McDowell, Garnet Valley drag home another win

CONCORD TWP. — Garnet Valley figured to put points on the board Friday. But five touchdowns in the first half was a pleasant surprise even for Jaguars head coach Eric Van Wyk, who substituted liberally in a 49-0 win over Radnor.

Senior Jake McDowell got the Jaguars started on a 50-yard pass from Matt Mesaros, dragging a tackler into the end zone to start the scoring at Moe DeFrank Stadium. The distance McDowell carried the defender is becoming legend.

“I’m not really sure,” McDowell said. “I heard 10, I heard 15, I heard 20. I’ll have to watch the replay. But it’s incredible to start like that. You’ve really got to set the tone and that play got us going. We got all pumped, the offense and the defense and we just clicked.”

McDowell later registered back-to-back sacks of quarterback Tucker Graham to end a Radnor threat late in the third quarter.

The Jaguars (3-0, 2-0 Central) have won their first three games for the third straight season. Seven players scored touchdowns, Mesaros threw two touchdown passes and Drew Van Horn kicked five PATs in place of regular kicker Timothy Comers, shelved with a knee injury.

“He did pretty well,” Comers said. “Pretty well.”

The Jaguars pitched yet another shutout in their bid to carve out an identity separate from the powerhouse squad that advanced to the Class 6A semifinals last year. It’s their 36th straight Central League win, dating to 2017.

“People didn’t think we would be able to measure up to last year,” McDowell said. “But this year’s mentality is proving it. I really think we’re proving it so far.”

Ronnie Leraris and Jack Westburg ran for touchdowns of 27 and 34 yards, respectively, in the first quarter. Mesaros found Van Horn for a 29-yard touchdown to make it 27-0 after a quarter. Both of Mesaros’ completions went for scores.

Luke Mingioni added a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Garnet Valley ran 48 times for 316 yards, no one carrying more than five times. Leraris led the way with five carries for 68 yards.

The Raptors (0-3, 0-2 Central) played their 22nd straight road game while awaiting the completion of Prevost Field. Coach Kyle Yeiter was encouraged with the way his players fought to the end, a last-ditch drive ending deep in Jaguars territory with 21 seconds left. Brandon Skabla completed a 60-yard throw to Aiden Roselle to get the Raptors close.

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Garnet Valley football coach Eric Van Wyk (white hat) after the tea's 49-0 win over Radnor Friday.