Since the PIAA expanded to six classifications for the 2016-17 school year, Delaware County’s top football programs have filled the Class 5A rankings, but only two have won it: Academy Park in 2016 and Strath Haven in 2021 and 2023.

Friday night, No. 1 Springfield (11-1) and fifth-seeded Garnet Valley (9-3) will play for a spot in the district final, where they would face the winner of No. 2 West Chester Rustin and sixth-seeded Upper Dublin. The final will be held next week at the higher seed.

Garnet Valley, which dropped this year to Class 5A, captured back-to-back 6A titles in 2021 and 2022. Springfield (11-1) has long been knocking on the door of a district title, the runner-up in 2014 (class). 3A), 2016 (5A) and 2018 (5A). The Cougars are seeking the program’s first title.

If recent history is any indication, Springfield should be considered the slight favorite. When the teams played Oct. 18 at Springfield, the Cougars came from behind to win 35-23.

The Week 9 meeting started well enough for Garnet Valley as quarterback Luke O’Donoghue scampered 70-yards on the second play of the game, setting up a Mike Medici field goal for a quick 3-0 lead. Minutes later, O’Donoghue connected with Luke Vaughn for a 23-yard touchdown, extending Garnet Valley’s lead to 10-0 late in the first quarter.

Springfield responded with a trick play, quarterback Jackson Kennedy handing off to Jaime Stevenson, who launched a 29-yard touchdown pass to Chris Dolan. Nate Romano followed with a short touchdown, giving Springfield the lead for good.

The Cougars took full control in the third quarter and extended their advantage with a nine-play drive capped by Brad Barber’s short touchdown scamper. Barber later broke free for a 28-yard score, and Romano caught a 16-yard TD pass from Kennedy to seal the lopsided win. Springfield controlled the pace and line of scrimmage and beat Garnet Valley at its own game.

The Jaguars dropped their regular-season finale to Ridley, but have since looked strong, with a 42-7 win over Kennett in the first round and edging Strath Haven in overtime of a thrilling quarterfinal 35-34. In those two games, the Jags have rushed for 575 yards, an average of 5.8 yards per carry. For most of the year, the Jags have had success throwing the ball with O’Donghue. But in districts, they’ve relied on a host of ball carriers including O’Donoghue and Paxton Hunt, who ran for 92 yards on 13 carries against Kennett and 80 yards on 18 carries against Strath Haven.

“The last two weeks of the regular season we kind of got down in the dumps and we didn’t play Garnet Valley football,” coach Eric Van Wyk said. “We went back to our roots of just believing in each other, believing in the coaching staff and believing in the culture. As a result, we developed our identity again of what we wanted to accomplish.”

The Jags have been bolstered on the offensive line by senior center Joe Anzalone and senior tackle Braden Green. On the defensive side, junior Travis Griffith has filled in nicely at tackle for Reis Meiser, who suffered a season-ending injury against Ridley. Van Wyk called Meiser one of the team’s best all-round players.

“We’ve really emphasized our offensive and defensive lines and challenged them to move guys forward and battle out there,” Van Wyk said. “We got back to basics and did some things really well and were able to get a couple of nice wins. It’s started with Joe Anzalone, the energy and leadership that he’s shown and being able to bring the guys together. He has set the tone for everyone.”

Springfield’s second straight Central League title has been fueled by a determination to prove themselves. There were questions heading into the season whether the Cougars could match last year’s success after the departure of several seniors who guided the team to one of its best seasons. But the 2024 Cougars have proven once again that they are among the toughest, most talented and best coached teams in the area.

This year’s senior class, although small in number, has shown the way. Standouts like Romano, lineman Ryan Benjamin and wide receivers/defensive backs Chris Dolan and Brian Delaney have led the team to another elite season that has the Cougars in the district semifinals for the second year in a row.

“There were a lot of people who maybe doubted us, but we never doubted each other,” Romano said after the Cougars’ win over Strath Haven on Oct. 25. “We worked hard in the offseason, in the weight room, and we all wanted to come back here and be even better than before. And we never stop trusting each other.”

The Cougars destroyed Academy Park, 49-6, in the first round before coming back to defeat Marple Newtown, 21-14. Romano’s 1-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter tied the game. Early in the fourth, Tanner Coll rushed to the end zone from six yards out for the clinching score.

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Bonner & Prendergast will face West Philadelphia in the District 12 Class 4A final on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the South Philadelphia Supersite. The matchup is a first-round game in the PIAA tournament, the winner advances to next week’s quarterfinals to take on either District 1 champion Pope John Paul II or District 2 champion Valley View.

The Friars (8-2) have been Delco’s top team most of the season. Last week, they captured their sixth straight Catholic League Class 4A title with a 28-21 triumph over Cardinal O’Hara. Quarterback Noel Campbell led the charge, completing 21 of 24 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns. West Virginia commit Jalil Hall had eight receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown, while Jeremiah Coleman and Rob Ford also contributed touchdown catches. Mick Johnson added his 17th rushing touchdown of the season.

On defense, the Friars have been anchored by senior defensive tackle Khalil Holley and junior edge rusher CJ Amobi, who have been relentless in the backfield, combining for 33 tackles for loss.

Winners of four straight, West Philly (7-4) took first place in the Public League’s American Conference. Senior running back Zahfir Cleveland has amassed over 1,100 rushing yards with six touchdowns, including a 136-yard performance in the Speedboys’ 18-0 victory over Martin Luther King last week.

Originally published: November 14, 2024 at 6:59 PM EST