O'Hara escapes with ugly win over Haverford School

It might go down as the ugliest victory gained by Danny Algeo in his nine seasons at Cardinal O'Hara.

In the first three quarters against Haverford School on Saturday, O'Hara mostly sputtered on offense, was penalized seven times, missed a 21-yard field-goal attempt, and lost 30 yards on a bad center snap.

Despite the many miscues, the Lions, capitalizing on two late turnovers, left Sabol Field with a 13-12 victory over the host Fords.

"A win is a win, is a win, is a win," Algeo said, addressing his players in a postgame huddle.

"We caught some breaks," he later added. "We're a work in progress."

O'Hara's first score, with 81/2 minutes to play, came gift-wrapped. From the Haverford School 20, Fords quarterback Steve Fitzgerald, dropping way back and searching for a receiver, lost his grip on the ball. It hit the turf and was tipped into the end zone, and linebacker Nolan Cummings pounced on it.

On the ensuing possession, after Christian Giubilato's 46-yard kickoff return set up Haverford School at the O'Hara 45, a solid tackle of tailback Anthony Hill forced a fumble that was recovered by end Nick Lucchetta.

Eight plays later, with 3 minutes, 34 seconds remaining, junior halfback Thaddius Smith found a right-side crease and darted 23 yards for the deciding tally.

The Fords, with Fitzgerald finding wideout Chris Morgan for gains of 16 and 11 yards, reached the O'Hara 45. But on fourth and 6, Fitzgerald's pass across the middle, intended for tight end Matt Galambos, fell incomplete.

"It was an ugly win, but we'll take it," said Lions senior Tarron Dunbar, a halfback and strong safety. "We have to keep working on things. We've got a lot of work to do."

Haverford School (0-2) went in front, 6-0, late in the first quarter on sophomore Phillip Poquie's 74-yard jaunt down the left sideline. Aron Morgan's extra-point try was blocked by J. Kraiza.

Before intermission, Morgan delivered field goals of 26 and 23 yards to make it 12-0. The latter was set up by Fitzgerald's 23-yard toss to Galambos.

In no-huddle mode, Fitzgerald converted 9 of 24 passes for 114 yards. Poquie, who left in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury, netted 98 yards on nine carries.

"We're talking about this thing being a process, and we took a step in the right direction today," Fords coach Mike Murphy said.

The Lions (2-0) totaled 143 yards on the ground. Junior quarterback Dashawn Darden hit on 18 of 27 throws for 142 yards.

Haverford School played without a pair of injured two-way linemen: 6-foot-7, 270-pound senior Sema'j Reed (knee) and 6-3, 280-pound sophomore Tim Aikins (shoulder).

Cardinal O'Hara 0 0 0 13 – 13

Haverford School 6 6 0 0 – 12

HS: Poquie 74 run (kick blocked)

HS: FG Morgan 26

HS: FG Morgan 23

CO: Cummings fumble recovery in end zone (Weyler kick)

CO: Smith 23 run (run failed)