CHA grabs at least share of Inter-Ac crown
By Rick O'Brien As he has done countless times before, Chestnut Hill Academy's Ibraheim Campbell turned a probable negative into a positive. This time, that determination gave the Blue Devils a thrilling 27-21 overtime win against Haverford School Saturday and at least a share of the program's first Inter-Ac League football championship.
On CHA's first play in overtime - following a scoreless effort by the visiting Fords - Campbell was surrounded by three would-be tacklers at about the Haverford 16-yard line, well behind the line of scrimmage. Somehow, he escaped and darted for a 10-yard winning touchdown.
"There was no way I was giving up," the 6-foot, 195-pound senior tailback said. "We worked too hard for this."
Holding off a late charge by Haverford, which scored 21 fourth-quarter points to force an extra session, the Blue Devils improved to 9-0 overall and, with a 4-0 mark in the Inter-Ac, earned sole possession of first place in league. Chestnut Hill can win the crown outright when the Blue Devils visit two-time defending champion Malvern Prep next Saturday (1 p.m.).
CHA returned to the league in 2006 after a 33-year absence. The 2007 squad went 9-0 and 4-0 before losing at Malvern Prep, 21-18, in a heartbreaking finale.
"It's kind of surreal right now," CHA coach Rick Knox said. "But we couldn't be happier. We just got our first piece of a title."
Campbell, a Division I-A recruit who doubles as a cornerback, carried 38 times for 236 yards and all four Chestnut Hill TDs. His scores in regulation covered 4, 15 and 13 yards.
Of his 10-yard burst that set off a homecoming celebration, Knox said, "He should have lost four or five yards right there. That play speaks for itself. He refused to go down there."
The Fords - who scored three times in the final 11 minutes to erase 14-0 and 21-7 deficits - slipped to 7-3 and 3-1. They finish against visiting Episcopal Academy next Saturday (3:30 p.m.) .
For Haverford, senior fullback and Temple recruit Wyatt Benson (seven carries for 44 yards; 11 tackles at linebacker) helped spark a fourth-quarter comeback with a pair of TDs. His second, a 2-yard run with 17 seconds to go, capped a 13-play, 86-yard drive and forced overtime.
Haverford School 0 0 0 21 0 - 21
Chestnut Hill Academy 0 0 14 7 6 - 27
CHA: Campbell 4 run (Connaghan kick)
CHA: Campbell 15 run (Connaghan kick)
HS: Benson 10 pass from Lengel (Morgan kick)
CHA: Campbell 13 run (Connaghan kick)
HS: Walrath 53 pass from Lengel (Morgan kick)
HS: Benson 2 run (Morgan kick)
CHA: Campbell 10 run
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
