Garnet Valley wins wild one over Springfield

Springfield (Delco) blew a 21-point lead Friday night and, more importantly, squandered a great chance to move closer to its first Central League football title since 1994.

Garnet Valley mounted a spirited comeback in the final 30 minutes, taking its first lead with 10 minutes, 27 seconds remaining, and rode out of Springfield with a gritty, 42-41 victory that could very well decide the eventual Central champion.

The Jaguars (7-1, 7-0) handed the Cougars (7-1, 6-1) their first loss of the season in dramatic fashion.

They cut the Cougars' lead to 14 just before halftime when leading rusher Justin Pyle ran for a 20-yard score. Garnet Valley then scored on its first two series in the third quarter. Quarterback Ryan Corkery took a draw 23 yards for a score less than three minutes before reserve tailback Jordyn Bennett tied it at 35 on a 10-yard run.

The Jags assumed the lead when Bennett broke a 56-yard run, in which he escaped a pile of Cougars tacklers just past midfield. That gave the visitors a 42-35 advantage, effectively deflating what was once a boisterous crowd.

On the previous drive, Springfield had marched to the opposing 9-yard line with a chance to get three points on a 26-yard field goal. Instead, Cougars coach Tom Kline decided to go for it, with QB Ryan Strain's pass falling incomplete. At the time, it would have provided for a 38-35 Springfield lead.

The play call proved costly.

Trailing by a score with less than five minutes on the clock, the Cougars gained three yards on three plays and faced a do-or-die, fourth-and-7 from their own 48. Strain proved clutch, connecting with Eric Pollack for a 52-yard TD pass.

But Cougars kicker Brad Lord, who had been perfect on five extra-point tries in the game, hooked the ball right. The Cougars remained down by one.

Pyle ran for 115 yards and a TD on 21 carries. He added a 63-yard touchdown reception on a beautiful one-handed catch on a bubble screen in the second quarter. He eclipsed 1,000 yards for the season with 72 in the first half.

Corkery was 5-for-13 passing for 108 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. He also rushed for 76 yards on 17 attempts and a score.

Bennett ran for a game-high 123 yards on 11 carries and two crucial scores in the second half.

Cameron Durham led the Cougars with 118 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. His first score came on the game's fourth play, a 63-yard, fake-punt run. Strain finished 6-for-16 for 166 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

Garnet Valley would clinch its first Central League title since winning back-to-back trophies in 2008-09 with wins in its final two games.

Springfield, with Marple Newtown's surprising loss to Haverford High on Friday, sits in second place.

The Cougars were without starting tailback Rob Murphy (763 rushing yards, 10 TDs) for the second straight week because of back cramps.

Garnet Valley   14 7 14 7 – 42

Springfield   14 21 0 6 – 41

S: Durham 63 run (Lord kick)

GV: Oleary 10 pass from Corkery (Dowd kick)

S: Coyne 4 run (Lord kick)

GV: Pyle 61 pass from Corkery (Dowd kick)

S: Allen 65 pass from Strain (Lord kick)

S: Pollock 22 pass from Strain (Lord kick)

S: Foster 5 run (Lord kick)

GV: Pyle 20 run (Dowd kick)

GV: Corkery 23 run (Dowd kick)

GV: Bennett 10 run (Dowd kick)

GV: Bennett 56 run (Dowd kick)

S: Pollock 52 pass from Strain (kick failed)