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Garnet Valley's potent ground game overwhelms Haverford High

Garnet Valley rushed 70 times for 342 yards and four scores while beating Central League rival Haverford High, 28-13, on Thursday night.

Garnet Valley’s Danny Guy (right) runs past Haverford’s Pat Boyle in the first quarter of The Jaguars win over the pass-happy Fords.
Garnet Valley’s Danny Guy (right) runs past Haverford’s Pat Boyle in the first quarter of The Jaguars win over the pass-happy Fords.Read moreBRADLEY C. BOWERS

It was a major contrast in offensive styles.

Haverford High throws the ball on nearly every play, while Garnet Valley employs a run-happy attack.

On Thursday night, when the Fords and host Jaguars clashed in a Central League matchup between unbeaten squads, the ground approach trumped the aerial assault.

With its vaunted triple-option scheme, Garnet Valley netted 342 rushing yards on 70 attempts and easily turned back turnover-prone Haverford, 28-13, before a large crowd at Moe DeFrank Stadium.

Danny Guy sparked Mike Ricci's team by carrying 29 times for 211 and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder scored on runs of 3, 17, and 20 yards.

"Our offensive line was real physical, consistently moving guys off the ball," said Guy, a third-year starter with the speed to bounce outside for yardage.

Fellow senior running back Matt Lassik carried 30 times for 145 yards and a score. "We both run downhill hard," Guy said.

The No. 8-ranked Jaguars, who gained payback for last year's 34-28 overtime loss at Haverford, improved to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the league. They are tied atop the standings with Springfield-Delco (6-0, 5-0).

In a contest that could decide the league title, Garnet Valley hosts Springfield, which tied Marple Newtown and Ridley for the league crown last season, on Oct. 20.

"We can't get caught looking ahead," Guy said. "It's a cliché, but we have to take it one game at a time. We can't take any team for granted."

No. 13 Haverford (5-1, 4-1) grabbed a 7-0 lead on Jake Ruane's 17-yard toss to Jon Klee late in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, when the Fords coughed the ball up three times, Guy's first two touchdown runs sandwiched Lassik's 18-yard burst to pay dirt.

A dominant offensive line featured center Tom Mahoney, guards Jake Erley and Ryan Shomo, tackles Esso Adigwe and Kyle McCullough, and tight ends Jon Ricci and Shane Van Horn.

Through six games, Guy and Lassik have combined to rush 207 times for 1,333 yards and 14 touchdowns.

In forcing four turnovers and notching five sacks, the Jaguars defense was spearheaded by end Adam Oldrati, tackles Josh Ciarrocchi and Griffin Salus (interception), linebacker Zach Shankle, and cornerback Kevin Doherty (two INTs).

Ruane connected on 20 of 34 throws for 215 yards and two scores. Wideout Jordan Mosley, who is bound for Maryland, made 10 catches for 128 yards.

Haverford and Garnet Valley will host Lower Merion (1-5, 0-4) and Marple Newtown (4-2, 4-1) respectively, in Central League play next Friday night.

Haverford High 7 0 0 6-13

Garnet Valley 0 21 7 0-28

H: Jon Klee 9 pass from Jake Ruane (John Scheivert kick)

GV: Danny Guy 3 run (Jason Rose kick)

GV: Matt Lassik 18 run (Rose kick)

GV: Guy 17 run (Rose kick)

GV: Guy 20 run (Rose kick)

H: Carrington Hooks 5 pass from Ruane (kick failed)