By: Jeremy Park
Matt Collins (51) returning an interception in Friday’s District quarterfinal game/ Tbone
The Garnet Valley Jaguars continued their quest for a District title with a win over Central Bucks West on Friday night.
It was a rocky start for the Jags, as CB West threw a 76-yard passing TD on the second play of the game. Joey Halloran answered with a 10-yard TD catch from Max Busenkell on the next possession to even the score. Both teams were held scoreless until the very last seconds of the 1st quarter, with a 40-yard CBW TD run. The PAT was no good, and the Bucks wouldn’t score another point for the rest of the night.
From then on, it was all Garnet Valley. The Jags stormed back, taking their first lead of the game with a powerful run by Shane Reynolds, dragging 4 defenders into the endzone. Reynolds answered again just before halftime, breaking 3 tackles over 57 yards to extend Garnet Valley’s lead to 21-13. Number 6 scored twice more in the 3rd quarter and finished the game with 234 yards rushing and 4 scores.
Defensive lineman Matt Collins made his presence known, intercepting a pass in the third quarter and stopping multiple at-the-line runs. His return from a knee injury only makes a strong defensive core even stronger. The D-line was able to pressure Central Bucks’ QB, Ganz Cooper, all game long, forcing him to only complete 40% of his passes. The secondary also stepped up heavily, with 2 interceptions by Luke Lassik and Matt Collins, and an amazing cornerback play by Max Busenkell.
Ryan Saunders scored a TD in the fourth quarter to further the score to a final tally of 41-13.
Garnet Valley is now in the District 1 6A semi-finals and will take on Quakertown next Friday at The Moe. If they advance, they will play the winner of what should be a down to the wire game between Ridley and Coatesville. Go Jags!
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