Ridley Ground Game Downs Strath Haven 28-7
Written by: Willie McGonigle on Saturday, October 25th, 2008. Follow Willie McGonigle on Twitter.
RIDLEY PA: In its story history that dates back to the 1930’s the Green Raiders of Ridley has a tradition of passing the pigskin but on the night that they honor the 1989 Central League champions the Green Raiders let their running game pace them to a 28-7 victory over the visiting Panthers from Strath Haven Friday evening at Phil Merion Field. “Honestly we plan both the passing and the rushing game” is what Green Raider Head Coach John Waller said when asked his game planning.
The Green Raider offensive line of Nick Hober. Jim Kelly, Lou Devito ,John Birmingham, Pat Zimmer, and Dillion Hayner paved the way for Sophomore Shahaid Smith who stands at 5’4 to run for 198 yards on 21 carries and 3 touchdowns. “ The linemen executed well, blocked well, it was a matter of time before I had a game like this” is what Smith said after when asked about his performance. Waller echoed Smiths thoughts on his line play by saying “this obviously is the best our offensive line played all, it allowed us to take advantage of this guy (Smith’s) athletic ability.” When asked if they could be a change in the offensive attack Waller responded “We still are going to be a good mix of run and pass.”
Smith would get the Green Raiders on the broad first in the second quarter with his 2 yard touchdown run. Tom Bongiorno would add the extra point making the lead 7-0.
The Green Raiders would show there balance on their score which came compliments of a 3 yard pass from Andrew Pidgeon to Kevin McLaughlin. Bongiorno would add the extra point making the lead 14-0 heading into the locker room at half time.
The Green Raiders would waste little time in making the lead 21 as they took the opening drive of the second half 73 yards on 7 plays before Smith would punch it in from a yard out. Bongiorno would add the extra point making the lead 21-0.
Smith would punch it in the end zone one more time this time it was 14 yards out. Bongiorno would add the extra point making the lead 28-0
Strath Haven would finally get on the broad with under a minute left in the game when Nick Decindis would punch it in from 3 yards out. Mike Stanix would add the extra point to cut lead to 28-7.
With the victory the Green Raiders can clinch a share of the Central Title by defeating the Jaguars of Garnet Valley this Friday night at Morris Defrank Field. To clinch a share of the title the Green Raiders would also need Penncrest to defeat the Pioneers of Conestoga.
Strath Haven 0 0 0 7 7
Ridley 0 14 7 7 28
Rid Smith 2 yard run Bongiorno kick 11:55 2nd
Rid McLaughlin 3 yard pass from Pidgeon Bongiorno Kick 7:22 2nd
Rid Smith 1 yard run Bongiorno Kick 8:51 3rd
Rid Smith 14 yard run Bongiorno Kick 10:32 4th
SH Decindis 3 yard run Stanix Kick 0:51 4th
Rushing
Strath Haven: Richardson 12-82, Decindis 13-73 Speaker 5-14, Kennedy 2-6, Kopac 2-(-11) Fisher 3-5
Ridley: Smith 21-198, Pidgeon 6-12, Harshaw 5-29, Dixon-Dougon 1-0
Passing Completions Attempts, yards TDs Int
Strath Haven: Kopac 5-8-23-0-0
Ridley Pidgeon 5-7-50-1-0
Receiving
Strath Haven: Fisher 3-9, Decindis 1-6,Stanix 1-8
Ridley: Cahill 1-5, Foster 2-35, Meyers 1-1,McLaughlin 1-3, Smith 1-17
SH Rid
First Downs 9 10
Rushes/yards 37-109 33-239
Completions/yards 5/23 5/50
Total Yards 132 289
Punts/ Average 5/35.2 2/27.5
Fumbles/Lost 0/0 1/0
Penalties/ Yards 2/20 3/35
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October 28th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Ridley simply needs to beat Garnet Valley to clinch a share of the Central League what Penncrest does is irrelevant.Also, Willie it’s board not broad.