District 1 Class 6A Football: Lassik, Garnet Valley take to the air to get past Owen J. Roberts

CONCORD TWP. — Garnet Valley has carved its way into Southeastern Pennsylvania lore with a hard-nosed running attack.

When this season’s version of the Jaguars needs to air it out, though, they can open up a game in a hurry. Just ask Owen J. Roberts.

Garnet Valley used a tricky aerial attack to fluster the Wildcats and secure a 28-21 victory in the opening round of the District 1 Class 6A tournament Friday.

For Jaguars coach Erik VanWyk, the offensive line was a big key in helping power the No. 8 Jaguars’ passing game.

“Joe Anzalone, Lucas Possenti, Dylan Bledsoe…all those guys up front. They did a great job,” VanWyk said. “(Owen J. Roberts) brought a ton of pressure, but because they were able to keep those blocks and give us time, we were able to make some plays through the air.”

The win sends the Jaguars (9-2) into the second round to visit No. 1 seed C.B. West. The unbeaten Bucks defeated Garnet Valley in the opening week of the season, 17-13. Garnet Valley topped C.B. West, 35-7, in last year’s district final

Quarterback Tyler Lassik was perfect in the first half as he connected on all six of his passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

“We take pride in the run and teams get to know that,” Lassik said. “If they want to send that many guys to our run game, then we’re going to take advantage of them with our passing game.”

Lassik hit Luke O’Donoghue with a 50-yard scoring strike and later lifted a beautiful ball to Caden Olinger that the tight end hauled in over his shoulder to put the Jaguars up 21-7 in the second quarter.

It was just a few weeks ago that O’Donoghue was under center, filling in for Lassik when the quarterback was out injured. Whether it’s Olinger or O’Donoghue, Lassik has built up a connection with both.

“Being injured, I had to build those relationships back up,” Lassik said. “We’ve worked on it so many times that it’s become something where I just trust in (Olinger). (O’Donoghue) played amazing when I was out. When I throw him a touchdown pass and I go into the end zone and see him, I just smile and say, ‘Why am I throwing you touchdowns? What is going on?’ It’s really crazy.”

For the Wildcats, it was a tough first 24 minutes.

“We made too many mistakes, including a couple in the first half that really hurt us,” OJR coach Rich Kolka said. “If we don’t make those, it might have been a different game. I thought we were just as good as they were.”

Garnet Valley took advantage of one of those miscues when Chase Wilt hopped on a fumbled punt, which set the Jags up nicely at the Owen J. Roberts 20-yard line. Ronnie Leraris dashed into the end zone for an early 7-0 lead on the next play.

For Jags lineman Dylan Bledsoe, dealing with the aggressive Owen J. Roberts defense was a street fight, especially in the passing game.

“It was a battle in the trenches,” Bledsoe said. “They were tough, strong, and physical, but we just had to stand our ground and battle through the hard times.”

Owen J. Roberts’ dynamic freshman Mekhi Graham played after speculation that he would not be available, but it was clear that the phenom was not operating at full capacity. Regardless, the Wildcats had more than enough weapons to keep the Jaguars from getting comfortable.

Quarterback Derek Hinrichs was a multi-purpose threat as he finished with 199 yards passing, 51 yards rushing, two passing touchdowns and a score on the ground. Wideout Matt Gregory (nine catches, 163 yards) was also a menace, while Logan Brower (53 yards rushing) put in a solid shift at running back.

“I felt like I was in a zone,” Gregory said. “The slant was open all game. I couldn’t ask for better seniors, better teammates, or better coaches. We weren’t able to win tonight, but it was a great overall season for us.”

Kolka was proud of Gregory’s performance and of his team’s overall effort for the game and the season.

“Usually (Graham) is our big play guy, but (Gregory) took that role and he did a good job at it. They’re both young kids, so hopefully they can continue to do that for us,” Kolka remarked.

While the Wildcats made several big plays, the Jaguars were able to counter. Aidan Bendo was a monster on the defensive line and registered a sack, while Nolan Carroll had an interception, and Luke Vaughn had a key pass break-up late in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a bunch of guys who do what they’re supposed to do defensively, but they can also be playmakers, and we got to see that tonight,” said VanWyk. “You want to be playing your best football at the end of the year and I think we’re doing that right now. I’m sure we’ll have a big test next week, but we’re excited for the opportunity.