Gritty Haverford knocks off Ridley

If Haverford High's Denis Spaventa has ever experienced a case of the blues, teammate Jack Donaghy hasn't witnessed it. "Whenever I see him in the hallway at school, he's always got a big smile on his face," the senior quarterback said. "He's one of the most upbeat kids I know."

Jack Donaghy, left, of Haverford High scrambles before being brought down for a loss by Seamus Boyle of Ridley in the 2nd quarter on Oct. 30, 2015, in a key Central League football game.Read moreCHARLES FOX / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

by By Rick O'Brien, Inquirer Staff Writer

Published Oct. 30, 2015, 10:42 p.m. ET

If Haverford High's Denis Spaventa has ever experienced a case of the blues, teammate Jack Donaghy hasn't witnessed it.

"Whenever I see him in the hallway at school, he's always got a big smile on his face," the senior quarterback said. "He's one of the most upbeat kids I know."

With the aid of Spaventa's gritty play on both sides of the ball Friday night, the visiting Fords knocked off Central League rival Ridley, 21-13, and left Phil Marion Field with a positive vibe.

"It's an awesome feeling," said Spaventa, a 5-foot-11, 220-pound senior captain who plays center and defensive tackle. "It's never easy to come to this field and get a win. Ridley has one of the winningest teams in the state."

On a fourth down in the late going, with Ridley needing 3 yards to keep alive a drive in Haverford territory, Spaventa dumped quarterback Cade Stratton for a 9-yard loss.

"That was pretty exciting," Spaventa said. "You want to do whatever you can to help the team. And I have to give a lot of credit to the game plan our coaches drew up."

The Fords improved to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in the Central League. Ridley, which desperately needed a win to keep alive its bid for a PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoff berth, slipped to 6-3 and 4-3.

"They had their backs against the wall, and we were able to match their intensity," longtime Haverford coach Joe Gallagher said. "I really liked our toughness."

Spaventa and company limited the hosts to 104 yards rushing on 34 attempts. Malik Young, the Green Raiders' go-to ballcarrier, netted 75 yards on 19 attempts.

Spaventa, of Havertown, was supported on defense by fellow lineman Nick DiIorio (first-quarter sack), outside linebacker/end Billy Farrell, and linebackers Jack Farrell, Luke McCallion, and Mike Romanofsky.

Donaghy converted 16 of 17 throws for 227 yards. His 49-yard pass to Bobby McClure placed Haverford in front, 14-7, in the third quarter.

After Ridley responded with Young's 52-yard touchdown pass to Nadir Forney, Donaghy directed a nine-play scoring drive that was capped by Romanofsky's 7-yard scoring rumble.

Haverford High 0 7 7 7 - 21

Ridley 0 7 6 0 - 13

H: Mike Romanofsky 3 run (Evan Boyce Kick)

R: Tom Reilly 5 pass from Cade Stratton (Jamie Fisher Kick)

H: Bobby McClure 49 pass from Jack Donaghy (Boyce kick)

R: Nadir Forney 52 pass from Malik Young (run failed)

H: Romanofsky 7 run (Boyce kick)

robrien@phillynews.com

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