Malvern Prep’s defense comes up big against host McDonogh

Malvern Prep’s defense came up big against nationally-ranked McDonogh School (Md.) in a 19-3 win Friday evening, limiting the host Eagles to only two first downs.
“Our defense came up with an amazing performance tonight,” said Malvern Prep head coach Dave Gueriera. “We ground out a big win against a good team under sloppy [wet] conditions.”
A big defensive play gave Malvern (3-0) an early lead, when senior linebacker Keith Maguire, a Clemson University commit, intercepted a McDonogh pass and raced 25 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead that held up through halftime.
McDonogh, ranked among the top 10 high school football teams in Maryland, came back with 2:35 left in the third quarter when Harrison Beattie nailed a 38-yard field goal to cut Malvern’s lead to 7-3.
A couple of big offensive plays in the fourth quarter put the game away for Malvern.
With about eight minutes left, senior Tygee Leach scored on a 75-yard pass play to give the visitors a 13-3 lead.
Then, five minutes later, Malvern senior running back Quincy Watson, a University of Delaware recruit, scored on a 25-yard run to make it 19-3.
While Gueriera said the Friars’ defense was a “team effort” Friday evening, he did single out two players who particularly stood out – senior defensive tackle/nose guard John Turley, who made numerous tackles; and senior linebacker Mike Hussey, who made a key sack late in the fourth quarter.
The Friars, who have outscored their opponents 103-43 in their three victories, will host Berks Catholic Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. Berks Catholic, which like Malvern Prep is ranked among the top high school football teams in Pennsylvania, edged McDonogh School 14-13 at home Sept. 7.