PHILADELPHIA – Offense, offense, and more offense.
Such was the theme of the entertaining Inter-Academic League battle between Malvern Prep and host Penn Charter November 5. Malvern emerged with a 35-28 comeback victory aided mostly by the legs of senior Zac Fernandez and the yeomanly efforts of a mega-strong offensive line.
The Friars assured themselves of at least a tie for the league title should they defeat Springside-Chestnut Hill on Saturday afternoon. A win and a Germantown Academy loss to Penn Charter would give the Friars the outright title.
“It was an absolute must win for us,” said Fernandez. “We treated this game as a championship game, and I think Penn Charter did as well. I’m so proud of my guys for the way they played.”
Many of the final numbers were staggering. Fernandez carried the ball 36 times – yes, you read that correctly – for 326 yards – yes, you read that correctly as well. He also scored four touchdowns and has now scored seven in the past two weeks. Fernandez also caught two passes for 29 yards.
“I gotta give the credit to my (offensive) line,” said Fernandez, referring to seniors Jake Glavin, Sean Grady, and Justin Titchenell, junior Joe Basiura, and sophomore Jake Hornibrook. “They were doing a great job in the trenches all game moving the line of scrimmage. It was awesome. Our defense had some key stops there to put our offense in good positions.”
Malvern sophomore quarterback Drew Gunther posted an efficient stat line of 13 for 23 passing for 112 yards and a touchdown pass to classmate Quincy Watson, who caught five passes for 40 yards. For Penn Charter, senior quarterback Mike Hnatkowsky was outstanding, completing 25 of 42 throws for 316 yards and two touchdowns, one of them to senior Chris Tucker (10 catches for 15 yards). Sophomore running back Ed Saydee rushed for 118 yards and scored two touchdowns on 13 carries and added four catches for 67 yards.
Zac Fernandez runs 44-yds for the winning TD in the 4th QTR in Malvern's 35-28 win vs. PC
Zac Fernandez talks about his great performance and his team's huge victory
The Friars’ defense endured a difficult stretch in the second half. With Malvern leading, 21-7, at the half, Penn Charter (6-2 overall, 2-2 in league) scored three straight touchdowns, including a magnificent 67-yard TD pass from Hnatkowski to a streaking Tucker motoring down the sideline. When Saydee answered that long haul with one of his own – a 66-yard gallop – the Quakers’ faithful erupted.
Back came Malvern (6-2, 3-1). A two-yard run by Fernandez tied the game, and on a third and three at the Charter 44, Fernandez took a handoff, squeezed through the line, and burst loose for a game-winning sprint with 3:47 left in regulation. Fernandez celebrated in the end zone by briefly jumping into the arms of senior Matt Daller.
“That was a gut check,” Fernandez said of his team’s comeback and third straight victory after dropping a potentially shattering 37-34 decision to Episcopal. “The seniors stepped up and knew what we had to do. We are a really resilient team.
“We’re a really close-knit team. We’re a family. A test of a really good team is how close you are in crunch time and how you’re gonna stick together.”
The Friars stuck together just fine. One more win and a favorable result a few towns over, and Malvern Prep would be outright Inter-Ac champions. But that all depends on how Penn Charter plays next week at Germantown Academy.
Malvern vs. Penn Charter
The Quakers are now forced to play spoiler in their final game. Then again, miraculously, should Penn Charter and Springside-Chestnut Hill both win, then Malvern, Penn Charter, Germantown Academy, and the winner of the Episcopal-Haverford School contest would finish in an unprecedented four-way tie for first with a 3-2 league record.
Hnatkowsky said the Quakers are determined to ruin GA’s championship pursuits.
“We will come out and play,” said Hnatkowsky. “We will give our best. That’s what we are focusing on. We said so after the game. Today was a disappointing loss. We were in good shape in the fourth quarter but Malvern scored and we weren’t able to answer.”
During the final minutes, Hnatkowsky could be seen pacing the sideline hoping against hope to receive one more opportunity to take the Quakers down for a tying score. Malvern, however, meticulously ran out the remaining minutes.
“Frustrating,” said Hnatkowsky. “I wish we had one more chance.”
That has been a consistent motto in what has been a riveting Inter-Academic League campaign, one that ends in a few days.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)