Gallagher, Garnet Valley ground out win over Harriton

CONCORD — Ryan Gallagher had work to do to prepare for his first start at quarterback this season for Garnet Valley.

“Cole Palis was really helpful to me this week,” Gallagher said of the Jags’ No. 1 QB, who took the week off to rest an injury and watched Gallagher lead undefeated GV to its fifth consecutive victory, 55-6 over Harriton at Moe DeFrank Stadium Friday night.

Garnet Valley (5-0, 4-0) rolled up 464 yards — all on the ground — and did not have to punt as they handed the Rams (1-4, 0-4) their fourth consecutive loss.

“I was pleased with the effort we got tonight,” Garnet Valley coach Mike Ricci said. “We had good execution from all of the groups we put out there.”

The execution began on the Jags’ first play from scrimmage. After taking the opening kickoff, Harriton picked up a pair of first downs before punting. On Garnet Valley’s initial snap, Gallagher handed the ball to Rory Glackin, who didn’t stop until he had reached the end zone 87 yards later and was handing the ball to field judge Tom Cerone.

“The whole week we talked about blocking,” Glackin said. “I just trusted our offensive line. (Offensive guard) Jack Markussen made sure the hole was there, and I just went through and kept on running.”

Before the first quarter came to an end, Gallagher (five carries, 41 yards) scored on a 16-yard run. On the second play of the second quarter, Colin Robinson returned a punt 45 yards for another GV score. Greg Reynolds (10 carries, 61 yards) added a short touchdown run, and Gallagher closed out the first-half scoring with an 11-yard carry.

“It was a really big confidence booster to have the first play go for a touchdown,” Gallagher said.

An 82-yard Garnet Valley drive used up more than six minutes to start the third quarter before Sam Morin (four carries, 65 yards) got in the end zone with a short run.

Harriton countered with a 63-yard march that concluded with Teddy Molineaux’s scoring run on the third play of the fourth quarter. Molineaux picked up 58 of the Rams’ 77 yards on the ground.

“They did an incredible job, especially without one of their best players,” Harriton coach Justin Mellor said of his squad, which played minus senior running back Jack Rosenfeld (ankle). “They just don’t quit, no matter how much they are up against.

“We got those first downs right away. And we had a drive like that when we played Springfield last week. They showed a lot of fight even though they were down.”

Garnet Valley’s fourth-quarter scores were on runs of 33 and 54 yards by junior Reece Malek (5-5, 140 pounds).

“We know we have a big week ahead of us getting ready for Springfield,” Gallagher said, knowing it will be his turn to help Palis get ready for the start before the Jaguars go on the road to face the defending Central League champion Cougars Friday night.