Morin’s running keys vintage Garnet Valley blowout

CONCORD — Entering Friday night’s Class 6A District 1 playoff opener, Owen J. Roberts had an idea that Garnet Valley presented a unique challenge. True to form, the Jaguars were more than the Wildcats could handle.

Garnet Valley bludgeoned Owen J. Roberts with a relentless rushing attack and offset the Wildcats’ tricky offense with a terrific defensive performance. The Jaguars ultimately ended the night with a dominant 43-0 victory, which left coach Mike Ricci very happy with his squad.

“We have a really great strength program and we were able to exert that strength tonight,” Ricci said. “We were a little bigger than they were, but I thought they were a really good football team and they were really well-coached. (Owen J. Roberts) is a fun team to watch that can make big plays on offense and they played really great defense all year. We knew were going to have to execute and take advantage of our size and strength.”

The Jaguars’ size, strength and depth all proved valuable assets. OJR simply had no answer for running backs Jake Morin (129 yards) and Greg Reynolds (95 yards), as the tandem just wore down the Wildcats. Garnet Valley was also much stronger physically in the trenches and it showed.

“Our offensive line is amazing and they open up holes that are easy for me to run through,” Morin said. “It’s a testament to the hard work we do in the weight room all summer for us to be able to get this outcome.”

Jaguars offensive lineman Lance Schwartz agreed with his teammate.

“We like to pride ourselves in being strong and also being the most physical team out there,” said Schwartz.

Morin finished with four touchdown runs. At different points this season, various Jags’ runners have assumed the lead-back mantle, but there was no doubt that Morin was man against the Wildcats.

“Jake was really hitting the hole hard tonight,” Ricci said. “He always hits it hard, but he was hitting it even harder tonight. We’ve been trying to work different guys through there to keep guys fresh.”

With Reynolds also in great form, the pressure was off Garnet Valley quarterback Kevin McGarrey, who was filling in for injured-starter Ryan Gallagher.

McGarrey did not look like he was fazed by much of anything despite the playoff atmosphere. Cool and confident, the junior rushed for 47 yards and connected on all three of his pass attempts, including an 11-yard scoring strike to Nick Wiesendanger with 19 seconds remaining in the first half.

“We’re a plug-and-play kind of team,” Schwartz said. “We knew Kevin was good and we had his back the entire week. We weren’t worried about him at all.”

Reece Malek was ever-dangerous from just about everywhere. He had a 72-yard kickoff return and tallied 63 rushing yards. Heck, even as the holder on the point-after attempt, Malek made an impact as he bolted into the end zone for a two-point conversion.

Evan Fenster was also strong for the Jags and tacked on an eight-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

To say this was a signature Garnet Valley performance on both sides of the ball might even be an understatement.

“I was thrilled with our defense,” said Ricci, whose team improved to 10-1. “They’re a big play offense, they have a really good quarterback, good receivers and running backs, but we were really disciplined on defense. We had a good game plan and we went out and executed.”

The Wildcats offense had its moments with its pass-heavy approach. Able to flood areas of the secondary and create a little confusion, OJR quarterback Cooper Chamberlain used a dangerous receiving corps to try and keep the Jags guessing. Ultimately, though, the Garnet Valley defense was well-schooled in what to expect.

For Wildcats coach Rich Kolka, it was a disappointing end to a great season, particularly with just 38 guys in uniform for the clash.

“I don’t believe we have anything to be ashamed of,” said Kolka, whose team fell to 7-3. “We were definitely out-gunned, but if we didn’t have the penalty or the bad snap, I do think that we could have scored on one of those early drives. I’m not saying win – we probably don’t – but at least we could compete or have some sort of hope. If we stopped them before the end of the half it would have made a difference, too. I’m not saying it changes the game, but at least changes the momentum for us. I don’t think this was a 43-0 game, but when you make mistakes against a great team like Garnet Valley, they’re going to capitalize.”