Ford tough: Haverford School rolls

Noah Lejman said Thursday afternoon's nonleague game against Roman Catholic was more than just a final tune-up for Inter-Ac League play.

"We're trying to build the Haverford School name in football," the senior tight end and outside linebacker said. "We wanted to prove that we're one of the best teams around."

Lejman and the host Fords did just that, breaking open a close game in the second half and blasting the turnover-prone Cahillites, 41-22, at Haverford's Sabol Field.

Haverford, which came in ranked No. 6 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, racked up 346 rushing yards on 44 attempts in turning back No. 9 Roman. The visitors coughed up the ball six times.

Halfback Phil Poquie was the catalyst, carrying 18 times for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin Carter chipped in 115 yards and a TD on 14 rushes.

"Despite what we've done so far, everyone disrespects us," Poquie said. "We were picked to lose this game. We're not an underdog football team anymore."

Ahead by 17-14 at the break, the Fords (4-1) gained control in the third quarter on Carter's 54-yard touchdown scamper and his second scoring pass to wideout Dox Aitken. Carter completed 8 of 17 throws for 117 yards.

"He's really developing," Lejman said of the junior. "He's a good scrambler, but he's also coming on as a passer."

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Lejman was part of an offensive line that also featured center Connor Atkins, guards Julian Jamgochian and Frank Cresta, and tackles Brian Denoncour and Chauncey Simmons.

Poquie reached the end zone on bursts of 35 and 75 yards. In the first quarter, the speedster's 50-yard tally was wiped out because of a holding penalty.

"Everyone knows he's fast," Lejman said of his future lacrosse teammate at Penn. "But he has a great ability to break tackles. He's really tough."

On defense, Lejman was involved in four tackles and made a fourth-quarter interception. Fellow linebacker Mickey Kober provided major support with two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble in the first half.

Linebackers L.J. Barlow and Chris Sabia also performed well for a unit that thwarted Roman (3-3) twice in the red zone and held tailback Dimetri Kelly to 63 yards on 17 carries.

Roman Catholic 0 14 0 8 - 22

Haverford School 10 7 14 10 - 41

HS: FG Jack Soslow 36

HS: Dox Aitken 17 pass from Kevin Carter (Soslow kick)

RC: Dimetri Kelly 1 run (kick blocked)

HS: Phil Poquie 35 run (Soslow kick)

RC: A.J. Frazier 80 pass from Phil DiWilliams (Kelly run)

HS: Carter 54 run (Soslow kick)

HS: Aitken 21 pass from Carter (Soslow kick)

HS: Poquie 75 run (Soslow kick)

HS: FG Soslow 24

RC: Jordan Williams 58 run (Joe Bristow pass from Williams)