Mesaros, defense set the tone as Garnet Valley routs Lower Merion

LOWER MERION — As Mitchell Mesaros jogged off the field in the second quarter after another successful series by the Garnet Valley defense, the senior lineman looked up and saw Jaguars coach Mike Ricci standing alone near midfield with a stern look on his face.

Mesaros did not have to be told to report to Ricci. The message was clear, without a word being spoken.

A few plays earlier, Mesaros jumped offside on a fourth-and-3 to give host Lower Merion just its second first down of the half. Even though the Aces failed to take advantage of the opportunity, Mesaros knew there would be ramifications for his momentary lapse in judgement.

“We can’t afford to make mistakes like that,” Mesaros said.

It was one of the few miscues Mesaros and linemates Alex Westburg and Evan Hrivnak made in a 58-12 Central League romp over Lower Merion Saturday. The trio spent so much time in the Lower Merion backfield that you would have thought they were playing for the home team.

With Mesaros, Westburg and Hrivnak leading the way, the Jaguars (2-1, 2-0 Central League) posted 11 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks, forced two turnovers, scored once and held the Aces to minus-63 yards rushing and minus-16 yards of total offense.

“We rely on each other and feed off of each other,” Westburg said. “We’re in it together, and when one of us makes a play we’re all there for him. And it makes us want to go out and make a play on the next play.”

“Our job is to shoot the gaps and get in the backfield, and that’s what we did,” Mesaros said.

That explains why he was so eager on that fourth-down play in the second quarter.

“Yeah, I was ready to shoot out of a cannon,” Mesaros said. “I just have to remember to do my job, stay disciplined and move on to the next play.”

The defense shouldered the load until the offense finally found its rhythm, which took the entire first quarter. Once the Jags got the offense in gear, though, the Aces (0-3, 0-2) did not stand a chance. Garnet Valley put up 28 points in the second quarter, one on a scoop and score by Hrivnak.

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Garnet Valley’s Greg Reynolds scores in the second quarter, one of seven Jaguars to find the end zone in a 58-12 victory at Lower Merion Saturday. (PETE BANNAN — MEDIANEWS GROUP)