O’Hara defense slows Kelly, beats Sun Valley

ASTON – Cardinal O’Hara knew it would have a challenge in slowing down Sun Valley’s high-octane rushing attack Saturday night. The Lions, however, were up to the task.

With a sound strategy and great execution by the O’Hara defense, the Lions downed the Vanguards, 21-7. It was a hard-fought victory that was fueled by a ferocious second-half running game.

“We had a mindset coming out in the second half that we wanted to pound the ball,” said O’Hara coach B.J. Hogan, whose team improved to 2-0. “That’s the first time in four years that we ran downhill and were able to keep pounding the ball.”

Keed Kpoto powered the Lions offense with touchdown runs of 49 yards and 30 yards in the second half using his bruising and relentless running style.

“Sun Valley is a great team, but it was the line working hard and the coaches, who had us ready,” said Kpoto (18 carries, 204 yards). “The main priority is to go 1-0 every week. Every single practice, that’s what we focus on.”

O’Hara quarterback Luke Sprague used his brain, arm, and legs to help keep the Vanguards off-balance throughout the game. Sprague was incredibly efficient in completing nine of 14 passes for 57 yards, while also running for 19 yards and twice drawing Sun Valley offsides for key first downs in the game’s first 24 minutes.

“The hard count is such a big thing in the high school game and Luke is a smart kid,” Hogan said. “We give him a lot of freedom and he doesn’t get as much credit for his legs as he should, but he got us a couple of key first downs to keep drives alive.”

Sprague plowed his way into the end zone on a one-yard quarterback sneak for a 6-0 Lions lead with 4:32 remaining in the first half. On the previous play, Sprague drilled a 13-yard completion to Chris Kirby, who was hauled down before he could score to set up Sprague’s touchdown.

Defensively, John Caponi (sack), Brandon Schumm (interception), Cole Sprague (interception), Louis Perri and Joe Kelly were among the many standouts on the Lions defense. The entire unit collaborated to keep Sun Valley star running back Julz Kelly bottled up for a good part of the game. Kelly did eventually break through and power the Vanguards to a touchdown in the third quarter, but it was not enough.

Caponi nearly achieved a dream play when he perfectly read a screen, only to see the ball fall out of his grasp on what might have resulted in an interception return. It might have been Caponi’s only mis-step all game.

“I saw the guard go and I knew it was going to be a screen so I watched the quarterback, but of course I bobbled it and missed it,” said Caponi, who was a menace all night on the defensive line. “This Monday, I’m going to go in the receiving line to catch some balls.”

Caponi may have been able to make a joke about that one play, but his performance and that of his defensive teammates was no laughing matter for the Vanguards to deal with.

“Our job was to be able to shut Julz Kelly down and we did our job,” Caponi said. “We were ready for him thanks to the team and our coaches. This is a big win and I feel like if we stay strong and stay together we’ll be ready for Bishop McDevitt like we were this week.”

Hogan was quick to credit his coaching staff for ensuring the Lions were up to the task of defeating a game Vanguards squad.

“Sun Valley is a really good program and Kelly scared the (heck) out of me, but I thought our kids did a good job of fighting and getting off blocks,” Hogan said. “I’m a defensive guy, but I don’t even have anything to say on that side of the ball because I trust Mike (Connor) and Jim (Connor) so much.”

For Sun Valley, Kelly was still a factor, but was limited to 58 yards rushing and 27 receiving. Defensively for the Vanguards, Lance Stone had a sack and an interception, while Dominic Ellis and Ty McLaughlin each had a sack.

“I give O’Hara a ton of credit, they’re a tremendously coached team, they’re fundamentally sound, and they don’t beat themselves,” Vanguards coach Greg “Bubba” Bernhardt said. “We didn’t come close to playing the way we’re capable of. They got some momentum and we were dragging. They occupied the ball for the majority of the first half and we just really couldn’t get anything going offensively. Their quarterback is a really good, heady player and it just wasn’t our night.”