Haverford Runs Past Lower Merion

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

Willie McGonigle | September 28, 2024

ARDMORE: It’s every offensive lineman’s dream to play in a offensive scheme that is ground and pound Brendan Walker, Sean Leahy Alex Klee Quinn McGloin and Emmett Gillespie are living that dream playing for the Haverford High School Fords. On Saturday afternoon a steady mist came down across the Delaware Valley making weather conditions ideal for the Fords. It resulted in the offensive line paving the way for 409 yards rushing in a 49-14 rout of the host Lower Merion Aces. L

“I feel like it’s a testament to how much our coaches trust us they really trust our Oline.” McGloin said while Klee said “We just run the ball Lower Merion wants to throw ball so I feel like the weather was in our favor. We can just run the ball down their throats.”

When asked about the difficulty of playing on a Saturday afternoon compared to the customary Friday nights that the Fords are use to Leahy said “You are a little more awake Friday night but we came out and were ready to play.

The biggest benefactor of the Fords play thus far this season has been Liam Taylor on Saturday he was a workhorse carrying the ball 29 times resulting 329 yards and five touchdowns.

When asked about his offensive line Taylor said “The holes are huge it’s hard not to gain yards with these guys blocking for me, they are moving guys up 5 yards up the field it is great.”

“They are a group of maniacs, they are classic O-line they love to eat they get off the ball. Coach Ryan Grabias and our offensive coordinator Kevin Clancy are awesome they do such a great job getting these guys geared up.” Fords’ Coach Luke Dougherty said adding “We built our culture in the weight room this offseason and Ryan builds that Oline culture every single day by pushing through then Clanc does a great job teaching the offense.”

The Fords need only four plays on their opening possession to start scoring with Taylor bullying his way into the endzone from a yard out that capped a 72-yard drive all on the legs of Taylor.

The Aces tied things up on their second possession of the game when Nick Deluca connected with Chris Cook for a 28-yard touchdown.

Shane Durkan responded for the Fords on their next possession taking a toss and going 9 yards for the touchdown.

In the second quarter, Taylor would score on back-to-back possessions for the Fords covering 45 and 34 yards respectively to make it 28-7. Vincent Cunningham added another score on a option pitch from 62 yards out to make it 35-7 heading into the locker room at half.

Taylor picked up right where he left off in the second half with scoring runs that covered 12 and 48 yards that sandwiched a 12-yard DeLuca run for the Aces.

The Fords improve to 5-1 and face undefeated Springfield Delco next Saturday at home kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews