A Healthy Lassik Guides Garnet Valley to Come From Behind Victory Over Marple-Newtown
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Willie McGonigle | October 21, 2023
NEWTOWN SQUARE: After missing four games and part of a fifth game with an ankle injury Tyler Lassik is finally getting back to full health and Friday night, he showed what he’s capable of leading his Garnet Valley Jaguars back from a 14-0 deficit to walk away with wild 26-21 victory on the road at Marple-Newtown’s Harry R. Harvey stadium.
Lassik did it all for the Jaguars, completing 11 of his 16 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown, rushing for 38 yards on 14 carries including his 9-yard touchdown with 24 seconds left in the game to give his team the lead then came up with the game-sealing interception on the defensive side of the ball.
“It’s his character, he works so hard during practice and has a result he makes the plays out on the field.” Jaguars head coach Eric Van Wyk said of Lassik, adding “He’s the leader of the team and we needed him tonight and he stepped up.”
On the game’s opening possession, the Jaguars marched right down the field reaching the Tigers 7 yard-line before turning the ball over on downs. From there the Tigers marched right down the field on 11 plays before Brian Box capped the drive with his 38-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter.
The Tigers extended their lead to 14-0 with David Bertoline connecting with Trey Saviour for an 11-yard touchdown.
The Jaguars cut into the Tigers’ lead with under a minute to play in the first half 12 play drive in which Lassik showed off his arm. Lassik connected with Dante DeVuono for a 10-yard touchdown but the extra point was no good and the Tigers took the 14-6 into the locker room at halftime.
Tyler Lassik connects with Dante DeVuono for a 10 yard td has @GarnetValleyFB cuts the @MNTigers lead to 14-6 with 12 seconds till half @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/YZR3VfpgAb
— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) October 20, 2023
After forcing the Tigers to a turnover on downs to start the second half the Jaguars took advantage of the short field going 43 yards on six plays before Lassik used his legs for a 14-yard touchdown cutting the Tigers’ lead down to 14-12.
On their next possession, the Jaguars took their first lead of the game with an 11-play 70-yard drive that was capped with a 2-yard touchdown plunge by Nolan Carroll. Kai Lopez added a two-point conversion run to put the Jags up 20-14.
The Jaguars’ lead was short-lived however on the ensuing drive the Tigers would march 72-yards on 14 play drive that was aided by a pair of Jaguar penalties including a pass interference in the endzone but it was Bertoline who powered his way in from a yard out on a fourth and goal to put the Tigers up 21-20 with 4:12 left to play in the game.
Bertoline gets in on 4 & G and @MNTigers now lead @GarnetValleyFB 21-20 4:12 left in this @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/BMUSPWM7iW
— Willie McGonigle (@WilliePAFN) October 21, 2023
But back came Lassik and the Jaguars marched 70-yards on 12 plays before Lassik with the help of Max D’Antonio found the endzone for the second time in the game this time from 9-yards out giving the Jaguars the 26-21 lead with 24 seconds left.
“It was set up beautifully, our guys blocked it perfectly,” Lassik said of his go-ahead touchdown.
When asked about his team’s comeback Lassik said” We have been in that position so many times before, with this group we just don’t seem to quit. We are just resilient and that’s what shows on the field when we come back from games like that.”
On the ensuing play from scrimmage, Lassik intercepted Bertoline putting an end to the Tigers’ hopes for a comeback.
With the win the Jaguars are now in a position where if they win next week against Upper Darby the Jaguars would claim a share of the Central League title. It would be the sixth consecutive season that the Jaguars have won either a share of or won outright the Central League.
While the Tigers who currently hold 6th seed in the District 1 5A playoffs will look to bounce back when they host Penncrest.
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