PIQUA, Ohio -- Unbeaten Perrysburg came out strong against reigning state champion La Salle.
The Yellow Jackets built a 21-14 halftime lead behind quarterback Trevor Hafner who threw for 155 yards, ran for 105 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown by the break, but La Salle came back to win, 42-28 in a Division II semifinal game on Friday.
A missed field goal by the Lancers to end the first half and an opening drive that stalled to begin the third stanza had La Salle searching for some life.
They got the infusion they were looking for when Jarell White intercepted Hafner and took it down the sideline for a 39-yard touchdowns return to tie the score.
Hafner’s fortunes weren’t finished turning. La Salle defensive back Tresean Smith picked off the signal-caller on the ensuing Perrysburg possession. The Lancers took advantage of the turnover, nabbing their first lead on a Nick Watson 1-yard sneak.
A three-and-out on the Yellow Jackets third offensive series of the second half led to an 8-yard touchdown by Watson, and La Salle had taken command of the game with 21 unanswered points.
Hafner got Perrysburg back to within seven on a 34-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
La Salle got two touchdown runs from Jeremy Larkin to close out the contest. Larkin became the GCL South’s all-time leading rusher on the first score. The senior finished the night with 161 yards on 16 carries with three trips to the end zone.
La Salle will head back to the title game having won nine straight playoff tilts. The Lancers will face Massillon Perry in the state title game next Friday night.
LA SALLE 0-14-21-14-49
vs. PERRYSBURG 14-7-0-7-28
P: Haynes 2 run (Smith kick)
P: Hafner 26 run (Smith kick)
L: Watson 1 run (Chrisman kick)
P: Meredith 10 pass from Hafner (Smith kick)
L: Larkin run (Chrisman kick)
L: White 39 interception return (Chrisman kick)
L: Watson 1 run (Chrisman kick)
L: Watson 8 run (Chrisman kick)
P: Hafner 34 run (Smith kick)
L: Larkin 4 run (Chrisman kick)
L: Larkin 21 run (Chrisman kick)
Records: La Salle (12-2); Perrysburg (13-1)
