Raiders rally behind Cohen to edge Conestoga
RADNOR » Radnor junior running back Matt Cohen, who rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the Raiders’ 12-6 win against Conestoga Saturday, briefly reflected on the meaning of beating the Pioneers for the second year in a row.
“It was really important for us to win tonight,” Cohen said. “Conestoga is our unwritten rival. They’re bigger than we are but we can compete with them.”
The Pioneers (1-4, 1-3) made it tough for Radnor in the first half. Junior running back Milton Robinson, who scored on a 14 yard run late in the first quarter, and junior halfback Amani Christopher teamed up in the first half for 120 rushing yards on 17 carries, and Conestoga took a 6-0 lead into the locker room.
But Radnor (3-2, 1-2) tied the score late in the third quarter on Cohen’s 8 yard TD run, then went ahead for good with 5:40 left on Cohen’s 38-yard scoring run down the left sideline.
“Both Matt and Taylor Margolis did a good job at running back, and I thought our whole offensive line played awesome tonight, especially in the second half,” Radnor head coach Tom Ryan said. “On defense, Kyle Addis did a great job for us at linebacker, and I thought our entire defensive line really picked up its play in the second half.”
In the first quarter, Conestoga scored on its second possession, following a Radnor fumble which Robinson recovered at the Radnor 43 yard line. The Pioneers called five straight running plays, alternating Robinson and Christopher, and on the fifth run Robinson burst into the end zone for a 6-0 Conestoga lead with 5:53 to play in the first stanza.
Radnor then went on a long drive of its own, moving 56 yards in 12 plays (nine of them runs) to the Conestoga 17 yard line, but there the drive stalled.
Midway through the second quarter, Conestoga senior Nick Braendel intercepted a Radnor pass and returned it to the Raider 20 yard line, but the hosts’ defense stiffened and the Pioneers failed to score.
Conestoga got a break 47 seconds into the third quarter when Pioneer senior linebacker Jackson Niness recovered a Radnor fumble. But four plays later, Conestoga loss the ball on a high snap and Radnor senior Joaquin Hollero recovered.
“We were moving the ball, but shooting ourselves in the foot with holding penalties and fumbled snaps,” Conestoga coach Marquis Weeks said. “It’s like we were taking 10 steps forward and nine steps back. We need better resolve after (a bad play). We can’t let things snowball.”
Radnor then took charge, going on a 59 yard touchdown drive composed of 11 consecutive running plays. On the last four plays, Radnor gave the ball to Cohen, and he gained 28 yards all the way to the end zone, scoring from the 8 to tie the score at 6-6 with 3:58 to play in the third quarter.
“Our offensive line did a great job [on the TD run],” said Cohen. “I wasn’t even touched on the way to the end zone – there was one guy standing on the goal line, and I got past him.”
Cohen carried the majority of the offensive load Saturday, as starting quarterback Sean Mullarkey was sidelined with an injury. Sam DiLella and Teddy Girton alternated at the signal-calling spot s, and both made contributions to the victory.
“Sam and Teddy both practiced at quarterback all week, and they did the job for us tonight,” said Ryan. “Sean will be back for us in our next game Thursday against Harriton.”
Following Radnor’s first touchdown, the Raiders defense held for two three-andouts. Conestoga punted to its 35, and three plays later, Cohen broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run down the left sideline to put Radnor up for good 12-6 with 5:40 left.