The top matchup between the Explorers and the Friars came down to the final play
Salesianum's Jett Healy drags down Malvern Prep's Jake Bauer after a gain in the second half of Malvern Prep's 27-3 win at Abessinio Stadium, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. / William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The La Salle College Explorers (2-0) defeated the Malvern Prep Friars (0-1) 42-35 on Friday at Ocean Stadium in New Jersey in the Battle of the Beach.
Explorers wide receiver Joey O'Brien caught three touchdown passes, and they returned two kickoff returns for touchdowns in the game.
Malvern running back Zeke Bates led the Friars with three rushing touchdowns. The Friars had the ball with just over one minute remaining and down one touchdown. They drove to Explorer territory, but La Salle tackled a Friar just before the goal line to win the game.
La Salle College tops Malvern Prep in Pennsylvania high school football rivalry thriller: Live score recap — August 29, 2025
Malvern Prep returns the opening kickoff and we're underway.
Malvern can't convert on third down, so the Friars punt, and La Salle will have the ball on its own 9-yard line — 9:41 1Q
La Salle's first drive stalls, and the Explorers punt. Malvern will have the ball on its own 38-yard line — 6:38 1Q
TOUCHDOWN MALVERN! Senior running back Zeke Bates breaks multiple tackles on a touchdown run. PAT is good — Malvern 7, La Salle 0 — 1:52 1Q
TOUCHDOWN LA SALLE! The Friars answer with a kickoff return for a touchdown from James Mahoney. PAT is good — Malvern 7, La Salle 7 — 1:39
Malvern senior punter Ian Gopez grabs the bad snap off the ground and still gets the punt away, and La Salle will have the ball on Malvern's 36-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN LA SALLE! On the first play of the drive, Joey O'Brien catches a 36-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Sidwar. PAT is good — La Salle 14, Malvern 7 — 0:26 1Q
TOUCHDOWN MALVERN! In two plays, Malvern scores after a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Melconian to Daniel Riely. PAT is good — La Salle 14, Malvern 14 — 11:28 2Q
TOUCHDOWN LA SALLE! O'Brien catches his second touchdown pass, this one for 12 yards. John-Patrick Oates with two catches on the touchdown drive. PAT is good — La Salle 21, Malvern 14 — 8:38 2Q
TOUCHDOWN MALVERN! Melconian throws his second touchdown of the day. PAT is good — La Salle 21, Malvern 21 — 6:39 2Q
La Salle punts, and Malvern will have the ball on its 30-yard line — 3:17 2Q
Malvern can't get deep enough into La Salle territory to attempt a field goal before halftime.
HALFTIME: Malvern 21, La Salle 21
La Salle's O'Brien with two touchdown catches, and Bates continues to lead Malvern on the ground.
The second half will begin at 7:30 ET.
La Salle receives the opening kickoff and the second half is underway.
TOUCHDOWN LA SALLE! O'Brien with his third touchdown catch of the day, this one across the middle for 12 yards. Six play, 64-yard drive. PAT is good — La Salle 28, Malvern 21 — 9:45 3Q
TOUCHDOWN MALVERN! Bates finishes the drive with a short-yardage touchdown run. Cade Cooper caught a deep pass along the sideline to setup the touchdown. Ten play, 80-yard drive. PAT is good — La Salle 28, Malvern 28 — 4:01 3Q
TOUCHDOWN LA SALLE! For the second time tonight, La Salle scores on a kickoff return. Owen Johnson returns it for a touchdown, although on the live stream replay, it looked like Johnson dropped the ball before the goal line, but there is no replay review here and it was called a touchdown on the field. PAT is good — La Salle 35, Malvern 28 — 3:39 3Q
INTERCEPTION FOR MALVERN! The Friars intercept La Salle and take over on La Salle's 40-yard line — 1:00 3Q
Turnover on downs for Malvern. The Friars drove to the red zone and went for it on fourth down, but La Salle's defense holds — La Salle leads 35-28 — 10:30 4Q
Malvern forces La Salle to punt after sophomore George Parkinson IV sacked Sidwar. The punt is shanked, and Malvern will have the ball at La Salle's 30-yard line — La Salle 35, Malvern 28 — 8:24 4Q
TOUCHDOWN MALVERN! Bates scores on a 1-yard touchdown run. PAT is good — La Salle 35, Malvern 35 — 6:36 4Q
Under four minutes remain, and La Salle converts on a 3rd-and-12 to advance to Malvern's 38-yard line.
Malvern is called for pass interference on O'Brien in the end zone. La Salle will have the ball on the 3-yard line — 1:55 4Q
TOUCHDOWN LA SALLE! The Explorers score on a short-yardage run. PAT is good — La Salle 42, Malvern 35 — 1:50 4Q
Inside one minute, and Malvern converts on 4th-and-1 on their 26-yard line.
Malvern gets called for a personal foul after the play, which will move them back to its 16-yard line with 33 seconds remaining.
Malvern is on La Salle's 38-yard line with 12 seconds remaining.
After Malvern completes a pass to Trey Gibson, he ran and was tackled close to the goal line with no time remaining.
FINAL: La Salle 42, Malvern 35
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