CHESTER – Prior to Thursday’s night 35th annual Delaware County Hero Bowl the last memory that Ridley High School’s Shahaid Smith wasn’t a memorable one. That’s because in the first round of the District 1’s Playoffs Smith’s Green Raiders were upset at home by West Chester Henderson. Then came Thursday night and in a game that was filled with stars Smith stood out. All he did was amass 192 total yards in the West’s 37-21 victory at Widener University. “I feel like I accomplished something going out with win I’m very grateful for it.” Smith said adding “To go out with a W is a great feeling to go home with a smile on your face.”
Early on it appeared as if the West was just going to run away with the game scoring the games first 16 points. On their opening possession the West marched right down the field 45 yards behind the arm of Garnet Valleys Jake Helmes whose arm accounted for 40 of the 45 yards on the drive, including the 15 yard touchdown pass to Ridley’s Dion Shaw. On the next play from scrimmage East’s quarterback Carl Coleman(Academy Park) fumbled the snap and had it bounce to the end-zone before Penn Wood’s Kavonne Nottingham kicked the ball out for the safety giving the West the 9-0 lead. On the ensuing West possession Chester’s Martin Turner intercepted Helmes but the East couldn’t capitalize turning the ball over to West where Smith punched it from 3 yards out making it 16-0. But then the momentum changed, on the ensuing kickoff Chester’s Anthony Davis fielded the kickoff and juke his way 97 yards for the touchdown.
In the second quarter the East took over. On the first possession of the second quarter the West side fumbled the ball and Marcus Collins(Monsignor Bonner) picked it up and raced 62 yards on the touchdown. After a missed field goal by West the East took over and the lead when Quarterman connected with Davis for a 62 yard strike making it 21-16 East at halftime.
The third quarter saw only one score. West’s Matt Craig (Springfield) busted in from 30 yard out. Helmes connected with Shaw for the two point conversion to make it 24-21 West.
In the fourth quarter the West added on to their lead when Smith was the target on a cross route and was hit in stride by Helmes for the 59 yard touchdown. Smith finished with 172 yards receiving on five catches and Helmes finished 10-18 252 yards. Smith who was awarded the West Offensive MVP said that if he could he would share the award with Helmes because he couldn’t had done what he did without Helmes and the offensive line. Juhwan Young (Penncrest) added a 15 yard touchdown run for the West sealing the victory.
AWARD WINNERS
East Offensive MVP Anthony Davis Chester
West Offensive MVP: Shahaid Smith Ridley
East Defensive MVP: Marcus Collins Monsignor Bonner
West Defensive MVP Sam Dixon Dugan Ridley
