Inter-Ac, It's All About Tradition
Featuring:
Ke’Shawn Williams, senior WR, Springside Chestnut Hill, Tyler Tinson, senior WR, Malvern Prep – Kyle Jones, senior QB/LB, William Penn Charter – Tayshaun Mack, senior WR, Germantown Academy – Daiyaan Hawkins, senior RB/CB, Haverford School – Matt Bush, senior LB, Episcopal Academy. *In the huddle with Springside Chestnut Hill!*
By: Chris Williams & Angelise Stuhl
By: John Knebels
PHILADELPHIA – Poll lifelong Philadelphians and ask what boy schools they think of when asked about tradition. Chances are, one or more of the six schools that currently comprise the Inter-Academic League would immediately come to mind.
While Penn Charter (1689), Germantown Academy (1759), Episcopal Academy (1785), Malvern Prep (1842), Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (1861), and Haverford School (1884) were founded centuries ago, Inter-Ac football commenced in 1887 and hasn’t been tackled for a loss ever since.
Heading into this fall Penn Charter (36 outright titles; 12 shared), Malvern (24-10), Haverford School (19-9), Episcopal (16-9), Germantown Academy (11-13), and SCH (one shared) have all experienced championship seasons.
With the non-league portion of their schedules already accounted for, Inter-Ac competition begins this coming weekend. Rarely has there been a scenario in which six teams honestly view themselves as legitimate championship contenders, and for good reason.
The composite record of the sextet is a gaudy 23-6; four of those losses are by one team, and four teams remain undefeated.
All previews begin with the defending champion.
Malvern Prep has captured two consecutive outright crowns and also owned a share of the 2016 title. Malvern has snared 24 of the past 47 championships and shared nine others; it also shared the 1959 title.
The Friars, however, have struggled. While their competition has been formidable and key injuries necessitated a quick infusion of youthful inexperience, they have uncharacteristically lost four of five.
Although they buried Berks Catholic, 43-12, the Friars have been outscored by 129-52 in their four defeats.
Malvern Prep seniors Tyler Tinson & Isaac White talk about MP's brotherhood and also comment on leaders who have stepped up this season: (video by-Angelise Stuhl)
But this theme is about tradition, and all it will take for Malvern to right the ship is a victory in its opener at Germantown Academy 1:00 Saturday.
“When I hear tradition and Malvern, I think they both go well together,” said senior wide receiver Ryan Maguire. “Malvern football has had recent success because of tradition and faith.
“We hope to have a great Inter-Ac. I promise you, we will play Malvern Prep football with faith and consistency.”
The Friars’ opponent, Germantown Academy, is 4-0 with an average winning margin of 43-24.
“When I think of tradition and Germantown Academy, I think of how our program has and will constantly be full of great people,” said senior tight end/defensive end Hans Lillis, who will play at Boston College University next year. “Our excellent coaching has given us great opportunities to be successful on and off the field.
Germantown Academy senior Tayshaun Mack talks about "Winning the Day" and how much the historic PC-GA day rivalry means to him: (video by-Angelise Stuhl)
“Coach (Matt) Dence constantly preaches about how important it is to be a great and respectful person. It’s awesome to be a part of a team that has so much talent, but it is more valuable to me and the players that everyone has each other’s backs.”
Lillis lauded GA’s “amazing fan base; it is awesome to see our school spirit every Saturday afternoon in the fall like I have for the past three years.” He said the Patriots’ traditional team meal hours before kickoff galvanizes the players and coaches.
“It allows us to be with one another and mentally prepare for the game to come,” said Lillis. “We are a very tightly knit team with a lot of talent, and I think we’ll be a hard team to beat.”
Prediction: Based on early results, Malvern would appear to be an underdog. However, several players are now healthy after missing time. Germantown Academy is led by steady junior quarterback Jordan Longino, who missed the Inter-Ac last season with an injury. Because Malvern possesses a 14-game Inter-Ac winning streak and a league record of 26-4 since 2013, the Friars need to lose before betting against them. In a contest decided late, Malvern disappoints the home Patriots, 24-20.
A pair of undefeated squads will face each other 2:00 Saturday when Episcopal Academy visits Penn Charter. Both are 5-0 and have displayed particular mettle on defense.
Anchored by Matt Bush, Malcolm Folk, Marcus McDaniel, Jake Phelan, and Aiden Chavis, Episcopal’s defense has allowed only 54 points; most of those coming in a 34-21 win over St. Mary’s (MD). With McDaniel at quarterback, the Churchmen have averaged 30 points per game.
“When I think of tradition, I think of our school motto, which is esse quam videri, which is Latin for ‘to be’ rather than ‘to seem,’” said senior wide receiver Brian Virbitsky. “I think this plays true for our team because we have to show up every game and prepare both mentally and physically for the tough Inter-Ac schedule.”
EA’s defense will have its challenge stopping the Penn Charter offense. The Quakers have scored 41, 44, 44, 56, and 34 points while surrendering a composite 63.
Episcopal Academy senior Matt Bush describes what it means to him to wear an "EA" jersey and talks about the competitiveness of the league: (video by-Angelise Stuhl)
With seven rushing touchdowns and six scoring tosses, senior Kyle Jones hasn’t skipped a beat since being named a first-team linebacker and second-team quarterback last fall. Junior second-team safety and standout running back Matt Marshall (eight touchdown runs) mentors the secondary.
“When I think of tradition and Penn Charter, a lot comes to mind,” said Jones. “But when talking about football, for me, it’s being able to wear the gold helmet. Throughout many uniform changes, the gold helmet has been constant besides a short period where we wore blue during my freshmen and sophomore years.
“Many alumni have told me what the gold helmet means to them and the program, and being able to wear it these last two years is a honor. It connects me with many generations and a lot of great football players.”
Penn Charter senior Kyle Jones talks about wearing the Quakers uniform, the significance about their Gold helmets, and notes key players to watch this year: (video by-Angelise Stuhl)
Prediction: This is easily the most difficult game to figure out. Episcopal’s non-league schedule – particularly St. Mary’s (MD), Northeast High and Salesianum School (DE) – was arguably a bit more challenging than Penn Charter’s. Then again, Penn Charter is the home squad and the Quakers’ offense has been positively torrid. Flip of the coin says . . . Penn Charter, 26-20.
The Inter-Ac team that has arguably garnered the most conversation is Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Looking for its first-ever outright title, the Blue Devils are 5-0, starting with a 36-24 win over Father Judge followed by lopsided victories versus Central (41-0), Roman Catholic (44-7), Archbishop Ryan (47-21), and Hill School (35-7).
Senior tackle Luke Percy, sophomore cornerback Ivan Thorpe, and senior middle linebacker Nick Shragher are off to a great start on defense. The passing of AJ Graham (37 for 63, 757 yards, nine TDs), rushing of Aaron Rascoe (59-472-8), and receiving of senior all-around-star Ke’Shawn Williams (18 catches for 419 yards and seven touchdowns; two punt return touchdowns, and an interception for yet another score) have electrified the offense.
“We’re traditionally a team known for losing and being overlooked,” said Williams. “But that tradition has changed because of our talent, togetherness, and motivation.”
Springside Chestnut Hill senior Ke'Shawn Williams talks about the Blue Devils’ traditions, making a statement in league play and key team contributors: (video by-Angelise Stuhl)
Haverford School will visit SCH at 2:30 Saturday. After losing two of their first three, the Fords defeated Father Judge, 30-10, and Gilman School (MD), 47-20, in successive weeks.
Senior middle linebacker Pat Toal, juniors Brian Galasso (linebacker), Geordy Holmes (linebacker), Chris Sims (cornerback), and Billy Brosko (lineman) have shined on defense. Junior Mekhi Ajose-Williamson and senior Daiyaan Hawkins are a strong one-two backfield.
“Tradition with Haverford School football is just doing everything the right way and doing everything we can to win games,” said Toal. “The coaches have preached to us that this is a very strong Inter-Ac. Anyone could go 0-5 or 5-0. It’s very balanced.”
Haverford School seniors Matt McKenna & Mike Barr talk about the Ford's traditions and why playing aggressive during every league game is important: (video by-Angelise Stuhl)
Prediction: Springside Chestnut Hill has the countenance of a hungry team, executing on all phases of the game regardless of the score. Haverford meets the Blue Devils at an inopportune time. SCH scores early and often in a 40-7 win.
Inter-Academic League Football Championships
| School | First Outright | First Shared | Last Outright | Last Shared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown | 1887 | 1888 | 1973 | 2016 |
| Penn Charter | 1889 | 1888 | 2006 | 2004 |
| Haverford | 1891 | 1888 | 2015 | 2017 |
| Episcopal | 1911 | 1907 | 2012 | 2004 |
| Malvern | 1972 | 1959 | 2018 | 2016 |
| Chestnut Hill | ---- | 2009 | ---- | 2009 |
** Compiled by John Knebels via Tedsilary.com