SPRINGFIELD: Two weeks ago, in their lone loss of the season against Haverford the Springfield Delco Cougars thought they let one slip away. Last week the Cougars rebounded and easily defeated Radnor. On Friday night the Cougars faced a difficult test when they hosted fellow Central League power Garnet Valley and this time the Cougars made sure to take care of business knocking out the Jaguars 35-23 in a battle of top teams in District 1 5A.
“It motivates everyone no one wanted to feel that way again we had four turnovers that night and zero tonight it makes so much of a difference in winning the game.” Cougars QB Jackson Kennedy said on the loss to Haverford compared to Friday night.
The play of the offensive line, consisting of Dom Stewart, Ryan Benjamin, Zac Plank, and Mike Francis, played a huge part in the Cougars’ success Friday night. They paved the way for RB Brad Barber to pick up 183 yards on 18 carries.
“They are everything people were doubting us all year saying Springfield was down but those guys were in the weight room all off-season pushing weights as soon as the season ended last year. I can’t believe the weight these guys put up and it shows on the field.” Barber said of his offensive line.
The Jaguars landed the game’s first big play on the second play from scrimmage. QB Luke O’Donoghue kept the ball on an option and raced 70 yards down to the Cougars 12, but from there, the Cougars’ defense tightened up, holding the Jaguars to a 24-yard field goal by Michael Medici.
On the first play of their ensuing drives, Cougars got a big play from Barber who raced 57 yards down to the Jaguars 17. The Jaguars’ defense then tightened up forcing Barber to attempt a 30-yard field goal however it sailed wide of the upright keeping it at 3-0.
On the ensuing drive, the Jaguars marched 80 yards on nine plays and extended their lead to 10-0 when O’Donoghue connected with Luke Vaughn for a 23-yard touchdown.
The Cougars cut into the Jaguar lead on the third play of the second quarter reaching into their bag of trick plays and having Jamie Steveson hit Chris Dolan for a 30-yard touchdown that came on a fourth down. On the ensuing drive, the Cougar’s defense forced the Jaguars to a three-and-out.
On their next drive the Cougars drove 47 yards on six plays when Nate Romano powered his way in from a yard out giving the Cougars a 14-10 lead which they would take into the locker room at half.
On the opening drive of the second half, the Cougars put together a 69-yard nine-play drive that ended with Barber extending the lead to 21-10 with his five-yard touchdown run.
On their first possession of the second half the Jaguars cut in the Cougars lead when O’Donoghue connected with Caden Koehler for a 15-yard touchdown.
The Cougars responded right back on their ensuing drive going 45 yards on five plays ending with Barber finding the endzone again this time from 28 yards out.
The Cougars added to their lead in the fourth quarter with Kennedy connecting with Romano for a 16-yard touchdown.
The Jaguars did manage to cut the lead down to 35-17 with Koehler powering his way in from a yard out with 2:24 left to play but the Cougars recovered the onsides kick and managed to run out the clock.
The Cougars improved to 8-1 on the season and next Friday they face another tough test when they travel to Wallingford and battle the undefeated Strath Haven Panthers. Jaguars fall to 7-2 and will host Ridley next week.
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