Football Notebook: Hamson carrying on Ridley’s defensive tradition

When one coaching legend leaves a program, there are high expectations to fill the void as seamlessly as possible. When it’s Ridley football, though, there are eyes on your every move.

Jeff Hamson, the new defensive coordinator at the school, has large shoes to fill. He replaced Ralph Batty, who retired in March after 37 years. Batty was regarded as one of the greatest defensive minds in Pennsylvania. Hamson came on board highly recommended. He’s an old St. James guy and a longtime friend of Ridley head coach Dennis Decker, who never doubted Hamson’s coaching ability.

“I don’t think there was a question amongst myself and the rest of the coaches, I think it’s more of the community (asking about) who this guy is coming from Bishop Shanahan,’ Decker said.

Hamson has lived up to his reputation and is building a defensive power on Morton Avenue. Sure, the Green Raiders stumbled early on, but save for a second-half letdown Week 2 against Conestoga and a few big gainers that led to a loss at Garnet Valley the following Friday, the team has played exceptional defense for its new coordinator.

“I grew up with Jeff. He graduated a year before me, I think,’ Decker said. “I kind of followed what he did out there and once I knew Ralph was stepping down, we talked a little bit and right away he was interested in coming over. He lives in Ridley. The big concern was the kids adjusting to him just because those guys had done nothing but Ralph’s stuff the last couple years. So, it was an adjustment with Jeff coming in.’

Ridley’s defense, which has received standout seasons from linemen Mike Cropper and Ed Bleacher, as well as linebackers Ryan Dougherty and Todd Parker, has rounded into form under Hamson’s tutelage. The Green Raiders are limiting opponents to 11 points per game, including 5.6 points during their three-game win streak. Moreover, the Green Raiders have played lights out against the run, allowing just 75.5 yards in six games. Over the last three weeks, Ridley has held 1,000-yard rusher Adrian Sapnas of Marple Newtown to 48 yards and held teams to negative rush yardage on two occasions. A total of 91 rushes has yielded just 17 yards the last three weeks.

“Jeff’s an aggressive coach,’ Decker said. “He sends a lot of people on blitzes and plays a lot of man in the secondary. He switches it up and gives teams a lot of different looks.’

Clearly, the move to bring Hamson on board is paying off for Decker and his team.