Garnet Valley Defense,1-2 Punch of Bernard, Cantu Knocks Out Ridley

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Willie McGonigle | October 31, 2026

GLEN MILLS: Entering Friday night’s Central League game against rival Ridley, Garnet Valley’s Head Coach Eric Van Wyk knew his team was in for a physical game. In the first half, his team showed just how physical they could be, punching the Green Raiders in the mouth by jumping out to a 20-7 halftime lead on their way to beating their rivals 27-14.

“That was the challenge all week; we knew they were going to be physical. That’s Ridley football, but I thought we matched it, the first couple of drives set the tone, and it was a direct reflection of Monday-Thursday practice,” Van Wyk said of his team’s physicality.

After both teams traded punts on the opening possession, the Jaguars set the tone with a typical Jaguar drive marching 80 yards on 13 plays, all of which were either runs by Luke Bernard, Sebastian Cantu or Coltan Turner. It was Bernard who got the Jaguars on the board first, rumbling his way in from 7 yards out.

Garnet Valley rides the Bus Luke Bernard for the 7 td and the 7-0 lead over Ridley 1:50 left in 1Q 13 play 80 yard drive @PaFootballNews https://t.co/EcQWl4kpyj

— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) October 30, 2026

On the ensuing Green Raiders drive, Nick D’Antonio was able to come up with a fumble recovery for the Jaguars; however, the Jaguars were unable to capitalize, as on the ensuing drive Turner was intercepted by Logan Clark.

The Jaguars made it two consecutive drives with a turnover on the next Green Raiders drive when Sam Barclift got around the Green Raiders offensive line, strip-sacking Joey Carroll and giving the Jaguars possession on Green Raiders 20.

This strip sacks leads to Sebastian Cantu 5 yd and Garnet Valley leads Ridley 13-0 with 8:02 in 2Q @PaFootballNews https://t.co/qIj0U09dSG

— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) October 30, 2026

Barclift sack came as no surprise to his coach Van Wyk, who said, “Sam has been a leader for us this entire year and he has taken so much pride in doing the little things right; then, when you see a big play like that you almost expect that from him with how hard he works.”

Barclift was very excited about the strip-sacking, saying, “I was over the moon; I am so glad I was able to help my team win.”

The Jaguars took advantage of the short field, needing just 2 plays to add on to their lead, and it was the 1-2 punch of Bernard and Cantu who on the first play, rumbled 15 yards to the Green Raiders’ 5 followed by Cantu’s five-yard touchdown run.  Bernard ran for 120 yards on 21 carries while Cantu ran for 75 yards on 15 carries.

When asked about the 1-2 punch of Bernard and Cantu, Van Wyk responded, “Just two seniors who waited their time, put their time in, so awesome the physical nature they bring when running the ball, when you put the ball in their hands, good things happen.”

The Jaguars went to the air to tack on to their lead when Turner connected with Brody Orr for a 12-yard touchdown, putting the Jaguars 20-0 with 3 minutes to play in the second quarter.

Coltan Turner goes deep finds Brody Orr for a 21 yard touchdown and Garnet Valley has opened up a 20-0 lead over Ridley with 3 mins to go in 2Q @PaFootballNews @TurnerColt34 https://t.co/uS5Od38DC8

— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) October 30, 2026

The Green Raiders cut into the Jaguars’ lead just before halftime when Joey Carroll connected with Ian Green for a 12-yard touchdown, making it 20-7 in favor of the Jaguars heading into the locker room at half.

Touchdown Ridley. Joey Carroll finds Ian Green for a 12 yard touchdown and Ridley cuts Garnet Valleys lead down to 20-7 with 24 seconds left in 2Q. Garnet Valley had several penalties keeping the drive alive @PaFootballNews https://t.co/7r6UwdJDdS

— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) October 30, 2026

After a scoreless third quarter, the Jaguars added on to their lead in the fourth quarter when Roy Pomarcio rumbled his way in from 28 yards out, putting the Jaguars up 27-7.

The Green Raiders, however, weren’t going down without a fight, with Carroll finding Green for the second time in the game for a 5-yard touchdown 1:31 left in the game. The Green Raiders recovered the ensuing onside kick, but the Jaguars defense forced them to a turnover on downs.

Ridley touchdown Joey Carroll to Ian Green cuts Garnet Valley down to 27-14 with 1:31 left in this one @PaFootballNews https://t.co/GeW7MH68SD

— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) October 31, 2026

Both the Jaguars and Green Raiders will now turn their attention to the playoffs. The Jaguars compete in the District 1 5A Bracket while the Green Raiders will take part in the District 1 6A playoffs.

Scoring

First Quarter

GV: Bernard  7 yard Run Zweler Kick 1:50

Second Quarter

GV Cantu 5 yard Run Kick Blocked 8:02

GV Orr 12 pass from Turner Zweler Kick 3:00

Rid Green 12 yard pass from Carroll Calamita kick 0:24

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

GV Pomarcio 28 yard Run Zweler Kick 5:37

Rid: Green 5 yard pass from Carroll Calamita kick 1:31

Rushing

Ridley: Farley26-118, Clark 2-18, Bonnes 4-11, Carroll 5-minus 30

Garnet Valley: Pomarcio 2-31, Bernard 21-120, Cantu 15-75, Turner 4-27, Archer 1-3, Team 1-minus 1

Passing (Comp-Attempts-Yards-Int- : Ridley: Carroll 9-20-106-0

Garnet Valley: Turner 2-7,37-1

Receiving: Ridley: Bonnes 2-29, Bair 1-13, Smith 1-10, Green 5-54

Garnet Valley: Orr 1-21, Vaughn 1-16

Interceptions:  Ridley:,Clark  Garnet Valley: None