Garnet Valley vs. Neshaminy-District One Semi-final Preview

            On Friday night the Garnet Valley Jaguars will host the Neshaminy Redskins in Glen Mills. It will be about an hour drive for the Redskins, but once they arrive the hard-hitting game of football will begin.

            Head coach of the Redskins, Mark Schmidt, has led his squad to an 11-1 record. The Redskins only lost of the season came against the Souderton Indians. The loss came on opening night, August 29. The Indians won by a final score of 14-13. An extra point was missed late in the game. Neshaminy is just two points shy of an undefeated record. After losing opening night, the Redskins have won some big games; however, there have been a few close calls. Neshaminy shutout Abington but the Redskins only scored seven points in that game. Council Rock South gave Neshaminy a run but, could not pull off the victory and lost 20-13. The closest final score came on Halloween night before entering the Playoffs against their rivalry, Pennsbury. Neshaminy beat Pennsbury by a final of 16-13.

            Neshaminy’s three captains are Jay Colbert, Dan Shirey, and Paul Carrezola. Senior Jay Colbert is the Redskins fullback. Colbert has done a lot of the blocking for the Redskins. Senior Dan Shirey is on the offensive and defensive line. The last captain, senior Paul Carrezola, is the Redskins tight end. Carrezola, who will be playing for Rutgers next year, has caught a few passes in each of the games this season but has mostly been a blocker.

            The Redskins quarterback junior 6’2 Brian Titus, usually plays a running game, but when he does pass it is usually to junior Rick Brebner or senior Tyler Orr. Also at wide receiver is their lengthy 6’7 Keelan Adams.

            Running the ball has come easy for the Redskins with multiple running backs. Neshaminy has a few running backs they rotate in and out of the offense. The Redskins key running back has been senior Quilan Arnold. Scoring over double digits in touchdowns, Arnold has been a huge threat to the Redskins’ opponents. Arnold has even run a few touchdowns back on kick returns. The Redskins other main running back is junior Bryan Dean. Their back up, who is very quick on his feet, is Ricky Williams.

            Out of all the aspects of the game of football for the Redskins, their kicker has been a huge weapon. Senior Seth Jeffries has notched six field goals in the last three games including a 39 yarder against Ridley right before halftime. Jeffries has also made most of the extra point attempts.

            Defensively the Redskins are only given up an average of eight points a game. The defense can swarm to the ball and tackle in a gang. The defense has only given up four scores in the second half all year. The Redskins biggest stat, which may be the most dangerous, is they are outscoring teams in the second half, 131 points to 26.

            For the Garnet Valley Jaguars their Head Coach Mike Ricci has seen his team stay undefeated throughout this season, 12-0. Last week the Jaguars beat Pennsbury by a score of 14-12. After Pennsbury scored a late touchdown, still down by two points, the Pennsbury Falcons could not get through the tough defense of the Jaguars to tie the game.

            The Garnet Valley Jaguars have the same attack as the Redskins. The Jaguars can run the ball and pass when needed. The Jaguars have run the ball with their senior fullback Jared Bonacquisti 149 times. Bonacquisti is just 12 yards shy of the 1000 rushing yards mark and has scored 14 touchdowns. Their other quick threat is Tim Keyser. Running for over 1000 yards this season, Keyser has scored 15 touchdowns and two receiving.

            The Jaguars quarterback, junior Mark McHugh, can not only throw the football but rush as well. McHugh has thrown the ball for nine touchdowns and is just 56 yards shy of the 1000 passing yards mark. The junior has even rushed the football into the end zone six times and has rushed for 411 yards.

            McHugh’s biggest target to throw to has been Paul Dunn. Last week Dunn caught his fourth touchdown reception of the year to open the game. Marcellus Irving has been another threat catching the ball. Irving is averaging 17 yards a reception.

            The Jaguars defense has also stepped up the last two weeks in the Playoffs. In the last two games the defense has only given up a total of 19 points. The Jaguars defense is only given up an average of 11 points a game. In the playoffs so far the defense has really helped out Garnet Valley to succeed to the next round.

            For the Garnet Valley Jaguars it will be important to score on the Redskins in the second half. For the Redskins their linebackers will have to try and tackle Jared Bonacquisti and Tim Keyser, or the Redskins defense will have to stop the pass if it begins to succeed. Will the Jaguars find running lanes to get through against the Redskins huge defensive line? Will the Redskins keep up with Garnet Valley’s speed? Which junior quarterback will prevail? Can the Jaguars out score Neshaminy in the second half?  This game will feature a physical running game. Whoever wins this game will play next week for the (AAAA) District One Championship.