Brien picked off a pass near midfield. The turnover set up a 2-yard touchdown run by La Salle’s Ahzir Nelson to lead 27-14 with 3:50 left.
Less than 30 seconds later, O’Brien intercepted another pass, this time all but guaranteeing a La Salle victory. With 1:17 left he picked off another and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown and a 34-14 lead.
The game was closer than when La Salle scored the first 16 points and won 23-6 at the Wolvarena on Aug. 22. But that was surely little solace for Central Catholic, which lost in the state finals for the second year in a row. Last season, Central Catholic lost 35-6 to La Salle College’s rival in the Philadelphia Catholic League, St. Joseph’s Prep.
The Vikings were seeking their first state title since 2015.
Chrys Black scored all three Central Catholic touchdowns.
This story will be updated.