Haverford Celebrates Senior Day Knocks off Previously Undefeated Springfield

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

Willie McGonigle | October 6, 2024

HAVERTOWN: Prior to their Saturday Night showdown with the undefeated Springfield Delco Cougars, Haverford High School hosted their annual Senior Day festivities. The Fords gave their Seniors a reason to celebrate knocking off the Cougars 21-13 at AG Cornog Stadium.

With the Fords clinging to a one-point lead early in the third quarter and facing a critical third and long and, seemingly everyone in the stadium focusing on Fords star running back Liam Taylor the Fords were able to get a huge play to extend their lead to 21-13 when QB Adam Kilpatrick hit a streaking Jimmy Fusaro in stride for a 86-yard touchdown on what was only the Fords passing attempt of the game.

“When we get in third and long, we have to throw the ball and we love these two guys (Kilpatrick and Fusaro” Fords Head Coach Luke Dougherty said adding “The protection was amazing, Adam waited just waited for a second to let it fly and Jimmy just floats right under it, It’s just a beautiful play. Kids made a play when we needed them to.”

Dougherty also added that being up eight one is a big difference especially when you have a team with a kicker like Springfield does.

The Cougars started the scoring on their opening possession of the game marching down 48 yards on six plays with Jackson Kennedy capping the drive with his 23-yard touchdown pass to Chris Dolan.

The Fords responded on their next drive going 81 yards on 8 plays mostly runs by Taylor but it was a 30-yard run by Will Hulea that tied things up at 7.

The Cougars appeared poised to take the lead right back reaching the Fords 7-yard line before Chase Russell came up with an interception of Kennedy on the final play of the first quarter.

The Cougars’ defense did their job following the turnover forcing the Fords to go three and out. On the ensuing Cougars’ drive Kennedy and Dolan connected again this time from 64 yards and after the Fords jumped offsides on the PAT the Cougars elected to go for two but was stuffed by Fords’ defense giving the Cougars 13-7 lead.

But once again the Fords’ offense responded going on a time-consuming 65-yard drive that was capped by Taylor’s two-yard run giving the Fords the slim 14-13 lead. Taylor finished the game with 35 carries for 139 yards.

Just before half the Cougars defense got an outstanding play from Brian Delaney who made a one-handed interception on a Fords trick play.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Cougars were threatening to go in for a score when for the fourth time in the game they turned the ball over when Fusaro read Kennedy’s eyes and intercepted him that led to Fords being able to run out the clock.

With the victory the Fords won their fifth straight game in row and improved 6-1 on the season but there’s no rest for them as they host Ridley Thursday night. The Cougars drop to 6-1 and will look to bounce back this week when they host Radnor on Thursday night. Kickoff for both games is scheduled for 7 pm.

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