Desmond, Ridley play it safety against Conestoga
RIDLEY TWP. — With his team clinging to a three-point lead with under six minutes to play, Ridley linebacker Nathan Desmond knew his unit had one more play in it. Conestoga was pinned inside the 10-yard line to begin its drive and a few negative plays could turn the tide for the Green Raiders.
After holding Pioneers running back Liam Kirk to a one-yard pickup, Ridley had brought pressure on second down and four guys surrounded quarterback Chris McGovern. Desmond had McGovern wrapped up. As Desmond drove the Conestoga passer into the ground, McGovern let it go and was called for intentional grounding. The Ridley defense was credited with its third sack and a safety, which ultimately sealed a 37-25 Central League triumph over the Pioneers.
The safety came after McGovern, who had 272 passing yards, torched the Green Raiders for three straight touchdown passes: two 78-yard hookups to Kirk and one to Michael Prestipino.
Ridley needed a play and Desmond was in the right place at the right time.
“In the second half, they came out firing and right there we knew they were going to have to throw the ball,” Desmond said. “They weren’t pounding the ball but they got some big chunks. They were killing us but that safety just turned it around.”
.@RHS_Raiders with a huge answer as Malachi Williams takes in this 4-yard TD, his second of the game. He has 85 rushing yards and Dylan Staley has 120 on the ground. XP is good and the Green Raiders lead, 28-18 with 6:34 left to play #Delcofootball pic.twitter.com/qVyBpMJnRr
— Rich Flanagan (@richflanagan33) September 14, 2019
Following the safety, Conestoga (0-4, 0-3 Central League) chose to take an onside attempt on a free kick but the ball took a high bounce and out of the shuffle came Gavin Kingsborough, who sprinted 55 yards down the sideline for the final touchdown of the game. Kingsborough had 28 rushing yards to that point and was being used sparingly behind Malachi Williams and Dylan Staley, who combined for 214 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Kingsborough, like Desmond, happened to be in the right place and put the game out of reach with 1:43 remaining.
“Coach (Dave Wood) had been telling us to play up close because their kicker likes to roll the ball,” Kingsborough said. “It was a nice kick that went over our heads. We were running for it then the next thing I know it popped into my hands and took off for the touchdown.”
Ridley (3-1, 2-1) appeared to take control of things in the first half. After giving up a touchdown to Kirk, who finished with 243 scrimmage yards and three scores, the Green Raiders were limited to two first downs on their first two drives but finally responded as they drove 80 yards in eight plays, which ended with a three-yard scamper by Staley (120 yards).
The mix of Staley and Williams kept the Pioneers off balance and it showed on the next drive as the Green Raiders drove 80 yards once again. This time, Williams took in a four-yard touchdown. Williams picked up 16 of his 94 rushing yards on Ridley’s final drive before the half and four plays later the passing game came alive as Jack Grace found Staley down the sideline for a 15-yard score to give the Green Raiders a 21-6 advantage at halftime.
Conestoga had just 61 yards of offense at the break but picked up 276 in the second. Kirk took passes from McGovern on two of the Pioneers’ first three drives of the half and coach Matt Diamond’s team had the ball down three with 2:48 left.
He was pleased with the Pioneers’ ability to climb back but understood they didn’t capitalize when they had the chance.
“We had our opportunities but we gave up a lot of opportunities,” Diamond said. “That was a hard-fought football game tonight.”
