Conestoga Holds on to Upset Ridley Football

A botched snap saved ’s game against Ridley and maybe even their season. The mishap, which occurred after the Raiders had scored what should have been the game-tying touchdown, iced the game for the Pioneers at 21-20.

“We said all week that you get very few chances in the season to get a big name win against a great opponent. And Ridley’s a great opponent,” said coach John Vogan said, who was honored during the game for leading the Conestoga baseball team to a state title earlier this year. “The game plan was exactly what we wanted… I’m just proud of how my kids fought all the way to the end. “

The Pioneers got off to an early lead after scoring on their first drive of the game. Junior quarterback Joe Viviano connected on a 4-yard pass to junior tight end Riley Pritchett to go up 7-0. One quarter later, Viviano hooked up on a 84-yard touchdown strike to senior wideout Davonte Carter.

Ridley halved the lead with a passing touchdown with a minute left in the first half, and the teams went into halftime with Conestoga on top 14-7.

The touchdown clearly gave the Raiders momentum, as they controlled the ball for much of the third quarter. Ridley looked as though they would score twice during the quarter, but each drive ended with sophomore quarterback Matt Davis being picked off.

The second interception looked as though it would cost the Raiders, but Pioneers senior halfback Jerrell Clarke fumbled in the redzone on the ensuing drive. The fumble breathed new life into the sputtering Ridley offense, which went on to score on a 29-yard passing score to end the third quarter.

Notched at 14 going into the fourth quarter, Conestoga orchestrated a long drive with the help of key plays from Clarke and Viviano. After advancing to the 1-yard line, Viviano scored on a sneak with the help of his big offense line to make the score 21-14 with 3:32 left to play in the game.

“The offensive line was doing great. We had to move two guys that got hurt, but [their replacements] stepped up,” Viviano said.

But back fought Ridley. After a big kick-off return, Ridley took over in the red zone, eventually driving the ball all the way up to the 6-yard line. After a fumble and incomplete pass, Ridley was faced with a fourth and 11, but Davis managed to squeeze a pass through to his receiver on the 1-yard line. Davis then scored on a quarterback sneak, which set up the extra point that would tie the game with 1:01 remaining in the game.

However, Lady Luck was on the Pioneers side, as the snap sailed over the holder’s head and far into the backfield.

Conestoga easily recovered the onsides kick, and ran out the clock with a few knee-downs.

Up next, Conestoga (2-1) will take on Penncrest (0-3) next Friday at home.