Springfield Delco trips Ridley in overtime
Springfield Delco's overtime win at Ridley Friday night was the kind of game that makes young men heroes and gives older men palpitations.
Springfield Delco's overtime win at Ridley Friday night was the kind of game that makes young men heroes and gives older men palpitations.
"My heart can't take this," quipped Cougars assistant Willie McGonigle during Springfield's fourth-quarter rally.
After mustering just seven points and 74 total yards in the first half, the Cougars tallied once in the fourth quarter and again in extra time to secure a 20-14 victory.
It was Springfield's first victory against Ridley since 1994.
Fittingly, the Central League contest ended in the hands of senior Joe Kennedy.
"We knew we had to come in with intensity because Ridley had a lockdown defense," Kennedy said. "It just came down to who wanted it more."
After Ja'Den McKenzie gave the Cougars (6-0) a 20-14 edge with a 4-yard score in overtime, Kennedy sealed the deal with an interception in the back of the end zone.
"I just saw a big fat W on that ball," Kennedy said. "I just went up with everything I had because I knew if I let it slip away I'd waste my true potential."
Kennedy and McKenzie, who tied the game in regulation, didn't waste much of anything, although Ridley did take a 14-7 lead into halftime.
McKenzie, however, made several important plays in the second half.
The junior, bobbled, caught, and fell into the end zone for a 4-yard score that tied the game with 7 minutes, 58 seconds left in the regulation.
"Everything just went in slow motion, and my life just passed before my eyes," said McKenzie, who finished with 72 yards and a score on the ground.
Kennedy also finished with 86 receiving yards and a score on seven catches.
Johnny Fanelli threw for 154 yards and two scores for the Cougars.
Ridley (5-1) was led by Malik Young's 80 rushing yards and a score on nine carries.
Of the Cougars' 230 yards of total offense, Kennedy and McKenzie accounted for 154.
"This is the best day of my life," screamed Kennedy.
Springfield (D) 0 7 0 7 6 - 20
Ridley 7 7 0 0 0 - 14
R: Malik Young 42 run (Kyran Baker kick)
S: Joe Kennedy 19 pass from Johnny Fanelli (Jack Coary kick)
R: Shane Dougherty 28 pass from Cade Stratton (Baker kick)
S: Ja'Den McKenzie 4 pass from Fanelli (Coary kick)
S: McKenzie 2 run (kick failed)
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