Delco Football Notebook: O’Hara not feeling blessed by Neumann-Goretti’s losses
Cardinal O’Hara will happily take the win, but the Lions would have preferred to play football this weekend.
That’s the situation that the Lions find themselves in after coach B.J. Hogan learned late Monday afternoon that Neumann-Goretti — his team’s scheduled opponent Saturday — has cancelled the remainder of its Catholic League games.
With the forfeit, the undefeated Lions have clinched a share of the Catholic League Blue Division championship. They can win the title outright if West Catholic loses to Bishop McDevitt and Conwell-Egan falls to Bonner & Prendergast. WC and C-E each have one loss within in the division.
Or, perhaps, the best scenario would see O’Hara defeating West Catholic at home next week to take the title outright.
As for Neumann-Goretti, school officials state that injuries have left the team unable to field a team in the next two weeks. However, the Saints still intend to play a Thanksgiving game against South Philadelphia High.
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Chichester kicker Megan Carroll is a soccer player who has fit in nicely on the football team. As one of very few female kickers in the county, Carroll has emerged as Chi’s extra-point specialist.
Carroll’s extra-point kick lifted the Eagles to a 21-20 victory over Chester last Saturday. She was voted specialist of the week by the Del Val League coaches at Monday’s meeting of the Delaware County Coaches Association.
“She’s having a great year. She’s a senior and she just got the school’s record for most soccer goals with 53,” Chi coach Ryan Smith said.
Carroll approached Smith about joining the team prior to the season and hasn’t looked back.
“She came to me and said, ‘I’d love to be a part of this thing.’” Smith said. “She’s an animal. Her dad was like, ‘Put her in there for kickoffs.’ We haven’t done that yet. She’s a phenomenal kid. Short of going in the locker room, she’s right there with all the guys.”
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Ranking the best kickers in Delco isn’t an easy task. There are several All-Delco candidates this year.
In the Central League, you have Kyran Baker, who was 8-for-8 in point-after attempts last Friday; Springfield’s Jack Coary has booted five field goals (most in Delco), including a 42-and 40-yarder; Marple Newtown’s Reilly Fillman has been just about perfect in PATs. The Tigers also feature Vince Ciavardelli on field goals and kickoffs; and Garnet Valley’s Jacob Buttermore, who was featured in last week’s notebook for his all-purpose talents, has excelled on PATs and field-goal attempts
In the Inter-Ac League, Chase McCollum of The Haverford School and Episcopal’s Connor Ringwalt have been excellent, as well. Ringwalt hit the game-winning, 29-yard field goal to beat Malvern last Friday night.
Episcopal coach Todd Fairlie knew he could count on Ringwalt to deliver in the clutch.
“There’s no one else I’d rather have kicking that field goal than Connor Ringwalt,” Fairlie said. “The kid has been the kicker for us for four years. He’s the man. I just knew he was going to come through.You just couldn’t have written a better script for him.”
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Due to their scheduled Thanksgiving morning showdown, Haverford High and Upper Darby will take a break from Central League action this weekend.
While the Fords (5-3) host Lansdale Catholic, the Royals (4-4) play vaunted Archbishop Wood at William Tennent High School.
Upper Darby is pushing along despite being ravaged by injuries all season, beginning with the loss of two starting defensive tackles, each of whom broke his foot. Their replacement eventually suffered a torn ACL.
Starting running back Quaran Davis is dealing with a quad injury. A starting wide receiver and offensive lineman also were bitten by the injury bug. It’s gotten to the point where Royals coaching staff is moving receivers to the offensive line, linemen to running back, and vice-versa.
Through it all, the Royals have a 4-4 record. That’s not bad, considering the circumstances.
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MOVING THE CHAINS >> Springfield (8-0) can clinch a share of the Central League title if it can defeat Garnet Valley (6-2) at home Friday night. The Cougars are chasing their second championship in three years. Ridley (7-1) and Marple Newtown (7-1) will hope for a GV upset as they try to take care of business on the road against Conestoga and Harriton, respectively. … Academy Park (8-0) travels to Interboro (7-1) with sole possession of first place in the Del Val League on the line. The game was voted Philadelphia Eagles Showdown of the Week. Eagles cheerleaders and team mascot Swoop will be on hand. … Archbishop Carroll coach Dan Connor is thrilled with the progress Dahmir Ruffin has made this season. A junior, Ruffin leads the county with five interceptions and has 17 catches for 284 yards. … Upper Darby’s Obadiah Asare had a big game in the Royals’ 53-0 rout of Lower Merion last Friday. Asare had three catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns and had an interception return for touchdown.
To contact Matt Smith, email msmith@delcotimes.com. Follow him on Twitter @DTMattSmith.
