Maloney leads Haverford High to 17-8 win over Ridley

When he was in grade school, Kevin Maloney watched his brother Pat and Haverford High repeatedly come up short on the gridiron against Central League rival Ridley.

"They have such a storied and prestigious program," the senior running back and inside linebacker said of Ridley. "You have to respect what they've done over the years."

Friday night, with Maloney making solid contributions on both sides, the host Fords, buoyed by a strong defensive effort, posted a 17-8 triumph at A.G. Cornog Field. It was their second straight win over the Green Raiders.

The hard-earned victory also boosted the squad's chance to earn a berth in the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Haverford coach Joe Gallagher said a district official informed him Haverford will be the No. 16 seed and play No. 1 Coatesville in first round. The 16-team field will be officially announced Sunday.

Haverford came into the final week of the regular season with a 103.3 playoff-points average, tied for 19th place.

"This game was important because it's Ridley," Maloney said. "And then you add the playoff implications to it, it made it even more important."

Through three quarters, Haverford (7-3, 6-2 Central) limited the Green Raiders (7-3, 6-3) to 98 yards rushing and 46 passing.

"I think we embraced the bend-but-don't-break philosophy," Maloney said. "They had some long drives, but we were able to stop them most times."

In the second quarter, after 6-foot-3, 305-pound lineman Tim Kober blocked a 27-yard field-goal try, Maloney alertly scooped up the ball and returned it to the Ridley 33. Four plays later, Jack Donaghy's 10-yard strike to Dan Boyle produced a 14-0 lead.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Maloney is a captain in football and, as a middle infielder, baseball. Pat Maloney, a linebacker and 2009 graduate, went on to play at Millersville.

"Really good football players come in all sizes," Gallagher said of Kevin Maloney. "He's got good instincts, knows how to make plays when it's needed."

Maloney was aided on defense by fellow linebackers Mike Romanofsky, Mike Chicano, and Jack Farrell. Romanofsky and his brother, Sam, a lineman, each registered two sacks.

Early on, Donaghy, biding time as he scrambled toward the sideline, connected with wideout Nick Costello for a 59-yard score. "He's a big, physical kid with good hands," Maloney said of the 6-5, 205-pound Costello.

Ridley's only tally came with four minutes to play. On a right-side fade, Jake Hoffman found Tre Hinchey for a 5-yard touchdown.

Ridley 0 0 0 8 - 8

Haverford High 7 7 3 0 - 17

H: Nick Costello 59 pass from Jack Donaghy (Evan Boyce kick)

H: Dan Boyle 10 pass from Donaghy (Boyce kick)

H: FG Boyce 29

R: Tre Hinchey 5 pass from Jake Hoffman (Cade Stratton run)