Martin, Haverford School get first win over SCHA

The Haverford School’s 13-3 decision over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Saturday afternoon at Sabol Field gave Brian Martin his first win as head coach.

Martin was previously the associate head coach at Haverford School, where he had spent nearly two decades as the team’s defensive coordinator. He became head coach in January after Mike Murphy retired from the position to put his full focus into the role of athletic director at the school.

Coming off a bye, the Fords (1-1) won their first contest in more than a year after losing their 2020 season opener to Germantown Academy on Oct. 31.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Fords fired the opening salvo when Mekhi Ajose-Williamson took a handoff and rumbled across the goal line from three yards out. SCHA kicker Ryan Hennessy drilled a 36-yard field goal to cut the Haverford lead to 6-3 with 4:42 left in the first half.

The score remained 6-3 until the fourth quarter. Jahmon Silver ripped off a big gain to put the Fords at the SCHA 25-yard line with nine minutes to go. Several plays later, Silver botched a handoff and fumbled the ball into the end zone. Luckily, the junior running back recovered the loose ball for the touchdown to put the Fords ahead by two scores with 5:45 to play.

Haverford School travels to Episcopal Academy (1-1) next Saturday. The Fords haven’t beaten their Inter-Ac League arch-rival since the 2016 season.