INTER-AC PICK SIX: SCH RUNS TO VICTORY, SECOND-HALF KICKOFF TURNS IT AROUND FOR MALVERN PREP, STRONG FIRST HALVES FOR GERMANTOWN ACADEMY AND HAVERFORD SCHOOL, PENN CHARTER DEFEATED IN A NAIL-BITER, EPISCOPAL ACADEMY RESPONDS TO EARLY AND LATE ADVERSITY
Photos: Krystal Williams & Zamani Feelings
By: Marc Narducci
Week 2 of Inter-Ac schedule had a familiar theme. All three victors used big second-half performances to earn the W. Here is a look back at Week 2 and a look ahead to a critical Week 3 in Inter-Ac play.
PICK 1: A BIG SECOND HALF FOR SCH
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy was leading Germantown Academy 10-7 at halftime of its homecoming game on Saturday. Despite leading, things weren’t totally clicking for the Blue Devils.
Then the second half started, and SCH was a different team.
Quarterback Liam Zelman started things by scoring on a 4-yard run. Then sensational sophomore Will Howard burst through the middle for a 63-yard touchdown run. Finally, Howard scored on a 6-yard run and Zelman hit Aaron Clark for the two-point conversion early in the fourth quarter, upping the lead to 34-7.
It was quite a transformation for the Blue Devils, who snapped a three-game losing streak and evened their Inter-Ac record to 1-1.
“We were playing great defense the whole first half, but on the other end, they were giving us a different defensive look,” SCH coach Rick Knox said. “It was hurting our running game, so we adjusted at halftime.”
The 63-yard run by Howard was a true back-breaker. A 6-0, 185-pound sophomore, Howard entered the game with 873 yards and nine touchdowns on 118 carries. He added 209 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, going over the 1,000-yard mark with 1,082.
“That run all goes to my offensive line,” Howard said.
The 6-3, 215-pound Zelman is also a dangerous runner and whether he carries the ball or hands it off to Howard, it’s not easy for any opposing defense. He rushed for 126 yards and two scores on 14 carries.
“I like to call myself a dual-threat quarterback,” Zelman said. “We don’t throw the ball as much as we did last year, but I love running the ball and it is what SCH football is all about, hard-nosed football and that is what we love to do and what coach Knox wants to do, and I stand by it.”
SCH vs. GA Game Highlights by Marc Narducci for PSD:
SCH quarterback Liam Zelman talks about getting the win on homecoming weekend - PSD Video by Marc Narducci
SCH RB Will Howard says getting their first Inter-Ac win of the season feels amazing - PSD Video by Marc Narducci
Of course, it helps to be able to hand the ball off to a talent like Howard.
“It’s a blessing having him and it takes a big load off of me,” Zelman said.
This is Howard’s first varsity season, and he is making the most of the opportunity. Howard is already having to adjust to being a focal point of the opponent’s defensive game plan.
“I know they will start crowding the box, eliminating my running ability,” Howard said. “We have to keep fighting and setting the tone early and that is the thing we are trying to do here.”
Next: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Penn Charter
Pick 2: A POOCH KICKOFF TURNS THE TIDE FOR MALVERN PREP
Last Saturday at Malvern Prep, Friars coach Dave Gueriera wasn’t exactly the happiest of people at halftime. His team held a 14-11 lead over a gritty Haverford School team, which entered the game as a major underdog.
“It was homecoming with one of our biggest rivals and I felt we were too hyped, too excited and everybody had to take a breath and stay together,” Gueriera said.
When did things turn around during what became a 48-11 victory?
How about beginning with the second half kickoff. Malvern Prep had Ian Gopez execute a perfect pooch kickoff that the Friars recovered.
“We kick to them, and they have all the momentum, and we do a pop kick, and it drops at the 30-yard line and one of our fastest kids, Trey Gibson speeds down and lays out like superman and recovers the ball on the 30,” Gueriera said.
The next play, tight end Dylan Novak caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Melconian and the tide quickly turned for good.
Malvern Prep vs. Haverford School - PSD Game Highlights by Kathy Leister
Gopez, the kicker, was one of the heroes of the game. He provided the difference in the first half on field goals of 33 and 30 yards. And then he became the momentum changer with his kickoff.
“Throughout the week we practice it a little bit and coach Lex Bruno gave me permission to do the pooch kick,” Gopez said. “I tried to get it as high as I could for the guys to make the tackle and there was the hope that it could maybe take a good bounce, and we could recover.”
That’s exactly what happened.
“Going into the half it was a close game and Haverford was playing really strong and when we recovered, it changed the momentum,” Gopez said.
It was interesting that Gopez was among the heroes for the Friars. He began his career at Haverford School, attending there as a freshman and sophomore. Last year he transferred to Malvern Prep, but couldn’t play in Inter-Ac games due to the league transfer rules.
So, this was his first time against his former team.
“Last year I had to sit out and this year I am really happy to play in games like this,” said Gopez, who has booted six field goals this season. “I have a lot of respect for those guys and coach (Brian) Martin, and it felt good to play well and help the team win.”
As usual, there were plenty of players who made major contributions.
Zeke Bates was among the key offensive performers for Malvern Prep with 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Melconian completed 12 of 22 passes for 122 yards and a TD. Danny Riely had five receptions for 51 yards.
Malvern Prep senior kicker Ian Gopez #39 - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister
Malvern Prep vs. Haverford School - PSD Photos by Kathy Leister
Will Simmons led the defense with nine tackles, while Novak added seven. Joe Rosano scored on a 21-yard interception return. He also contributed three tackles, a fumble recovery and one pass defended. Jackson Ford scored on a 29-yard fumble return.
Next: Friday, 7 p.m. at Episcopal Academy
PICK 3: GA LOOKS TO BUILD OFF A STRONG FIRST HALF
Germantown Academy was right in the game on Saturday at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, trailing just 10-7 at halftime. The second half was a different story as SCH pulled away with a 34-13 victory.
“We went three-and-out on offense (to start the second half) and it snow-balled there for about six or seven minutes and it took us too long to respond,” GA coach Kyle Donahue said. “They are a really good team and coach (Rick) Knox is one of the best coaches in the Inter-Ac and they took advantages of our slow start and put us in a situation where really closed the game in the third quarter.”
What the Patriots will do is attempt to build off the first half effort.
“We played two fine quarters to start and then we kind of let it get away from us,” Donahue said.
GA senior quarterback Xavier Stearn stood tall while facing a ferocious pass rush all game. The Patriots kept fighting and ended the scoring on a 13-yard TD strike from Stearn to Mick McKee with 9:36 left in the fourth quarter.
It was McKee’s second TD reception of the game. He and Stearn hooked up for a 22-yard scoring pass in the first half on a 4t-and 7 play. For the game, McKee had eight receptions for 102 yards and the two TDs. Stearn completed 20 of 37 for 227 yards and the two scores.
“He is very tough and he’s very talented, so we have to do a good job of giving him some cleaner looks.” Donahue said of Stearn.
For Stearn, it’s all about the team continuing to put in the work to diligently prepare for the next opponent.
“It is obviously hard to get wins in this league, there are a bunch of good teams and players,” said Stearn, who is a Rutgers commit. “So we have to get back to work this week and come back next week and go for the W.”
Next: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Haverford School
GA senior quarterback Xavier Stearn #14 - PSD Photo by Krystal Williams
Germantown Academy vs. Springside Chestnut Hill - PSD Gallery by Krystal Williams
PICK 4: EPISCOPAL ACADEMY OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
For the second straight week, Episcopal Academy had to make a second half surge to win an Inter-Ac game. Last week the Churchmen were deadlocked at 14-14 with Springside Chestnut Hill Academy near the midway point of the third quarter before earning a 35-14 victory.
This past weekend, there was even more adversity to overcome.
Before the game was two minutes old, the Churchmen found themselves down 14-0 to Penn Charter.
EA worked its way back in the game and with the score 24-24, got the go-ahead touchdown on a 4-yard run by Brody Garrison late in the fourth quarter.
Garrison not only had the game-winning TD, but he set it up with an interception.
Episcopal Academy is now 7-0 and entering the game, the Churchmen won each of the previous six contests by 16 or more points. So maybe being involved in a nail-biter will help the Episcopal Academy down the road.
Episcopal Academy vs. Penn Charter - PSD Gallery by Zamani Feelings
“They made more plays than we did early, and we responded really well, and in the end, made plays that determined the game,” EA coach Todd Fairlie said. “Our team stuck together and kept its composure, and it was the first fourth quarter adversity in a while where we had to step up.”
Besides the winning score, EA received a 20-yard TD run by Jamil Abdul-Malik, a 28-ayrd field goal by Spencer Schuh, a 1-yard run by A’azhere Lucas and a 29-yard touchdown TD pass from Jackson Solley to Jackson Orcutt. Schuh was also successful on all four conversion kicks.
Solley completed 13 of 17 passes for 213 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. For the season Solley has thrown 13 TD passes and just one interception.
Orcutt had eight receptions for 144 yards and a TD. Garrison completed both of his passes for six yards, but also rushed for 56 yards and a TD on 12 carries. Besides his interception, Garrison also added seven solo tackles, including one tackle for loss. Junior linebacker Kamau Kegler led Episcopal Academy with nine tackles.
Now comes Friday’s home showdown against Malvern Prep in a matchup of the two remaining 2-0 Inter-Ac teams.
For Fairlie, it’s also the second straight week he will be facing a former assistant coach. Last week it was CJ Yespelkis of Penn Charter, who had been on the EA staff the previous 14 seasons.
This week it is Dave Gueriera of Malvern Prep, who was an EA assistant in 2012 (when the Churchmen won the Inter-Ac title) and 2013.
“It’s like playing against a brother, you want to beat him for competitive reasons,” Fairlie said. Then laughing, he added, “Not that you need any more incentive to want to beat Malvern.”
A showdown like this is why a team like Episcopal Academy works out all offseason.
“Our kids deserve it,” Fairlie said. “Last year wasn’t a typical year for the program and credit goes to the kids who worked hard to be in this position. It is exciting and a great opportunity to play in a great environment and it should be a fun night for the league.”
Next: Friday, 7 p.m. vs Malvern Prep
PICK 5: PENN CHARTER STANDING TALL IN DEFEAT
Penn Charter played one of the Inter-Ac’s top teams, Episcopal Academy on even terms for most of the game. It took a late touchdown by Episcopal Academy to defeat the Quakers, 31-24 at Penn Charter.
Penn Charter had jumped to a 14-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. Christian Downs scored on a 67-yard run 19 seconds into the game. Following a turnover, Matt Furda caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Nathan Hartman.
Trailing 24-17, the Quakers tied the score on a 1-yard TD run by Tom McGlinchey with 6:11 left in the fourth quarter.
What Penn Charter first-year head coach CJ Yespelkis liked was the heart shown by both teams.
“It was such a hard-fought fourth quarter with both teams having a lot of players go both ways,” Yespelkis said.
For the second straight Inter-Ac game, Yespelkis cited the play of A.J. Bouie, the immovable 6-foot-1, 260-pound junior nose tackle.
“They (Episcopal Academy) told me after the game, how hard he was to block.” Yespelkis said.
Bouie had four tackles, including two tackles for loss. Jake Tyer led the Quakers with one eight tackles and one fumble recovery. Jack Magee and Kingston Roundtree each had seven tackles.
Penn Charter junior Christian Downs #4 - PSD Photo by Zamani Feelings
Downs rushed for 93 yards and a TD on nine carries. McGlinchey gained 37 yards and a TD on nine carries. Hartman completed 7 of 13 for 101 yards and a TD, while McGlinchey completed 9 of 17 for 140 yards. Furda caught three passes for 58 yards and a score.
For Yespelkis, this was an emotional game. He spent the previous 14 years as an assistant for Episcopal Academy.
“I know how tough they are and how much they are going to fight,” Yespelkis said of Episcopal Academy.
It resulted in a typically tough Inter-Ac struggle.
“It was as good of a high school game as I have seen,” Yespelkis said. “It was a hard-fought, clean game and both teams made big plays when they had to.”
Next: Saturday, 1 p.m. vs. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Pick 6: STRONG FIRST HALF SHOWING FOR HAVERFORD SCHOOL
While it’s been an injury-plagued season for Haverford School, the Fords showed progress, especially in the first half, while facing two-time defending champion Malven Prep.
Yet, the favored Friars earned a 48-11 win, but Haverford School trailed just 14-11 at halftime.
“The guys came out and were ready to battle, but unfortunately we didn’t take advantage of opportunities and hurt ourselves with turnovers,” Haverford School coach Brian Martin said. “I am proud that they battled to the end, and I take that as a positive.”
Haverford School QB Zach Faragalli #6 - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister
The Fords played an opportunistic game on defense, with interceptions by JR Hawkins, Logan Evans and Christian Joachim.
Not surprisingly, junior Marcus Jones, Haverford School’s game-breaking receiver-safety, had another big game. He caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Zach Faragalli and also caught a two-point conversion pass. Jones finished with a team-high four receptions for 38 yards.
“He made so many big plays on both sides of the ball,” Martin said.
Haverford School’s other first half points came on a 26-yard field goal from junior Logan Camp. It was a big moment for Camp, who had never been a placekicker before this season.
“He said he would do anything to help the team, and we needed a kicker, so things have worked out,” Martin said.
Next: Saturday, 1 p.m. vs. Germantown Academy
Inter-Ac Standings:
Episcopal Academy 2-0, 7-0
Malvern Prep 2-0, 6-1
Penn Charter 1-1, 3-4
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 1-1, 3-4
Haverford School 0-2, 3-4
Germantown Academy 0-2, 3-4
Special thanks to Huck Palmer for providing statistics for Penn Charter and Malvern Prep. Also thanks to Zach Zighelboim for Germantown Academy stats, coach Rick Knox for SCH statistics, Mike McNulty for Episcopal Academy stats and Dan Moyer for Haverford School statistics.