Jags Pass First Test of the Season, win 35 to 7 over Ridley

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

James Middleton | September 16, 2022

Concord, PA: In what was Delco Football’s Game of the Week, the Garnet Valley Jaguars played host to the Ridley Green Raiders. The Jag defense was on fire all night, holding Ridley scoreless in the first half. Garnet Valley shut the door on the Green Raiders when junior Logan Hamilton intercepted a ball late in the third quarter and ran it back 75 yards for a pick-six. “When it mattered in the goal line, we really stepped up, and I was really proud of them for that,” said Head Coach Eric VanWyk about the Jaguar defense. With the win over Ridley, 35 to 7, Garnet Valley moves to 4-0 on the season.  

The Jaguars opened up the scoring when Jason “The Bus” Bernard broke free for a 42-yard score in the first quarter. “The Bus” wasn’t done yet, set up by long runs by Jack Westburg and Matt Mesaros, along with a Ridley offside, Bernard took one in from 1 yard out to make the score 14 to 0. “It was a little bit of old school Garnet Valley Football it felt like,” said VanWyk. 

The Garnet Valley run game didn’t stop there. In the third quarter, senior Joseph Checchio got the Jaguar offense inside the ten after Matt Mesaros and Jack Westburg connected on a 26-yard pitch and catch. Set up by an option play where Luke Mingoni got the Jags down to the one, Checchio punched it in to make the score 21 to 7. The final score for Garnet Valley came when tight end Drew Van Horn made a one-handed snag for a 45-yard touchdown catch. 

Ridley’s only score of the game came on a 9-yard touchdown catch that was hauled in by wide receiver Kaheem Powell (Ridley). The Garnet Valley defense halted any offense that Ridley was able to get going. Jack Westburg started it off with a blocked field goal on Ridley’s first drive. Then it was Ronnie Leraris with a pass break up in the end zone on a pivotal third and goal. On the ensuing play, it was Joseph Checchio who was able to get to the quarterback for a sack and turnover on downs. 

In what could be considered Garnet Valley’s first real test of the season, they passed with flying colors. “I think we won this game in practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The kids really bought into a relentless approach, and it paid off,” stated VanWyk. Sitting in 2nd place in the 6A division, Garnet Valley will take on Springfield next week at 7 o’clock at The Moe. 

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