Garnet Valley’s boisterous, balanced attack rocks Ridley
CONCORD — Since time immemorial, or at least since Mike Ricci first fashioned Garnet Valley into perennial Central League contenders more than a decade ago, the scouting report against the Jaguars started with one thought: Pack the box, ready for the run.
That sentiment is still true. And GV quarterbacks have tested the 10-in-the-box wisdom with success before. But four games into 2020, the Jaguars might have the most balanced attack ever under Ricci.
Friday’s 44-0 demolition of Ridley had the usual Garnet Valley embellishments: Rushing touchdowns from three Jaguars, 301 yards on the ground, clock-suffocating control of possession.
For the fourth straight game, however, the Jags scored two touchdowns through the air. Just when you think you have a handle on some of the veers and traps and pitches, this year’s attack can take flight.
“Every year, we could throw the ball, but we kill people with the run so we stick with that,” quarterback Kevin McGarrey said. “This year, we just have so many athletes, we can’t pass up on the opportunity to throw the ball all around the field. … Everyone is capable of making big plays, and it’s worked out great for us.”
The Jaguars (4-0) took a 32-0 lead into halftime Friday with more yards through the air (158) than on the ground (146). That would re-balance after the break. But big-play capability in the passing game complements the omnipresent threat of the passel of backs breaking tackles at the second level and heading to the house. That’s how a team gets to outscore opponents by a 200-12 margin this season.
McGarrey has seven passing touchdowns. He started Friday with a 50-yard bomb to Ndozi Okolo on the third play from scrimmage, which got them to first-and-goal for Brian Bradley to dash in from the 3-yard line.
“It was a great way to start,” McGarrey said. “I knew (Okolo) was going to go up and get that. He’s a great playmaker and goes up and gets everything and works hard at practice. … Great route-runner; it’s great to start a game like that.”
A little Garnet razzle dazzle
Halfback pass from Shane Reynolds to Brian Bradley for a 35-yard TD. Jags 4-4 on conversions.
32-0 GV. 1:23 left 2Q pic.twitter.com/3co3CRMp05— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) November 14, 2020
McGarrey’s touchdown came on a 66-yard dart-and-score to Sean Gallagher, the shifty halfback hitting a quick slant, breaking a tackle and off to the races. Gallagher and McGarrey connected on three two-point conversions, triggering the running clock five minutes into the third quarter.
If pounding the rock is Plan A and McGarrey throwing is Plan B, then the mystery element of a halfback pass proved a back-breaker. Call it a Garnet special, with Shane Reynolds taking a pitch and finding backfield mate Bradley streaking down the sideline on a go-route, a 35-yard touchdown.
“That was really awesome,” Gallagher said. “I looked over and saw Reynolds throwing it, and it was just a perfect throw. I was so excited for them because they worked on that play all week in practice, and to be able to come out and run it perfectly is really cool.”
Sean Gallagher untouched for the TD from the 2.
12-play, 77-yard drive.
16-0 GV pic.twitter.com/Hp8XfVIr7g— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) November 14, 2020
Reynolds was the workhorse at 14 carries for 104 yards. Bradley toted 11 times for 93, with three scores, including a 26-yarder in the third. Cullen Mink added a 33-yard TD in the fourth. McGarrey finished 4-for-9 for 146 yards, albeit with two lost fumbles. Gallagher hauled in three passes for 96.
Ridley (2-2) struggled mightily on offense, after Tahir Mills burst up the middle for 54 yards on its first play. Mills had 111 yards on seven touches; the rest of the offense accounted for 33 yards on the other 34 snaps.
John Heller, two weeks removed from throwing three touchdowns against Upper Darby, went 0-for-10 with an interception by Sean Williams. Gavin Kingsborough’s night (13 carriers, 19 yards) typified the tough sledding against the Garnet front.
The Ridley defense didn’t surrender, with Jimmy Reynolds and Jack Wills forcing second-half fumbles, Reynolds recovering his and sophomore Antonio Saahir gathering the other. Punter Nick Falcucci booted seven times for a healthy average of 36 yards.
But all that hardly made a dent against Garnet Valley, which outgained the Green 482-144 and had 21 first downs to Ridley’s four. It’s a team that is explosive, versatile and very confident heading into next week’s showdown with Haverford.
“I think it gives our team a lot of confidence because we know that we believe in every single player on our offense,” Gallagher said. “Every single guy is doing their job on every single play and we’re just able to move the ball when we execute like we do in practice.”
