RADNOR — The answer to the question was, naturally, of course.
And who could blame any La Salle Explorer player or coach for feeling that way?
For years, the Explorers have watched archrival St. Joe's Prep win PIAA Class 6A state title after state title and doing so after beating La Salle in the Philadelphia Catholic League title game along the way.
"It was something I always thought about," said La Salle senior wide receiver Joey O'Brien, a Notre Dame commit.
"They've won so much, and this is our last chance as seniors, so to win this really feels good."
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On Saturday, in front of a big crowd at Villanova University, La Salle was asked the question: Could it rise to the occasion?
The Explorers did and in a big way.
The Explorers, behind a pair of touchdown passes and a rushing score from senior quarterback Gavin Sidwar, never trailed in a convincing 24-14 win over the Hawks.
Sidwar threw two touchdown passes and ran for another.
The win advances 9-1 La Salle to the PIAA District 12 Class 6A title game in two weeks while the loss ended the season for the 5-5 Hawks.
"Whatever it took, we were going to get it done," said Sidwar, a Warrington resident and Missouri commit.
"As soon as we lost to them last year (in this same spot), our goal was to not let it happen again. We should have beaten them last year and didn't and that really motivated us."
The Explorers, who have won three of the last four meetings against the Hawks including a 31-20 win on Oct. 4, scored on their first possession when Sidwar found impressive sophomore wideout Owen Johnson from 18 yards out midway through the opening quarter.
Prep would tie things up near the end of the quarter before Sidwar and Johnson hooked up again from seven yards away right before the half, giving La Salle a 14-7 lead at the break.
"People don't realize how good Owen is and how much better he's going to get," O'Brien said.
"He's one of the best receivers in the country and he's going to be getting a lot of big-time (college) offers."
The Hawks, who had won three straight PIAA Class 6A titles and appeared in nine PIAA championship games since 2016 (winning seven of them), cut their deficit to 17-14 late in the third quarter when Jett Harrison (son of Hall of Famer Marvin and brother of current Arizona Cardinal Marvin Jr., who also played at Prep), caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Charlie Foulke.
But the Explorers answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with Sidwar's touchdown run of seven yards to account for the final margin.
"Gavin was making plays the whole game and everybody contributed," La Salle second-year head coach Brett Gordon said.
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"Our offense, defense and special teams all came up big for us."
What's next for La Salle football?
The Explorers will face the Philadelphia Public League Class 6A champion in the District 12 title game in two weeks.
What's next for Saint Joe's Prep football?
The loss ended the season for the Hawks.
Key play
Sidwar's touchdown run late in the game put things out of reach as he showed his mobility to go along with a rocket arm.
Game balls
Owen Johnson, La Salle: The sophomore finished with 10 catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Gavin Sidwar, La Salle: The senior quarterback completed 23 of 31 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns plus the rushing score.
Joey O'Brien, La Salle: The wide receiver/defensive back blanketed Jett Harrison all day, limiting him to three receptions for 39 yards with all three catches coming in the second half.
They said it:
"This (win) is already sinking in right now," O'Brien said. "We were ready to go today, and I couldn't be happier for everyone."
Drew Markol covers local sports for. Support our journalism with a subscription.