Haverford High at No. 19 Springfield: Playoff berths are on the line
Haverford High is on the bubble in its bid to qualify for the PIAA District 1 playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
Haverford High is on the bubble in its bid to qualify for the PIAA District 1 playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
Springfield (Delaware County) is in position to claim its second Central League title in three seasons.
That means there's a plenty at stake when the Fords visit the Cougars at 7 p.m. Friday.
Sixteen of the 33 District 1 Class 6A members qualify for the playoffs. Haverford (6-3 overall, 5-2) is in 16th place, with a 120-point average, heading into the final week of the regular season.
Joe Gallagher's squad has been in this position before. Two years ago, with a 17-8 home triumph over Ridley in Week 10, the Fords seized the final berth in the playoffs.
But Gallagher, whose squad gained top Central League honors last season for the first time since 1995, downplays the district-playoff talk against Springfield.
"Our main focus is that it's a Central League game, and we're playing a team that is in first place in our league," he said. "We concentrate on our league more than anything."
Springfield (8-1, 7-1) shares first place in the league with Marple Newtown (8-1, 7-1) and Ridley (8-1, 7-1). The Cougars, with a 171.1-point average, are also looking to hold off Academy Park (170) and Marple Newtown (161.1) and secure the top seed in the 16-team District 1 Class 5A playoffs.
Haverford's offense is sparked by quarterback Jake Ruane, halfback Mike Romanofsky, handyman Kareem Bernard, slot receiver Chris Trainor, and wideout Jordan Mosley.
Ruane, a sophomore, has completed 116 of 194 passes for 1,057 yards and nine touchdowns. "If he's doing all this as a sophomore, he's going to be tough to go against the next two years," Springfield coach Chris Britton said.
Mosley, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior who transferred from Bonner-Prendergast, has 30 catches for 584 yards and six scores.
Said Gallagher, "If he's not the most talented player in the league, he's right there. He's explosive, fast, and a fierce competitor."
The Cougars, who are looking to rebound from last week's 24-21 loss to Garnet Valley, are propelled by quarterback Johnny Fanelli, halfback Ja'Den McKenzie, and receiver Joe Kennedy.
Fanelli has hit on 71 of 131 throws for 938 yards and 11 TDs; McKenzie has carried 132 times for 758 yards and seven scores; and Kennedy has 32 receptions for 476 yards and six tallies.
Of the 6-1, 190-pound McKenzie, a rising junior who was a junior varsity player last season, Gallagher said, "He's got a good combination of size and speed."
The Game at a Glance
Last meeting: The visiting Cougars topped the Fords, 21-17, in 2014.
Mainstays: Haverford's 4-4 defense is led by tackle Nick DiIorio, inside linebackers Jack Farrell and Mike Romanofsky, and outside linebacker Jordan Mosley.
Do-everything type: Springfield's Joe Kennedy is a wide receiver, cornerback and kick returner. He has made four interceptions.
Recruit: Mosley, also a wide receiver, has drawn recruiting interest from Maryland, Syracuse, and Temple.
In the trenches: The Cougars' multiple-I offense is led up front by center Justin Shields, guard Derek Strain, and tackle Daniel Gluck.
Two-way force: In addition to being a solid linebacker, Jack Farrell is a hard-working right guard in the Fords' single-back/spread offense.
Pick: Haverford, 23-14.
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