Haverford School beats Penn Charter, 21-20, in OT
As has become their custom, Haverford School and host Penn Charter treated onlookers to a thrilling contest that required extra time - and extra points - to determine a victor.
As has become their custom, Haverford School and host Penn Charter treated onlookers to a thrilling contest that required extra time - and extra points - to determine a victor.
With darkness creeping in Friday evening, almost every eyeball was on Penn Charter's extra-point attempt in overtime as the Quakers tried to extend the game against the three-time defending Inter-Ac champion Fords.
Not every peeper, however, was locked on the football.
"I wasn't even looking at the play," said Haverford School senior Malik Twyman. "I was praying."
The Quakers lined up to kick the extra point but failed to complete a sneaky shovel pass from the holder to an inside receiver.
With its 21-20 victory secured on the opening day of league play, the Haverford School sideline erupted.
"Everybody started screaming, and I was just hoping it was our fans," Twyman said.
Senior offensive lineman Peter Solomon didn't watch much either, but he did catch a glimpse at just the right time.
"I tried to watch it, but I was praying," he said. "I looked up and saw the ball on the ground. . . . It was just the best feeling in the world. Really well-fought game by both teams."
Last season, Haverford School outdueled host Penn Charter, 41-40, in triple-overtime after the Fords blocked a Quakers extra-point attempt and then converted their own after a touchdown.
"We can't seem to beat this team without going to overtime," Solomon said of his Fords (5-1, 1-0), who haven't lost a league game since 2013.
Later, Solomon added: "They played a hell of a game. That was one of the best games I've ever played against that team."
Respect was certainly due to each side.
The Fords led 7-0 at intermission but fell behind 14-7 with 1 minute, 54 seconds remaining after Edward Saydee scored for the Quakers.
Haverford quarterback Tommy Toal responded with a 12-yard scoring pass to Conner Mosebrook with just 19.7 seconds left in regulation.
Twyman finished with 117 yards and a rushing touchdown on 21 carries. He also added 57 yards, four catches and a score in the air.
The Colgate recruit's receiving touchdown came on the first play of overtime, an eight-yard pass from Toal.
Toal finished with two passing touchdowns and 194 yards on a 14-of-25 passing. His counterpart, Mike Hnatkowski, threw for 153 yards and two scores on 15-of-27 passing. Saydee supplied 106 rushing yards on 27 carries for the Quakers (4-1, 0-1).
Hnatkowski hit Chris Tucker for a three-yard score on fourth-and-goal in overtime before the Quakers failed to snooker the Fords on the fake extra point.
Defensively, Luke Stansfield was stout for the Quakers. Aaron Hudson nabbed an interception for the Fords as a defensive back. Hudson also added 90 receiving yards on six catches.
The Quakers travel to Springside Chestnut Hill next week. The Fords will host Malvern Prep.
Haverford School 0 7 0 7 7 - 21
Penn Charter 0 0 7 7 6 - 20
HS: Malik Twyman 10 run (Chase McCollum kick)
PC: Terence Thompson 3 pass from Mike Hnatkowsky (Adam Kuper kick)
PC: Saydee 3 run (Kuper kick)
HS: Conner Mosebrook 12 pass from Tommy Toal (McCollum kick)
HS: Twyman 10 pass from Toal (McCollum kick)
PC: Chris Tucker 3 pass from Hnatkowsky (pass failed)
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