[tps_title]Haverford Fords [/tps_title]
Haverford High School’s Trey Blair during practice. (Pete Bannan – Digital First Media)
Blair will be busier than ever running the Fords
HAVERFORD >> Trey Blair earned All-Delco honors last fall for his multi-purpose abilities.
Whether it’s playing running back, wide receiver, defensive secondary or special teams, Blair can just about do it all.
This season, the University of Buffalo commit is playing a position he hasn’t manned since freshman year. Blair will be Haverford High’s starting quarterback, replacing Jake Ruane, who graduated last spring with the school’s career passing record.
Coach Joe Gallagher could have gone the more traditional route, called upon the next and most varsity ready quarterback in the program to fill Ruane’s shoes. But when you have a talent as special as Blair, it’s hard to resist giving your best player the opportunity to touch the ball on every snap.
“He’s such a good athlete and he has played quarterback before,” Gallagher said. “It’s not like it’s an entirely new position for him because he’s done it for a full season as a ninth grader. He’s done it, and this is the same scheme that we’ve been doing, so there’s nothing that he’s unfamiliar with.”
Haverford football coach Joe Gallagher talks about the wedge blocking tactic during practice on Cornog field.
For Blair, the transition has been smooth as one might expect. He’s got a cannon of an arm, which is a big reason why Gallagher felt comfortable giving him the job. And he is a threat to hold the ball and take it to the house each and every time. Blair will also still see time in the defensive secondary.
“One of my favorite things about football is I can see the game in different ways, whether it’s safety, wide receiver, running back or now at quarterback,” Blair said. “I’ve played quarterback before, so I understand the position a little bit. I know I have a lot of talent around me, it’s not like I’m by myself out there.
“I may make some plays, but I feel like we have a lot of guys here that schools don’t even know about yet who are going to make a lot of plays for us.”
Shane Mosley, who has a verbal commitment with Maryland, will be Blair’s top target in the passing game. Mosley is an outstanding defensive player who is making a move of his own positionally from corner to free safety. Last year he had 30 receptions for 547 yards and six touchdowns.
“Working with Trey has been one of my main focuses,” Mosley said. “We’re looking forward to making plays.”
Haverford High School’s Chasen Wint secures the ball during a ball control drill. (Pete Bannan – Digital First Media)
After a second-place finish in 2018, the Fords are poised to make another run at a title they haven’t won in four years.
Chasen Wint showed flashes of dominance at running back last fall and will carry an even bigger workload this season.
John Cunningham, a senior captain, will anchor an offensive line that will feature four first-year starters.
“It’s a little tough, but it’s good that I have all seniors on the O-line with me,” Cunningham said. “They’re all getting it, they’re all smart kids who are learning the offense really well.”
The foundation of the defensive is set with Blair and Mosley in the secondary and senior Sean Reynolds at outside linebacker. Reynolds was voted the team’s defensive MVP last fall.
“I’m just trying to help the new guys out on defense, getting them to understand what’s going on,” Reynolds said. “Anything I can do to help the defense I will.”
Haverford High School llinebacker Will Higson takes part in a drill during practice. (Pete Bannan – Digital First Media)
Will Higson is back at linebacker, too. Wide receiver/defensive back Justin Burgess led the team in interceptions last fall. Elihu Bey returns on the D-line.
“I feel like we’re a better team than last year, or have a good shot to be,” Cunningham said. “(Gallagher) has put together a really good coaching staff and I feel like we’re developing pretty well. We have young guys and older guys, a nice mix. We feel we can be a really good team.”
Offensive Player to Watch
Trey Blair, Athlete >> The 5-11, 195-pounder could be the most dangerous and versatile player in Delco. The Fords can utilize Blair’s incredible skills in all kinds of ways, which should make Haverford a fun team to watch all year.
Defensive Player to Watch
Shane Mosley, Free Safety>> Switching to free safety, where he will have the chance to roam and make more plays in the open field. He should have another productive season as a wide receiver, too. Next year Mosley will join brother, Jordan, on the Maryland football roster.
By Matt Smith, msmith@21st-centurymedia.com
