Conestoga wins league opener

Conestoga's Tim Miller hopped into Martin Dorsey's white SUV a few hours before the kickoff of a 21-14 win over visiting Ridley on Friday night.

The two Conestoga offensive players drove together, as they do practically everywhere, for the 10-minute trip to the school's stadium. They told each other to be patient. Let Ridley stack the defensive line, Dorsey said, and the passing game will develop. No one will be able to call it a fluke, Miller said, when they beat Ridley for the second straight year.

It was the night's first connection for Conestoga's offensive stars. And it was their rapport that made the difference in the Central League opener. Miller, the quarterback, hit Dorsey, his No. 1 wide receiver, for three touchdown passes.

"We love football," Miller said. "There's nothing like a Friday night under the lights against Ridley. We've been talking about it all week."

Dorsey scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, and the Pioneers wasted little time in erasing a seven-point halftime deficit. The senior picked up a great block near the 20-yard line and sprinted the rest of the way for a 49-yard catch-and-run. Dorsey pumped his fist as he ran through the end zone before turning to find his quarterback.

Dorsey finished with 121 yards on six catches. Miller passed for 160 yards.

"We're just having fun," Dorsey said. "We're pretty close friends, and that makes what happened tonight even more special."

The Pioneers ran eight straight rushing plays in the second quarter, forcing Ridley to keep its defense focused on the center of the field. Conestoga's play-calling allowed Dorsey to find space on the sidelines.

Parke Schweiter led the Pioneers with 45 yards on 13 carries.

The Pioneers defense shut out Ridley in the second half, twice forcing the Green Raiders to turn the ball over on downs inside Conestoga's 35-yard line. On Ridley's final drive, Conestoga's Kieran Carter and Matt Prestipino combined for a key sack to keep the clock running.

Conestoga coach John Vogan told his team to be back on campus Saturday morning. It is the same schedule the team followed after its season-opening win. Dorsey will be outside Miller's house around 8 a.m. And he said he was looking forward to another conversation.

Ridley 7 7 0 0 - 14

Conestoga 7 0 14 0 - 21

R: Christian Dunn 54 pass from Jake Hoffman (Jamie Fisher kick)

C: Martin Dorsey 20 pass from Tim Miller (Jack Rueger kick)

R: Dunn 37 pass from Hoffman (Fisher kick)

C: Dorsey 11 pass from Miller (kick failed)

C: Dorsey 49 pass from Miller (Eddie Jean run)