The “Pick Six” - a turning point for a defensive unit, a wrench for the offense. PSD’s “Pick Six” highlights personal achievements, team highlights and unbiased turning points of our weekly Inter-Ac League teams in their previously played games.
Photos/Videos: Lou Rabito, Marc Narducci, Nick Schreder & Mike Nance
By: Rich Flanagan
Pick One: Malvern Prep Has the Wright Stuff
A year after playing a shortened schedule as an independent, Malvern Prep played its first Inter-Ac League game in nearly two years. The Friars had their fair share of moments in non-league play but were still looking to clean some things up.
On homecoming weekend, head coach Dave Gueriera was simply happy to be playing a league game on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon like old times.
“It felt normal,” Gueriera said. “It was a feeling that we have had so many times in the past. Everything feels back on track.”
The Friars cruised to a 41-21 win over Penn Charter behind a career performance from senior running back Isaiah Wright, who scored the game’s first touchdown of the day on a 28-yard run. Wright racked up 248 yards on 23 carries and that opening score. It was a career-high for the 5-foot-8 Wright and the most by a Friars player since Lonnie White, now a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, who rushed for 251 yards against the Quakers in 2019.
Wright nearly rushed for as many yards (300) as he had in Malvern Prep’s first five games this season. Gueriera has seen the agility and vision Wright possesses and could not be more thrilled that he was able to put it all together.
“We know how Isaiah is and he’s definitely shown a lot of flashes over three years,” Gueriera said. “He started as a sophomore and has performed really well. This was that breakout game for Isaiah and he’s a super, valuable player.”
The Friars (4-2, 1-0 Inter-Ac) received notable contributions from several players on the roster. Senior wideout and Richmond commit D’Angelo Stocker caught a 21-yard touchdown from quarterback Jack Capaldi. He finished with 51 receiving yards, his fourth consecutive game with at least 51 yards. Senior linebacker Andrew Connolly recorded a pair of interceptions off of Quakers quarterback Colin Schumm, including one that was returned 23 yards for a touchdown.
Malvern Prep vs. Penn Charter - PSD Game Highlights by Marc Narducci:
Malvern Prep vs. Penn Charter - PSD Gallery by Lou Rabito
No play may have been bigger than junior Yaahdir Nash’s 88-yard kickoff return touchdown, which ultimately put the game out of reach for Penn Charter. It was the Friars first kickoff return score of the season and one that came at an opportune time as the Quakers had returned one of their own on the preceding kickoff.
Malvern Prep heads to the Haverford School on Friday a 3:15 p.m.
Pick Two: Fords Rally From Huge Deficit for Victory
Brian Martin did not look one bit distraught at halftime. With the Fords trailing 28-7, he did the only thing he could do: coach.
He talked things over with his assistants before addressing his team. He watched in awe as teammates were riling each other up and constructively talking about the first half.
Martin had a feeling that the tide could be easily turned.
“My message to them was success is earned,” Martin said. “You put in the work and we had a great week of practice. The next part of being successful is you have to take it. We’re doing it initially but I said the coaches believe in you and I know they believed it because they were rallying around one another.”
Haverford School rallied and escaped with a 31-28 victory over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy after junior kicker Ivan Harlamov nailed the game-winning 36-yard field goal with no time left. Harlamov had converted four point-after tries and was gifted with a reasonable spot to attempt the game winner.
Martin and his staff made some momentum-shifting changes in personnel heading into the second half. Starting quarterback Mike Galasso suffered a foot injury and was replaced by Mike Benincasa, who threw the Fords (3-2, 1-0) only touchdown pass on a 20-yard strike to tight end James Falk.
The ground game changed the complexion of the contest for Haverford School as they tallied 251 rushing yards on the day. Senior receiver Sam Gerber was moved to running back and “definitely gave us a spark,” according to Martin. Gerber rushed for 108 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown. Sophomore Matthew Brosko was also sensational out of the backfield rushing for 103 yards and a score of his own.
Martin stressed that his team’s spirit and commitment to getting back into the game made the difference between the Blue Devils extending their lead and his team closing the gap.
In this photo, Haverford School junior Ivan Harlamov kicked the game-winning 36-yard field goal vs. SCH - PSD Photo by Mike Nance
Haverford School vs. Springside Chestnut Hill - PSD Gallery by Mike Nance
“We knew we had a young team but we decided let’s rally the troops and keep coaching them up,” Martin said. “We changed some personnel and went away from throwing as much. Let’s do what we do best and run the ball. We changed our mentality and it worked for us.”
The Fords also made changes on the defensive side with freshman Kellen Gardner and sophomore Sean Brodnik moving to linebacker. Gardner made a terrific open field tackle on Blue Devils quarterback Aidan Dooley. Junior Michael Dean had an impressive game as he made a tackle to save a touchdown. Afterward, Springside Chestnut Hill committed two consecutive penalties before Dooley threw an interception to junior Wills Burt that ended the drive. More plays like that will be crucial to the Fords success as they head into their matchup with the Friars.
Pick Three: Jones, Rayborn Propel Churchmen
Over the last two seasons, Episcopal Academy has become accustomed to playing in close games. Seven of their last nine Inter-Ac games have been decided by one score or less.
With under 40 seconds to play, Germantown Academy was driving and the Churchmen were struggling to keep them out of field goal range. The Patriots got into position for one final shot to win the game when senior CJ Jones busted through to block Jared Smith’s potential game-winning 38-yard field goal. The block sealed Episcopal Academy’s 29-28 victory in dramatic fashion.
What made the block even more amazing was that Jones had only been cleared to play the day before. He broke his clavicle in a preseason scrimmage and returned to make the biggest play of the game.
Head coach Todd Fairlie said what everyone on the Churchmen roster was thinking.
“Thank God he was cleared because we may not have won the game,” Fairlie said jokingly.
It was the latest example of Episcopal Academy’s resilience and was spurred by strong play from backup quarterback Na’rome Rayborn. Senior captain and starting quarterback Jake Fant recorded a pair of rushing touchdowns in the opening half but ultimately a left shoulder injury that he suffered on the very first drive took him out of the game. Rayborn, a 6-foot sophomore who has seen a lot of action at defensive back, stepped in and played admirably.
EA vs. GA Game highlights - by EA Jr. Reporter Nick SChreder:
With the Churchmen (4-2, 1-0) trailing by seven, senior Andrew McMeekin, who rushed for a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter, recorded a sack on third down then blocked a punt on the ensuing play. This set Episcopal Academy up with great field position and a few plays later Rayborn found Bryce Cooper for a 16-yard touchdown with 49 seconds remaining. Instead of kicking the extra point to tie, Fairlie kept his inexperienced quarterback out there and he converted a huge two-point conversion on a pass to TJ Cadden to put the Churchmen in front, 29-28.
EA sophomore QB Na’rome Rayborn came in for an injured Jake Fant to lead the Churchmen to victory vs. Germantown Academy - PSD photo by EA Jr. Reporter Nick Schreder
Fairlie was proud of Rayborn’s performance and how the team banded around him.
“It was a tough situation losing Jake and playing without a senior quarterback and captain is difficult,” Fairlie said. “We were fortunate to have Na’rome and the kids rallied around him.”
Episcopal Academy has been hit with a rash of injuries over the last few seasons but has found a way to accumulate wins in the process. It speaks to the team’s ability to insert players in various spots and watch them make plays.
Injuries are part of the game and Fairlie is ecstatic with how players have responded in tough situations.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of guys down for a variety of reasons at different positions. A lot of guys have stepped in and played meaningful roles. We spread the ball around and have an offense where nine different guys get touches throughout the game. That creates confidence because more guys are involved.”
Episcopal Academy heads to Penn Charter on Saturday.
Pick Four: Allen Giving Patriots Potent Ground Attack
One of the focal reasons the Patriots nearly took down Episcopal Academy was the play of running back Brian Allen, who rushed for 228 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns.
The 5-foot-11 senior carved up the Churchmen’s defense for the most rushing yards by a Germantown Academy player since Reed Marko had 232 versus Episcopal Academy in 2007.
He has rushed for over 100 yards in every game this season and his 229 on the ground are a career high. He has racked up 855 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, both of which lead the Inter-Ac. The Patriots (3-2, 0-1) have been much improved this season and Allen is a main part of that resurgence.
Germantown Academy will play Springside Chestnut Hill on Saturday.
GA’s Brian Allen pummels his way into the end zone - video by EA Jr. Reporter Nick Schreder
Pick Five: Dooley’s Prolific Production Paces Blue Devils
No passer in the Inter-Ac has been more prolific than Aidan Dooley.
SCH senior QB Aidan Dooley has tallied 1,364 yards and 17 touchdowns so far this season for the Blue Devils - PSD Photo by Mike Nance
The 6-foot-1 senior signal caller threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to the Fords. He has thrown for at least 200 yards in five of the Blue Devils (3-3, 0-1) six games.
For the season, he has completed 89-for-144 (61.8 percent) for 1,364 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Springside Chestnut Hill record for passing yards (2,325) and touchdowns (27) in a season is held by his oldest brother, Paul, who starred at West Chester University. His other brother, Shane, is currently on the Golden Rams roster. If Aidan keeps slinging the ball at this rate, he could easily eclipse both of Paul’s records in his final season.
Pick Six: Defense, Special Teams Give Penn Charter Reasons for Optimism
Despite the loss, Penn Charter (2-3, 0-1) hung with Malvern Prep and found several ways to put points on the board.
Trailing 17-0, Ohifame Ijeboi returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to stop the Friars early run. Unfortunately, Malvern Prep’s Nash ran back the aforementioned kickoff of his own to the house on the very next return.
Liam Rowan made a huge play by picking off Capaldi and taking it back 70 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 31-21 at halftime. That was the Quakers first defensive score of the season.
Schumm, known more for his running ability this season, found Zack Curtin for an eight-yard scoring hookup. Schumm has thrown a touchdown pass in four straight games.