Football: New QB Connor Scanlan pitching it well for Haverford School

HAVERFORD — Connor Scanlan spent his first three years at The Haverford School making a name for himself on the baseball field.

He gave up playing football after the eighth grade, but a part of him always regretted the decision. After admiring from afar what the Fords accomplished last fall, going undefeated and winning the Inter-Ac League championship, Scanlan gave the idea some more thought.

Once he committed to Fairfield University, where he will continue his baseball career, Scanlan took the plunge. He was poised to make a comeback on the gridiron. When preseason camp opened in August, there he was on Sabol Field, competing for the starting quarterback position.

He served as the Fords’ backup QB the first three games, then coach Brian Martin gave Scanlan the opportunity to start last week against Garnet Valley. On Saturday, Scanlan made his starting home debut for the Fords. He was nothing short of awesome, completing 13 of 14 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-13 victory over Upper Darby.

Not bad for a kid who decided to be a senior walk-on after going four years without putting on a helmet.

“I knew I couldn’t graduate high school without playing one year of football,” Scanlan said. “My dad (John) is a big football guy, so he was always on my butt about it. So, yeah, I’m very glad I did because these kids greeted me with open arms and they welcomed me like any other kid on the team. I actually knew what I was going to do before I committed and I wanted to get it out of the way just to be safe. I’m very glad I did come back. It’s probably one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Scanlan resembled a seasoned veteran Saturday, slinging the ball with pinpoint accuracy. He connected with six receivers, including a 34-yard pass to Nick Krakovitz to give the Fords (2-3) a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. He threw a sideline pass to Jaidyn Rivera, who darted 68 yards to the end zone five minutes into the second period to put the Fords ahead 28-0. In the third quarter Scanlan hooked up with Jude McClave in the corner of the end zone and Sean Brodnik in the flat for his third and fourth scoring passes.

“We’ve got guys, top to bottom, who can play receiver. It’s sometimes hard getting the ball to everyone because they’re all playmakers,” Scanlan said. “I just want to do everything I can to win and I’ll put my body on my line to make sure we do. It’s all about staying together and today we were able to do that.”

The Fords rebounded from a 29-23 loss at Garnet Valley last week. Saturday’s rout of Upper Darby was exactly what the team needed to feel good about itself going into the bye before the Inter-Ac League schedule begins in two weeks.

Matt Brosko rushed for 91 yards and two scores. Haverford’s defense held the Royals (0-6) to 75 yards of total offense and came away with two interceptions. Among the standouts was sophomore lineman Walt Frazier, who posted two sacks and multiple tackles for loss.

“Defensively, we all knew what we had to do today and we were all on the same wavelength,” Frazier said. “We’re always trying to make sure the other team doesn’t get any time in the backfield. I feel like my job is to hype my teammates and get to the ball and make plays.”

Jaylen Johnson accounted for both Upper Darby touchdowns. He scored on a short run out of the wildcat formation late in the first half and returned a kick 92 yards in the fourth quarter. The Royals will try to get their first win next Friday when they host Radnor.