Haverford School beats Malvern Prep for 3rd straight victory

By defeating Malvern Prep, 14-7, Friday, the Haverford School put itself in position to win the Inter-Ac League outright for the first time since 1971.

Haverford has a 3-0 conference record, but began the season 0-6 in non-league games. The difference between the two streaks has been a focus in practice, senior running back Carl Walrath said.

"When you start the season off 0-6 against a pretty tough schedule, it's hard to gather our team and stay focused," Walrath said. "But in the past 3 weeks against the Inter-Ac, we've been practicing hard and getting at each other in practice. We really prepared ourselves for this game, and it paid off."

Against the Friars, the Fords struggled to find their identity on offense and made some costly penalties. Walrath had 17 carries, but rushed for only 34 yards. Junior quarterback James Chakey, taking over for senior Vincent Garman, finished the game 8-for-15 for 77 yards, including a touchdown pass. Chakey threw an interception on the first drive of the game.

Coming into the game, coach Michael Murphy thought more would be needed from his offense to win.

"To be honest with you, I thought we needed to execute better than we did on offense," Murphy said. "I guess that's why I'm so relieved . . . I'm feeling so proud, because we didn't play well. We played hard and we played tough, but we didn't play great or smart."

Murphy added: "To get a win against a really quality football team when you don't play great is something you usually don't get an opportunity to do. Our defense played amazing."

The Fords scored first when senior fullback Joe McCallion connected with sophomore Matt Galambos on a counter pass in the first half. The Friars responded with a touchdown run by junior running back Paul Finley to tie the game in the first half.

Haverford's defense stepped up in the second half and did not allow Malvern's offense to produce a drive longer than five plays. The defense made up for the offensive struggles, Walrath said.

"Our defense is pretty solid," Walrath said. "I feel like we make plays on defense and, if our offense is slacking, we make even more."

One player who personified the difference in performance on offense and defense might have been Walrath himself. Thought he struggled on offense, he excelled on defense, the 5-11 senior grabbed a crucial interception and recovered a fumble on consecutive drives in the fourth quarter.

"[Walrath] came back today," Murphy said. "After having a great season last year, he's struggled to find his way this year, because teams are keying in on him. He played the way we need him to play."

For the Friars, Finley rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Junior quarterback Thomas Rumer was 5-for-12 for 20 yards and an interception.

Haverford will host Chestnut Hill next week and Episcopal the week after. If the Fords can win both, they will win the Inter-Ac. But the Fords aren't getting ahead of themselves, Murphy said.

"There's still two really tough opponents left," he said. "We have to clean some things up and be a better football team next week [to win]."

"We're basically in the driver's seat in the Inter-Ac," Walrath added. "We're 3-0, but we still have two games left. They're going to be tough ones, but we're in a good position." *