‘Never a doubt’ as healthy Shane Reynolds, GV dominate Haverford

CONCORD — Through most of a second consecutive year of regular-season perfection at Garnet Valley, Shane Reynolds maintained one streak of patience and another of faith.

Injured in the first game and missing for the next six, the rugged, Navy-bound runner was certain he would be healthy enough by the postseason to give the Jaguars one more push to what they’d hoped would be a string of championships.

He believed there would come a night like Friday, a postseason test from a familiar league opponent, and the football in his hands. So it was at Moe DeFrank Stadium when Reynolds rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-0 victory over Haverford in the opening round of the PIAA District 1 Class 6A tournament.

“I had no worries,” Reynolds was saying after the Jags improved to 11-0. “I knew we were going to get there. When I was out, Jason Bernard stepped in, and I have 100 percent faith in him. He’s such a good runner, so that once I came back, I could ease my way in.

“I never had a doubt in my mind.”

Reynolds participated in the final three regular-season games, the Jaguars breezing to their fourth consecutive Central League championship. By Friday, he was a handful, averaging eight yards a carry, much of that on extra effort. His five-yard burst ended a 12-play, 60-yard drive and, with Zachary Liberatore’s PAT, gave the Jags a 21-0 lead. On the next Garnet Valley possession, he took a pitchout from Max Busenkell and blasted 28 yards for a four-touchdown cushion.

His third-quarter, one-yard scoring charge was more evidence that his return to the lineup has given Garnet Valley a strong boost … emphasis on strong.

“Oh, yeah, he’s tremendous,” coach Mike Ricci said. “He’s 6-foot, 215 pounds, is a 4.4 40 and is the strongest kid in the school.”

Reynolds keyed the usually balanced Garnet Valley running attack, which Friday used 10 runners to accumulate 316 yards. Sean Gallagher started it humming with a 32-yard six-point run in the first quarter. Jack Westburg’s eight-yard sprint on the first play of the fourth added a flourish as the Jags turned toward a round-of-eight visit from Central Bucks West, a 19-17 victor over Pennridge Friday.

Yet while the Jags were effective enough offensively to not require a punt, their defense was effectively violent in limiting the Fords (5-6) to 23 rushing yards.

“We preach being physical, especially in the playoffs,” said Ryan Saunders, who returned an interception 42 yards for a first-quarter score. “So that’s one thing we focus on throughout the week. We all like to compete in practice during the week, so the competitiveness just pushes us to be more physical.”

While the Jags were posting their second shutout of the season, the Fords did have some passing success, with Tommy Wright throwing for 171 yards, 84 to Ben Fleming.

“I love our seniors,” said the junior quarterback, who had 136 passing yards in the first half. “Every time I have to escape the pocket, they know what to do and they know what I’m thinking. So that helps a lot. Also, my chemistry with the receivers is very good. They have the same ideas that I do.”

Though eliminated from the playoffs, the Fords will have a chance at a .500 season when they host Upper Darby on Thanksgiving.

As for Jaguars, who didn’t have a chance to justify its unbeaten season in the playoffs in the virus-shortened 2020 season, they growing in confidence.

“Right now, we’re looking at Central Bucks,” Saunders said. “Then we’ll see from there.”