Corbett, McClure reap the benefits of Air Donaghy

NETHER PROVIDENCE >> High winds, chilly air, and a light rain that flew parallel to the George L. King Field at Strath Haven Middle School proved to be a tough test for the pass-happy Haverford High offense. Or so one would have thought.

Quarterback Jack Donaghy continued his stellar season with four first-half touchdown passes—two each to Matt Corbett and Bobby McClure—as the Fords handled the Panthers 47-20 in a Central League contest that was postponed from Friday.

Asked if the air attack surprised him in the uncooperative weather, Donaghy responded, “Yes and no. Yes, because of the conditions. No, because (head coach Joe Gallagher) calls our plays.”

Gallagher’s gamble paid off as his offense looked good in what could have been a tough night. The Donaghy-led attack ran on all cylinders, producing scoring drives on seven of Haverford’s first eight possessions.

“Jack’s a great quarterback,” said McClure. “Basically, if we do what we’re supposed to do we’re going to make plays.”

Donaghy’s first two strikes to McClure epitomized the potency of the Fords’ passing game.

The first, which opened a 7-0 lead after the extra point, came off a simple slant with Donaghy firing a dart through the stiff wind. Quarterback and receiver improvised on the second. Donaghy danced in the pocket to elude the Haven pressure then dumped off a short pass to McClure. He weaved his way to a 65-yard score.

“I ran a route, which was a fade,” said McClure. “I saw Jack scramble and realized that the cornerback was behind me. I put my foot in the ground, Jack hit me and it was just running from there.”

Corbett’s two touchdown catches and a Mike Romanofsky five-yard run gave Haverford a commanding 35-6 lead at halftime.

Although, it could have been a very different game. Evan Atsaves drove the Panthers 71 yards on 16 plays capped by a Hunter Mazur two-yard rush to make it 7-6 in the first quarter. Donaghy fumbled on the Fords’ next drive to set up Haven deep in Haverford territory. But Atsaves threw incomplete on fourth-and-goal from the seven and the momentum shifted. The Fords ran off 40 unanswered points into the fourth quarter.

Still, there were positives to take away for the win-less Panthers (0-5, 0-3 Central League). They rushed for 264 yards in the loss led by Zach Newlon’s 123. Atsaves scored on a sneak and Mazur added his second touchdown of the night in the fourth to make for a more respectable scoreline.

“I’m really encouraged by our offense,” said Mazur. “Our offensive line blocked great. We actually played really well.”

Donaghy, McClure and Haverford (4-1, 2-0) will face tougher opponents ahead, starting next week when Garnet Valley comes to town. They’re ready for the challenge.

“Our group on offense—we’re very confident,” said McClure, who finished with five catches for 121 yards. “We believe in each other. It’s going to be a great battle between two great teams.”