Lassik, Garnet Valley take to the air to get past Owen J. Roberts

CONCORD TWP. — Garnet Valley has carved its way into Southeastern Pennsylvania lore with a hard-nosed running attack.

When this season’s version of the Jaguars needs to air it out, though, they can open up a game in a hurry. Just ask Owen J. Roberts.

Garnet Valley used a tricky aerial attack to fluster the Wildcats and secure a 28-21 victory in the opening round of the District 1 Class 6A tournament Friday.

For Jaguars coach Erik VanWyk, the offensive line was a big key in helping power the No. 8 Jaguars’ passing game.

“Joe Anzalone, Lucas Possenti, Dylan Bledsoe…all those guys up front. They did a great job,” VanWyk said. “(Owen J. Roberts) brought a ton of pressure, but because they were able to keep those blocks and give us time, we were able to make some plays through the air.”

The win sends the Jaguars (9-2) into the second round to visit No. 1 seed C.B. West. The unbeaten Bucks defeated Garnet Valley in the opening week of the season, 17-13. Garnet Valley topped C.B. West, 35-7, in last year’s district final

Quarterback Tyler Lassik was perfect in the first half as he connected on all six of his passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

“We take pride in the run and teams get to know that,” Lassik said. “If they want to send that many guys to our run game, then we’re going to take advantage of them with our passing game.”

Lassik hit Luke O’Donoghue with a 50-yard scoring strike and later lifted a beautiful ball to Caden Olinger that the tight end hauled in over his shoulder to put the Jaguars up 21-7 in the second quarter.

It was just a few weeks ago that O’Donoghue was under center, filling in for Lassik when the quarterback was out injured. Whether it’s Olinger or O’Donoghue, Lassik has built up a connection with both.

“Being injured, I had to build those relationships back up,” Lassik said. “We’ve worked on it so many times that it’s become something where I just trust in (Olinger). (O’Donoghue) played amazing when I was out. When I throw him a touchdown pass and I go into the end zone and see him, I just smile and say, ‘Why am I throwing you touchdowns? What is going on?’ It’s really crazy.”

For the Wildcats, it was a tough first 24 minutes.

“We made too many mistakes, including a couple in the first half that really hurt us,” OJR coach Rich Kolka said. “If we don’t make those, it might have been a different game. I thought we were just as good as they were.”

Garnet Valley took advantage of one of those miscues when Chase Wilt hopped on a fumbled punt, which set the Jags up nicely at the Owen J. Roberts 20-yard line. Ronnie Leraris dashed into the end zone for an early 7-0 lead on the next play.

For Jags lineman Dylan Bledsoe, dealing with the aggressive Owen J. Roberts defense was a street fight, especially in the passing game.

“It was a battle in the trenches,” Bledsoe said. “They were tough, strong, and physical, but we just had to stand our ground and battle through the hard times.”

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Garnet Valley quarterback Tyler Lassik throws for a first down in a game against Marple Newtown last month. (Pete Bannan - MediaNews Group)