Springfield’s 35-25 victory over Garnet Valley certainly wasn’t expected.
For starters, the Jaguars had been rolling, pummeling Upper Darby and Lower Merion (a pair of losing teams) by the combined score of 102-6.
They had two quality win this season, albeit both coming earlier in the season. In Week 1, the Jags edged Unionville, 21-20. They followed up the next week with a convincing, 28-16 triumph over Conestoga.
Not to mention, the Jags boasted one of the top defenses in the league, especially in the running department.
But, while Springfield was an underdog Friday night, coach Tom Kline probably had a pretty good idea how to beat Garnet. After all, the Cougars were one missed PAT away from tying last year’s contest, a one-point loss that I’m sure the Cougars senior class never forgot.
And while Garnet’s defensive unit had been stellar, the Cougars — and I’ve said this time and again — have more depth at running back than any team in Delco. You now know what’s coming when you play Springfield; they’re going to run at you. Problem is, good talent and better playcalling make Springfield’s attack very hard to contain.
Though I wasn’t at the game, I heard enough from people to draw this conclusion: Springfield out-coached Garnet Valley. That’s a credit to Kline, not an indictment on Jags coach Mike Ricci.
Moreover, the Jags had no answer for multi-purpose quarterback Cameron Durham, who is more of a Tim Tebow game-changer type with his legs than he is a true signal caller. Durham, one of the county’s most dynamic players this year, had four TDs. Kline and his staff– from what I can gather — saw something in Garnet’s and exposed it.
Also, the Jags didn’t help themselves by losing the ball a few times deep in Springfield territory. From what I heard, however, Springfield’s d-line performed wonderfully.
So, while Garnet Valley had a stranglehold on the No. 1 spot in Delaware County al season, the result shouldn’t come as a big surprise. You can call it an upset, but make no mistake, the Cougars are hotter than probably any team in the Central League right now, with the exception of Ridley. If only they can continue to tighten up their defense, they’ll be dangerous,
The Cougars had shown holes, even during the course of their winning streak. They were even bounced out of the Super 7 this week because of their uneven play.
Rest assured, they’ll be back in next week. They’ve earned it.
As for Garnet Valley, could they have looked past Springfield just a little bit? Nonsense, probably, but worth wondering what with Ridley looming on the horizon..
I think this makes for great Ridley/GV game.
Ridley has a chip on its shoulder over recent losses to GV (if I recall correctly).
GV has a chip on its shoulder from this recent loss to Springfield.
Should be a great game – maybe better than if they were both undefeated.
I don’t know about Garnet Valley being outcoached – rarely seen Coach Ricci be outcoached. This game may make a statement on how good Interboro is – Springfield’s only loss. Interboro is now 4-1 and from what I understand, completely dominated Garnet Valley in the last scrimmage of the preseason. After watching Interboro play Penn Charter, it was obvious that they are a good physical team. This is definitely a year when the Interboro-Ridey thanksgiving game will be missed! Ridley is clearly at the top of the Central league, followed by Haverford, with Springfield, Conestoga and Garnet Valley all in the mix.
Great win for Springfield! By your logic, this game makes an even bigger statement on how good EA is – Interboro’s only loss. Or maybe, on any given day one team is not as good, or as bad as they looked.
Some critical points were missed, it’s a known fact that Springfield has a scouting report of GVs hand signals and boards and it was apparent, when no huddle was ran wth GV, Springfield for the most part stopped it.
GV Later goes to huddle and starts easily churning yards out. Now is this just effective use of resources? Or cheating? Either way Springfield brown nosed this win and GV beat itself with too many miscues.
@Michael,
Springfield was calling out Garnet Valley’s plays during the entire 1st half. I did see that.
Once Garnet Valley went back to the huddle, they put up 25 points on the board in the 2nd half.
@ Michael
Everyone and their brother has a scouting report on GV’s signals. Kinda hard to cheat when the plays are being broadcasted to anyone that can see. Gotta give Springfield credit for shredding up the supposed best run defense in the county. Brown nose? Half as many kids dressed, more kids playing both ways and special teams, and on the road.
You take away 2 coverage breakdowns on 4th and long by S-field and this game wasn’t even close.
@ Drew Maybe they do, but it’s Springfield that stoops down to that level to beat GV in my eyes. Yes the players do deserve credit but you have to question the coaching staff.
GV switches to huddle in the first half, plus 2 or 3 overthrown deep and open passes, and defensive key breakdowns on the triple option, score is easily 40+-14 GV. It’s just logic.
@Michael,
if i recall correctly, Unionville last year when they played Garnet Valley were said to be stealing the signals from the no-huddle. GV was getting destroyed in the 1st half like 21-0 or 21-7. They ended up losing that game, then running the table in the central league.
Yes GV had a lot of miscues, but Springfield had four turnovers that GV could not take advantage of. Springfield’s D had two goal line stands. I dont know if Springfield stole the broadcasted signals, but I do know that GV is not above bending the rules. For example, huddling with the coaches while the referees discussed a call in the playoffs last year.
Btw, in 5 meetings played between GV and Ridley, GV is 4-1. Coach Ricci always has his players prepared for Ridley.
It looks like Ridley is going to win next week. I saw both teams play, and Ridley looks much stronger.
well mr loney get ready for 4-2 cause ridleys d is for real this year and gv is just squeaking by teams( or losing to them ) and by the way coach decker WILL have his players ready also so strap um up lets play ball !!!
It should be a good game. One thing i do know, a team like GV coming off a loss is way tougher than a GV team coming off a win.
yeah it will be a great game ridleys seniors havent beaten gv yet ..they wont graduate without a win over gv… trust me! plus gv they are just not that good a team ,they havent even dominated the mediocre teams this year and even lost to one of them- grant ed they are coming off a loss and i know the saying about wounded animals and all that but in the end ridleys just a better program, a way better d and will prevail . we have played a big game or too in our time just ask north penn, neshaminy etc etc
When you run a no-huddle using the “board”…you run the risk of the other teams learning the signs. Don’t think that is why they lost, they were out-played in every aspect of the game! I think Coach Ricci will be the first to admit that!
You are right Ed, there is a huge risk of doing the no huddle with the board. But, you’re going with the gut instinct that a team would never do that/stoop down to that level
Interboro has a good looking team. But they dominated garnet valleys JV
Anybody taking something from a scrimmage back in August is clueless. (Talking about the people mentioning GV-Interboro). The schemes are simple and basic. The offense barely opens up their playbook. The teams aren’t even prepping for the team they are scrimmaging, rather the team they play week 1. Anybody that follows High School football should know that.
Thanks for the info JAMES you stragightened me out
The point I was trying to get acrossed is that football is a game of one team making a move and the other reacting. A game of chess wouldn’t be the same if one side knew where the opponent was going to move his pieces every turn.
I DIDN’T SEE THE GAME BUT STUDYING A TEAM AS PART OF A GAME PLAN WOULD INCLUDE MEMORIZING OR AT LEAST RECOGNIZING THE OTHER TEAMS SIGNALS IF THE OTHER TEAM WAS SO DUMB AS TO NOT MAKE THEM TOO DIFFICULT TO READ. EXCELLENT GAME PREP BY SPINGFIELD. AND THAT’S COMING FROM A HUGE BUCS FAN. SEE YA IN THE POST SEASON.
i think gv should just stop crying ! you lost dude get over it ! face it your just not as good as you, the press, the times thought u were ! as far as signals go if your that vanilla and not savvy enough as a coach to hide or change your signals than u deserve to have them discovered .. just plain bad coaching on gv side – lastly, gv has the BEST run defense? really have you been to a ridley game ??!!
I truly believe this win just shows how down the Central League is this year besides Ridley. You Central league guys can rip me all you want, but it is really simple Delco public school teams are down this year. You guys rip on the O’Hara’s and Bonner’s and even EA being suspect this year but lets face it, they play a tougher non league schedule and there conference is much stronger than the Central League. Sure O’Hara’s loss against La Salle was ugly, but La Salle in my opinion is the best team in the area, on the eastern side of PA and quite possibly the best in the state at 4a. Wood is the best team in 3a and the teams they squeaked by (Ryan,Hav School) would DOMINATE the Central League. Ryan imo is just as good as EA(who is legit). So no I do not consider Springfield’s win an upset. They outplayed an overrated Garnet Valley team it’s that simple. Can’t wait to see the Super 7 this week. Cheers
La Salle/Prep/Wood/D. EAST are, in my view, the best in the area. Throw Lansdale in the mix, too.
EA being suspected of anything other than just putting in the work and learning the system is complete nonsense.
I did not say EA was suspect I was referring to the people who believe EA may be a fraud, they are not. By Lansdale you mean North Penn i hope.
No, I wasn’t refuting what YOU were saying. I’ve been getting angry tweets, emails, comments about EA recruiting kids this year, which is flat-out ignorant and nonsensical.
Yes, NP, too. The Mayfield kid is something else.
Of course, NP beat Wood, so… NP >>> Wood
Prep would run over EA, most complete team I’ve seen in a while even without big names other than Reid. Who is going to be a star.
No need to be negative. For AAA teams, MaxPreps.com has O’Hara 12, Interboro 17, AP 21, and Springfield 25 in the whole state of PA! Since the Inter-AC is not in the PIAA, EA and Hav School are not in their ranking. EasternPAFootball.com also ranks the Delco teams favorably in both AAAA and AAA. Having seen 4 out of the 5 Springfield games this year, I will tell you they are good. People expected us to beat UD by 3 TDs? Well UD is better than most people think. GV may have come down a notch, that remains to be seen. They sorely miss Justin Pyle, that’s for sure. It’s a shame there is not more inter-league play between private and public schools in the Inter-Ac, D1 and D12. Springfield vs O’Hara would be a natural rivalry, since they are in the same town. The Super 7 has been pretty fair at mixing it up a little.
I expected Springfield to win by three touchdowns. After all, Garnet Valley beat UD, 49-0, so when I saw Springfield struggle against an average team (UD), I pulled them out of the Super 7 despite winning three in a row (difficult decision nonetheless).
Sure enough, they beat GV the next week. Funny how this football thing works, huh?
Anyway, you mentioned JUstin Pyle, and I thought the same thing. I think a lot of people thought Bennett would be THAT guy, but he hasn’t necessarily showed he can be a No. 1 like Pyle.
Oh, and MaxPreps uses an automated, BCS-type ranking system. Not sure that I agree O’Hara is 13 spots better than Springfield!! Maybe one or two, tops.
The Springfield / Upper Darby game was weird. Springfield went up 28-7, then Gentile called a time out and rallied his troops big time. Nikoi started throwing these pinpoint lasers to some talented receivers and UD scored 28 unanswered points. In the end Rob Murphy was too much for UD to handle and Springfield prevailed in OT.
Yes of course and I’d like to see NP vs Wood play again with a healthy Guckin. Don’t know if you’ve had a chance to see him play, but he is a horse at running back and is a force at lb. Nesbitt is no longer getting touches and the Garlick kid at Qb is something special. They’re a completely different team at this point and Wood vs Prep is going to be a great game.
Guckin, I remember last year against Bonner or Carroll, really stood out defensively. I’ve seen video of a lot of those guys, but haven’t seen them live this year,
Coaches have to know how to use players the best way they can, sometimes you have to change up your game plan. As for knowing a teams plays, well most of the people in delco have seen GV offense and not hard to know the plays. Clearly in the 2nd half you could see once the coaches used the players effectively and change a few things around GV moved the ball well on offense but then the defense broke down. They were not in sink. @mattsmith you mention Bennet would be no. 1 but you can’t expect that when a coach only gives a kid the ball 4 to 5 times a game compared to a person who received the ball 15-20 per game they would have the same outcome? GV runs the FB not the Slot, I think most coaches are fully aware of what they (GV) offense does. Great win for Springfield and Friday will be one to watch.
Springfield stealing signals, mediocre football team!!! Nonsense, you are clueless as to how the game is played at the high school level. It is called execution of your assignments and how individuals match up. GV was able to run the ball in the 2nd half for a quarter of play because the starting middle linebacker was layng in pain along the sidelines due to dehydration and cramps. Once he returned to play, the running play ceased. GV is a very good football team with a very good coaching staff. Springfield is also a very good football team with a very good coaching staff. This can be said for the majority of the Central League. It all comes down to execution and desire and heart. Springfield is a small school district competing with larger school districts. Springfields Star is shinning bright at this time, enjoy Springfield, Friday night is coming.
Great Win to remember , and I’m proud of being part of the cougars in the end we finished 7-4 and 7-2 in league wins for the 3rd straight season.