Valerio Scores Five Times as Springfield’s Britton Reaches 100th Career Victories
Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News
Willie McGonigle | September 22, 2025
DREXEL HILL: For the better part of the last two decades plus, there has been one constant on the Springfield Delco sidelines, and that has been Chris Britton. Before being named head coach in 2014, Britton spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach under four different head coaches (Mike Heath, Chris Bell, Dan Ellis, and Tom Kline). Under Britton’s guidance, the Cougars have won numerous Central League Championships and have reached the District 1 championship game three times. On Monday afternoon, the Springfield graduate reached the career milestone of his 100th career victory when his Cougars, behind a five-touchdown performance by Luke Valerio, defeated Upper Darby 48-19.
It came as no surprise that who’s known not to like the attention being on him tried to deflect the attention to his players and staff, saying, “It’s really nice, and it’s actually all of these guys, it has nothing to do with me, I happen to have a collection of really good Springfield kids. They make the job easy. I’ve got nine really good coaches that I wouldn’t trade anybody for. It’s easier to come to work when it’s like this … and it’s the kids. I’m just lucky to be the ringleader of this whole bunch.”
But the Cougars players, staff and his wife Michelle wasn’t about to let “Coach Britt” sweep this milestone under the rug having printed custom T-Shirts with his moto “one game at a time” printed on the back along with presenting him a brand-new pair of shoes in the Springfield colors Blue and Gold along with a commemorative picture frame to mark the occasion.
Present for Chris Britton on his 100 career Win all @SpringfieldFB @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/3cFPr8A4Uz
— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) September 22, 2025
In the first half, the Cougars and Royals went toe to toe before the Cougars ripped off 28 straight points in the second half to pull away from the Royals.
The Cougars couldn’t ask for a better start to the game after receiving the opening kickoff. The Cougars marched 68 yards on 11 plays with Valerio capping the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
Like Valerio gets the scoring started for @SpringfieldFB they lead 6-0 with 6:40 left in 1Q @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/71GgId8Hgb
— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) September 22, 2025
On the ensuing drive, the Cougars’ defense forced the Royals to punt, and that’s where disaster struck for the Royals as the snap went over the head of the punter and set the Cougars up at the Royal 15, where two plays later Valerio again found the endzone for the 15-yard score and the 12-0 Cougar lead.
Valerio again this time from 15 yards and @SpringfieldFB leads 12-0 1:11 1Q @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/Cpi3SRec0a
— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) September 22, 2025
On the ensuing kickoff, Shyyon Branch fielded the ball and went off to the races for an 85-yard touchdown, cutting the Cougars’ lead down to 12-7.
On their next possession, the Royals put together an impressive 12-play 80-yard drive that was capped by Tyler Freeman connecting with A’zeem Spicer for a 17-yard touchdown.
Valerio again this time from 15 yards and @SpringfieldFB leads 12-0 1:11 1Q @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/Cpi3SRec0a
— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) September 22, 2025
The Cougars regained the lead on their ensuing possession going 68 yards on eight plays with Valerio hauling in a John Hopkins pass for a 20-yard touchdown and putting the Cougars up 20-13 with 50 seconds left to play in the first half.
With Mike Francks, Alex McGinnis, Dominic Stewart, Jaxon Deconti, Zion Culbreath, and Shane Kilroy (Tight End) paving the way, the Cougars’ offense came out roaring in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points. Valerio got the scoring parade started with his 10-yard touchdown run and then added a 6-yard touchdown to put the Cougars up 34-13 after three quarters.
Make it a four score day for Valerio this from 10 yards out and @SpringfieldFB leads 26-13 over @UDRoyals_FB 6:33 left in 3Q @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/ggXamA6LRT
— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) September 22, 2025
In the fourth quarter, Tanner Coll got in the scoring act with his 51-yard touchdown run, followed by a 1-yard touchdown run by Mason Becker. Salahudin Rashid capped the scoring on the day by punching in a 5-yard touchdown for the Royals with under two minutes left to play.
On the day, Valerio finished with 114 yards on 18 carries, while Coll finished 13 carries for 141 yards, and the team had a total of 279 yards rushing and 351 yards total offense.
Valerio was more than thrilled to be part of the special milestone for Britton, saying, “It’s a great feeling. This was such a great team win, and he’s such a great guy, and he’s a team-first guy. He just does everything for us, and we’re really thankful to have him as our coach.”
The Cougars (5-0) will look to get Britton’s 101st win on Friday night when they host Harriton, while the Royals (1-4) will look to get back into the win column when they host Ridley on Saturday at 11 am at home.
Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews
