Football Friday: Garnet Valley-Ridley is Delco’s game of the week
Here’s a look at five of the top games from around the county in Week 3:
Friday
Garnet Valley (1-1) at Ridley (2-0), 7 p.m.
The game of the week in Delco, the Jaguars and Green Raiders battle for early bragging rights in the Central League
. In last week’s 25-20 victory over Springfield, Ridley showed that it could be the team to beat as it seeks its first league title since the 2012 campaign.
Linebacker Sean Dougherty took a fumble recovery for the go-ahead touchdown and quarterback Cade Stratton was 7-of-10 passing with a rushing score to lift Ridley to its first 2-0 in three years.
Garnet Valley got its first victory thanks in part to running back Derrick West’s four touchdowns and a defense that limited Bonner-Prendergast to just 22 yards rushing. The Jaguars have won five of the last six meetings with the Green Raiders,including a 21-7 decision last year.
Springfield (1-1) at Radnor (2-0), 7 p.m.
The Cougars unraveled in the second half of last week’s 25-20 loss to Ridley. They held a 7-3 edge at halftime, thanks to a late touchdown from quarterback Brandon DiChacchio to tight end Dan Archibong. But they were marred by penalties, and Ridley’s defense stymied the Cougars offense in the second half. Still, DiChachio has proven to be effective in his first two starts, throwing for 272 yards and three TDs, and the defense has played better than the final results show.
The Raiders are 2-0 for the second straight season and are searching for their first win against the Cougars in eight years. Radnor’s ground attack averaged better than 6.5 yards per carry in a Week 2 triumph over Sun Valley. Running back Jack Horvath torched the Vanguards to the tune of 164 yards and three TDs on only 14 carries. Horvath also caught a 75-yard scoring pass from Pat McDermott.
West Catholic (1-1) at Haverford School (2-0), 4:30 p.m.
If there’s anybody that knows anything about what it takes to defeat Haverford School, it’s the visiting Burrs, who handed the Fords their last loss on Aug. 30, 2014. The Fords have won 11 straight games and an Inter-Ac League championship along the way.
Of course, it wouldn’t be wise to put too much stock in an outcome that is a more than a year old. Coach Brian Fluck’s team has dropped 40-24 decision to District One Class AAAA power North Penn after an impressive Week 1 success over Roman Catholic. Quarterback Joshua Evans has passed for 383 yards and five TDs in the early going.
The Fords feature the top-ranked offense in Delco (490 ypg) and All-Delcos Kevin Carter and Dox Aitken, who have connected on four touchdowns. Carter has completed 64 percent of his pass attempts for 596 yards, while has racked up 271 yards on 12 catches.
Bonner-Prendergast (0-2) at Academy Park, 7 p.m.
The Friars are readying to play their third consecutive Super 7 opponent. Following a Week 1 loss to Upper Darby (No. 7), the Friars had a difficult time solving Garnet Valley (No. 6) in a 42-20 defeat. This week the Friars travel to Sharon Hill to play the high-powered Knights (No. 3), who have totaled 87 points in two games. Wide receiver Keith Washington had four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown last week.
The Knights will continue to look for big plays from wide receiver Jawan Collins, athlete Jamar Dembry and running back Jermaine Wesley, who have combined for nine rushing touchdowns.
Cardinal O’Hara (0-2) at Episcopal Academy (2-0), 7 p.m.
The Churchmen having looked awfully impressive in the first two weeks. The No. 4 team in the Super 7, EA is coming off a 24-10 decision over Conestoga. All-Delco running back Dee Barlee rushed for 75 yards and a score and quarterback Jon’avin Freeman passed for 122 yards and a TD.
First-year O’Hara coach B.J. Hogan remains in search of his first victory after falling to Delaware power Salesianum, 42-7. Quarterback Tommy O’Hara connected with wide receiver Jack Gibson for a 21-yard touchdown to cut the Sallies’ advantage to 14-7 in the waning moments of the opening half. After intermission, Salesianum scored 28 unanswered points en route to an easy win. The Lions have scored just seven points in each of their first two contests.
