Malvern’s defense: good. Haverford’s defense: great. Fords’ win Inter-Ac clash

MALVERN >> The defense of Malvern Prep is in the midst of a historic season, but Saturday, in the Homecoming game, Haverford School’s defense ruined the party.

The Fords’ defense dominated from start to finish and set the offense up for a pair of field goals to thwart the Friars, 6-0, in a classic defensive Inter-Ac battle.

Haverford (2-0 league, 7-0 overall) held Malvern (1-1, 6-1) to minus-39 rushing yards and just three total yards and didn’t allow a first down for the game. The Fords forced four turnovers, three coming in the first half that led to the only scoring of the game.

“We knew it was going to be tough moving the ball on (Malvern),” Haverford coach Brian Martin said. “We had to capitalize on any mistakes they make and we did that for the most part. Our defense played lights out.”

On the third play of the game, Haverford’s Ben McCarthy deflected a pass and Sean Dougherty was there to pick it off.

There was little offense on either side in the first half, but Haverford forced Malvern to punt its next two possessions, setting the Fords up with the ball at the Friar 35. The Fords only moved the ball 11 yards, but Ivan Harlamov just got a 40-yard field goal over the crossbar as time expired in the first quarter. 

“Turnovers were the name of the game,” Malvern coach Dave Gueriera said. “Our defense has been unbelievable all year and they stood on their head again today. Unfortunately our offense couldn’t make anything happen.”

On the Friars’ second possession of the second quarter, quarterback Jaxon Melconian was tackled and stripped by Colin Campbell-Williams, setting the Fords up at the Malvern 27. Again, Haverford could only muster one first down and settled for a 28-yard field goal by Harlamov. 

Malvern fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but Haverford could not capitalize after taking over at the Friar 18 and missed a field goal try. The Friars have only allowed 22 points this season and have scored more defensive touchdowns (four) than they’ve allowed (two).

The Friars had only one total yard in the first half, but also held Haverford to just 43. For the game, Fords’ quarterback Gavin Wright completed seven passes for five yards.

“This was a nail-biter,” Martin said. “We have the utmost respect for Malvern. They’re well-coached and physical. It was like looking in the mirror. We play the same style of smash mouth football.”

Haverford nearly made a fatal mistake on its opening drive of the second half, when a punt snap sailed over Harlamov’s head. Without the rush on, Harlamov was able to get a 34-yard punt off, despite backtracking about 20 yards.

From there, the Fords were able to move the ball just enough. Matt Brooks ran for 77 of his 110 yards and Haverford picked up four of its six first downs in the second half.

With under 10 minutes to play in the fourth, Malvern had a fourth-and-one at the Haverford 42, but Andrew Pellicciotta was stuffed on a wildcat run. The Fords went on their longest drive of the game, spanning 32 yards over 12 plays. It resulted in a missed field goal, but erased nearly eight minutes of clock.

“We showed who the better team was,” Haverford senior linebacker Louie Atkinson said. “It doesn’t matter who it’s against, we’re still going to perform.”

Zach Powell picked off a Malvern pass on the Friars’ final drive to ice the game. 

Malvern was without quarterback Skyler Smith, who was lost for the year last week with a leg injury. Ryan Falkenstein, the Friars’ leading receiver, was injured on the second play of the game and did not return.

Haverford is looking for its first Inter-Ac title since 2015, while Malvern needs some help to repeat as champs.

“There’s a lot of season left,” Gueriera said. “There are three games to go, so anything can happen.”

Haverford School 6, Malvern Prep 0

Haverford School   3 3 0 0-6

Malvern Prep   0 0 0 0 – 0

Scoring

First Quarter

HS- Harlamov 40 FG

Second Quarter

HS- Harlamov 28 FG

Team Totals

HS       MP

First downs 7     0

Yards rushing 45-123   19-(-39)

Yards passing  5              42

Total yards      128            3

Passing      7-10-0    6-11-2

Fumbles-lost    1-0           3-2

Punts-avg. 4-38     6-41.8

Penalties-yds 2-14     1-5

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Haverford — M. Brosko 31-110; Wright 6-14; Knox 3-2; Rivera 3-1; team 2-(-4). Malvern — Nash 6-2; Pellicciotta 2-1; C. Smith 6-(-2); Melconian 5-(-40).

Passing: Haverford — Wright 7-10, 5 yards. Malvern — Melconian 6-11, 42 yards.

Receiving: Haverford — Knox 6-6; Getz 1-(-1). Malvern — Lake 2-15; Udo 1-9; Holmes 1-7; Smith-Johnson 1-6; O’Connor 1-5.

Interceptions: Haverford — Dougherty, Powell.