With trio of battles on horizon, Great Valley sets self up for title run

WEST CHESTER >> Great Valley will not wow you with explosive plays or impress you with elite size or speed, but the Patriots have found a recipe for success this fall.

A 28-6 road win against West Chester Henderson, Friday, secured the Patriots’ first winning season since 2017 and all but guarantees a spot in the District 1-5A playoffs.

More than anything, it sets Great Valley up with a chance to compete for a Ches-Mont American Division title as the Pats head into their final three weeks against the known powers of the division.

“It’s been really hard, but we’ve been taking it one game at a time,” Great Valley coach Jeff Martin said. “We knew what was in front of us and we put ourselves in a position to be undefeated in the Ches-Mont American and be in position to be able to play the three teams that have ruled the American the last several years. That’s all I can ask for, an opportunity, and I look forward to seeing our kids take advantage of it.”

On the heels of another strong effort by the defense and a season-high 136 rushing yards, Great Valley (4-0 division, 6-1 overall) plodded past an improved but not-quite-ready Henderson squad.

The Patriots will head to Unionville (2-2, 3-4), host West Chester Rustin (3-1, 4-2) and then travel to Kennett (4-0, 4-3) to end the regular season.

“I definitely think teams have overlooked us,” Great Valley senior Jack Coffey said. “We have a lot to prove, but this is a great group of seniors and we’re very competitive and it shows.”

Coffey scored all three offensive touchdowns for Great Valley on runs of one, one and nine yards. The Patriots’ three scoring drives started at midfield, the Henderson 26 and the Henderson nine. 

Coming into the game, Great Valley averaged just 91.2 rush yards per game and 3.1 yards per carry. A humbling 6-3 loss to Bishop Shanahan a week ago not only ruined the Pats’ perfect record, but refocused the game plan.

“Obviously that one hurt, last week,” Martin said. “It was a lesson learned that you have to be able to run the football. In this league, if you can’t run, you’re not going to win. Our defense all year is what we hang our hats on. Our front seven is very aggressive and makes plays.”

While the Pats benefited from short fields, Henderson started six of its 10 possessions on its own 20. Logan Goodwin and Evan Kearney had interceptions for the Warriors, but it was a turnover the other direction that really impacted the first half.

Pressured by Raheem Orr, Henderson quarterback Braeden O’Connell tried to throw the ball away, but Great Valley’s Nathan Ricciardi picked it off and raced 31 yards to pay dirt.

Henderson scored on a one-yard TD by Brady Collins the next series, but that was as close as the game would get.

“I think except for last week, every week one or two players step up and make big plays,” Martin said. “These guys are very competitive and when you compete, good things happen.”

Colin Kiselak had an interception for Great Valley, and led the team with 48 rush yards on four carries out of the Wildcat formation.

Kearney had the only two receptions for Henderson, getting behind the defense twice for a total of 69 yards. He also had a 51-yard kick return to set up the Warriors scoring drive. Kearney has two interceptions this year and is averaging 14.9 yards per touch, offensively. 

With Oxford (2-5), Unionville (3-4) and West Chester East (0-7) remaining on the schedule, the Warriors are hoping the baby-step improvements result in some success.

“If our kids stay bought in and don’t let external perception affect them, I think we’ll be OK,” Henderson coach Bob Brice said. 

Great Valley 28, West Chester Henderson 6

Great Valley    7 7 14 0-28

WC Henderson    0 6 0 0-6

Scoring

First Quarter

GV- Coffey 1 run (Turner kick)

Second Quarter

GV- Ricciardi 31 interception return (Turner kick)

WCH- Collins 1 run (kick blocked)

Third Quarter

GV- Coffey 1 run (Turner kick)

GV- Coffey 9 run (Turner kick)

Team Totals

GV         WCH

First downs      9                7

Yards rushing  29-136    39-33

Yards passing  75            69

Total yards      211          102

Passing      7-15-2     2-9-2

Fumbles-lost    1-0          1-0

Punts-avg.      2-52.5     4-31.8

Penalties-yds  5-60        5-27

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Great Valley — Kiselak 4-48; Coffey 11-45, 3 TDs; Melia 8-37; Johnson 5-7; team 1-(-1). Henderson — Collins 17-53; Garcia 6-14; Ball 6-11; O’Connell 8-(-13); team 2-(-33).

Passing: Great Valley — Melia 7-15, 75 yards, 2 INTs. Henderson — O’Connell 2-9, 69 yards, 2 INTs.

Receiving: Great Valley — Maslowski 2-55; Crouse 1-11; Newell 1-5; Deegan 1-3; Ricciardi 1-2; Johnson 1-(-1). Henderson — Kearney 2-69.

Interceptions: Great Valley — Ricciardi, Kiselak. Henderson — Goodwin, Kearney.