Football: Warwick kicks Ridley’s postseason hopes into high gear

HAVERFORD — Nate Warwick didn’t expect Friday night to end with a huddle of players chanting his name. Even after his Ridley teammates dispersed, the senior kicker seemed a tad uncertain that it had actually happened.

But after testimonials from a bevy of mates, Warwick admitted, in a self-effacing manner perfectly tailored to a kicker’s mentality, that yes, his 25-yard field with 1:41 to play — and a playoff berth on the line, and the first bands of a nor’easter blowing in — was a pretty big deal.

Warwick’s kick was the final score in a sensational Central League tilt and possible District 1 Class 6A preview, as Ridley booked passage into that tournament with a 31-28 win over Haverford.

“It’s a great feeling,” Warwick said. “Nothing I’ve ever felt before.”

Warwick’s three-pointer was one installment in a troika of unlikely heroes for Ridley (6-4, 6-3), which has run the table after an 0-4 start to get back into the playoff picture. The Green Raiders needed a win and some favorable mathematics Friday to stand any chance of leaping from 20th in the 6A power rankings standings into the 16-team field. They left A.G. Cornog Field Friday believing that Warwick kick had secured the berth.

On one side was the 6-foot-4 kicker, who’s been steady on extra points the last three seasons, so much so that Ridley coach Dave Wood had no hesitation in calling his number inside of two minutes. Ridley’s ground game, which pounded out 356 yards, received the ball with 8:21 to play, after Chasen Wint’s second touchdown run brought Haverford even at 28-all. The Green Raiders chewed up six and a half minutes until stalling at the 8-yard line and facing a fourth-and-six.

After a timeout to milk more time, Wood brought on Warwick, with the storm winds at his back and the rain picking up, to line up the potential game-winner and playoff-maker.

Click HERE to read the full article.