Haverford High Counting On Big Season

This was the target season a few years back, when  coach Joe Gallagher sprinkled a bunch of sophomores into his starting lineup and told them to grow. They have.

There is a special sense the Fords have this season, a feeling that they have a chance to win the Central League title and make the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs for the second time in school history, and first time since 2007.

The Fords return a lot of talent in key positions, but Gallagher is pushing the positive thoughts, though he doesn’t want his team to get too ahead of itself. It’s a team that won four of its last five games in 2010 and is primed to win more this year.

“We’re thinking good things, last year was okay, we finished really well and we closed by shutting out Upper Darby,” Gallagher said. “That was big for us. The attitude has been good, very good. That showed in how hard we worked in the off-season. The kids are confident. We could win eight games, and possibly do what the 2007 team did. But I have to remind you, we haven’t won anything yet. We still have to play and stay healthy, and see how things go.”

The Fords will enter this season with a slight dilemma. Junior quarterback Ed Durkin showed great improvement by the end of the season. But Durkin broke his right hand this summer and is out indefinitely to begin the season. It doesn’t begin very easily, either, with the Fords traveling to Council Rock North and then to Central League and area powerhouse Ridley.

“We’re going to be a physical team, a lot of these kids saw playing time as sophomores and they’re ready to show what they can do,” Gallagher said. “We haven’t been that great and we always play hard. These guys have been waiting for this year. They want to see the preparation pay off. They’re ready to step it up and show what they can do. We’re excited.”

Running back Michael Clancy will carry the load offensively and spell Durkin while he heals. The offensive and defensive lines will be anchored by 6-foot-2, 230-pound Dylan Cullen. Seniors Mike Gentile and Brendan McKain will be counted on to add some speed.

These seniors have been waiting two years for this season. Now it’s their chance to prove what they can do.

Haverford High School Fact Box

Coach: Joe Gallagher

Last year: 5-6.

Key players:

• Ed Durkin (Jr. 6-1, 180, QB)
• Michael Clancy (Sr. 6-1, 185, RB/LB)
• Mike Gentile (Sr. 6-1, 175, DB/WR)
• Dylan Cullen (Sr. 6-2, 230, OL/DL)
• Brendan McKain (Sr. 5-11, 165, DB/WR)
• Dan Young (Sr. 5-9, 160, DE).

Games to watch:

• At Ridley 9/3
• Lower Merion 9/16
• At Conestoga 10/28
• Garnet Valley 11/4
• Upper Darby 11/24.

Haverford High School Schedule

• Sept. 3         at Council Rock North 1:30 p.m.
• Sept. 9         at Ridley 7 p.m.
• Sept. 16       Lower Merion 7 p.m.
• Sept. 23       Springfield 7 p.m.
• Sept. 30       at Penncrest 7 p.m.
• Oct. 6          at Octorara Area 7 p.m.
• Oct. 14        Radnor 7 p.m.
• Oct. 21        at Marple-Newtown 7 p.m.
• Oct. 28        at Conestoga 7 p.m.
• Nov. 4         Garnet Valley 7 p.m.
• Nov. 18       Sun Valley 7 p.m.
• Nov. 24       Upper Darby 10:45 a.m.