Haverford H.S. Runs Over Radnor 42-7

It wasn’t so much that beat Radnor 42-7 in a Central League game Friday night—it’s the way the Fords won for the third-straight time since the return of junior quarterback Eddie Durkin.

The Fords were efficient, crisp, errorless, and above everything else, played with a greater energy than they’ve played this season. The team the Fords expected to be prior to this looked every bit of it against under-manned and depleted Radnor.

The victory gives the Fords a 4-3 overall record and a 3-2 league mark, while Radnor fell to 0-7 and 0-5 in the league. With Marple Newtown, Garnet Valley and Conestoga left on the schedule, Haverford faces a tough task if the Fords plan on earning a berth in the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs.

But beating Octorara and now Radnor without turning the ball, led by Durkin, makes the Fords a dangerous team the rest of the way.

“It’s the only thing we want—to make the district playoffs, it’s why the seniors are playing every game like it’s a championship game the rest of the season,” said Haverford senior nose tackle K.C. Luterman, who had an exceptional game against Radnor with a sack and a fumble recovery. “Every senior on this team knows our next game could be our last, and I think with Durkin back, that has raised the intensity that much more. We’re certainly playing with a lot more confidence.”

The Fords should be.

Durkin completed 10 of 11 passes for 182 yards and four touchdowns. Six different players scored for the Fords, who amassed 215 yards and were leading 35-7 by halftime. Radnor, which was playing without star tailback Tajae Bryant and defensive back Brice Sydnor, both out with injuries, received its initial first down on a Haverford penalty and didn’t cross midfield until late in the first quarter.

By then, Haverford led 21-0 on a Durkin one-yard touchdown plunge, nine-yard touchdown toss from Durkin to Mike Gentile and Mike Clancy’s 45-yard interception return.

“I’m proud of the effort the kids gave, but we made too many mistakes against a very good football team,” Radnor coach Tom Ryan said. “Durkin makes them tough to beat. He’s a running and passing talent.”

Durkin’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Sydnor sealed the victory and put the game into mercy-rule mode, giving the Fords a 42-7 lead in the third quarter. The remainder of the game was played with a running clock.

“We had six different people score, and that’s the thing,” said the Fords’ Dylan Hewitt, who turned a short Durkin pass into a 48-yard touchdown late in the first half. “We know we can’t lose, and the way we’re playing now, we’re going to be a very competitive team against Marple, Conestoga and Garnet Valley. We’re playing the way we expected to play in the beginning of the season.”