MALVERN, PA--The Malvern Prep Friars continue to prevail in Inter-Ac League action. A 31-7 rout of The Haverford School Fords at home Friday night kept Malvern undefeated in the league at 3-0.
“It took us awhile to figure out what our flaws were,” said Malvern Prep head coach Dave Gueriera. “Figuring them out picks everything up.”
While Malvern is 3-0 in the league with its eye on placing first for the year, this outcome boosted the Friars overall record to 4-4.
“We had a tough road,” said senior lineman Jack Walker. “It helped us prevail for the Inter-Ac title.”
Game Photos takes by Episcopal Academy Jr. Reporter Alexandra Conroy
Malvern Prep vs. Haverford School - Photos by EA Jr. Reporter Alexandra Conroy
Offense, defense and special teams played a role in securing the win over Haverford.
“Special teams was great,” said Gueriera. “Defense played well. We spread the ball around offensively. It was a good team win.”
Malvern’s Sebastian Constantini kicked the opening kickoff. Haverford’s Logan Keller made it in to Malvern territory before being forced to punt. O’Shaan Allison picked up 51 yards to the 32-yard line on the return.
Quincy Watson made it all the way down to the Fords’ 25-yard line. Quarterback Drew Gunther completed a 22-yard pass to Watson for a touchdown with 6:19 to play in the first quarter.
“Coming out and scoring motivates us to do better,” said Watson.
Late in the quarter, Malvern had the chance to add to its lead. Garrett Reilly kicked a 33-yard field goal and the score was 10-0.
Neither team was able to hang on to the ball for long early in the second quarter. Walker came up with a big stop before his team got the ball back. Isaac White made a fair catch at Malvern’s 32-yard line. A 15-yard penalty against Haverford gave the Friars a first down at their own 49. Keith Maguire gave his team a first down at the Fords’ 39. After another 15-yard penalty against Haverford Allison went in for a touchdown and Reilly followed with the extra point.
Keith Maguire's one handed catch -PSD Photo by Episcopal Academy Jr. Reporter Alexandra Conroy
Keith Maguire's one handed catch - PSD Photo by Episcopal Academy Jr. Reporter Alexandra Conroy
Keith Maguire's touchdown to put the Friars ahead 24-0 at halftime - Video by Dan McCarty
The Friars started their next drive at their 45. Kevin Boyle came through with a first down at the 6. After a loss of one yard, Maguire made an unbelievable one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone on a pass from Gunther with 51.6 until halftime. Reilly’s kick was good once again for a 24-0 advantage.
Malvern extended its lead even more in the third quarter. While an attempted field goal failed, Walker sacked Ben Gerber and it was a fourth down with 22-yards to go for Haverford. After picking up a huge first down at the three-yard line, Watson went for another touchdown with 3:02 remaining in the quarter and Reilly was good for yet another extra point.
“We worked hard together,” said Watson. “Hard work is paying off.”
There was still time for Haverford going in to the fourth quarter. Quarterback Patrick Toal completed a pass to Dan Whaley who then carried the ball 95 yards for a touchdown and Chris Clark kicked the ball which cut the score to 31-7. That turned out to be the game as the rest of regulation just came and went and the clock expired.
“We have good coaches and prepare well every week,” said Walker. “We really come prepared.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, Malvern hits the road to take on Germantown Academy (5-4, 1-2).
“We’re going to have our hands full next week,” said Gueriera.
The Haverford School (1-7, 0-3) hosts Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (5-4, 1-2).