Haverford School can’t sustain super start, falls hard to La Salle

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HAVERFORD — The first half could not have gone any better for The Haverford School. The second half was worth forgetting.

At times, it seemed as though the Fords could identify.

Haverford School’s defensive line got little push up front and its offense could not maintain its torrid pace from the opening 24 minutes Saturday, as La Salle overwhelmed the Fords, 48-27, at Sabol Field.

The Fords (1-2) scored the game’s first 10 points and, at moments, looked as poised and talented as their Montgomery County counterparts. In the end, La Salle (4-0) gashed Haverford School for 523 yards of total offense, including 377 yards on the ground—and four plays of at least 50 yards.

“Too many big plays on busts,” Haverford School coach Mike Murphy said. “I don’t know that we blocked too many of their defensive lineman or hit any of their offensive linemen all day, to be honest.”

La Salle sophomore Sam Brown continued the absurdly productive opening of his season with four touchdowns, bringing his season total to 12. He scored on runs of 74, 58, and seven yards, and found the end zone on a 77-yard connection with quarterback Jack Machita. Up front, the Explorers benefited greatly from significant push on the offensive line.

“It makes it a lot easier when I see the holes they’re making for me,” said Brown, a native of Philadelphia’s Mount Airy section. “I saw a lot of openings inside and off tackle. We practice that a lot and it paid off.”

Haverford School broke through early, cashing in after its defense forced a pair of turnovers.

Geordy Holmes’ interception of Machita set up Chris Clark’s booming 48-yard field goal—the first of two field goals from at least 40 yards out. La Salle’s next possession also ended in a turnover. Fords linebacker Bill Brosko sacked Machita and stripped the ball in the process. Defensive end Isaiah Boyd recovered the ball and returned it 34 yards for a score.

Just like that, the Fords led the Explorers, 10-0, only six minutes into the game.

“We came out excited, ready to play at a high level,” Murphy said. “There’s enough talent on this field to win games like this. We showed it in the first half. We didn’t finish.”

Not to be outdone, Brown had some tricks up his sleeve.

The running back burst through the left side of his offensive line and into green space. Once beyond the line of scrimmage, Brown could not be caught, en route to a 74-yard scoring run. La Salle’s next possession led to another electrifying scoring play from Brown, who turned a routine 10-yard slant from the slot position into a 77-yard touchdown connection with Machita.

At halftime, La Salle led Haverford School, 21-20. The Explorers weren’t content with their one-point lead.

“(The Fords) played great. They have a great tradition and they showed what they’re about,” La Salle lineman Ryan Mills said. “We didn’t show up. That’s what we talked about at halftime.”

After intermission, La Salle scored the next 20 points to ice the game.

Haverford School got 97 yards and a rushing touchdown from running back Mekhi Ajose-Williamson. The rest of the Fords’ running attack combined for 17 yards on 10 carries. If not for Ajose-Williamson’s 54-yard scoring run in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, the Fords faced a second-half shutout after such a promising start.

“It’s unfortunate some of the scores have turned out the way they have,” Murphy said. “It’s not indicative of the team we have. When we get late in the game, we get worn down. We couldn’t get it done.”

Christopher A. Vito

christopheravito

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