Haverford High Wins Memorable Thanksgiving Day Game, 21-16

They lingered a little longer than everyone else. The seniors had to savor it one last time, inhale the moment and fill their lungs with it so this special game on this special day will always be a part of them.

There’s a good chance everyone on Haverford’s football team that participated in the Fords’ dramatic 21-16 Thanksgiving Day victory over arch rival Upper Darby will remember it.

Haverford finished 7-5, winning seven games for the first time since 2007, when the Fords advanced to the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs and went 8-4. A number of Haverford seniors played vital roles, like the game’s offensive MVP, Mike Clancy, who rushed for 70 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown, Dylan Hewitt, who scored twice, and K.C. Luterman, who had 10 tackles, five tackles for minus-30 yards in losses.

But it was junior linebacker Brandon Waller’s sack on the last play of the game, with the ball resting on the Haverford seven and :02 left in the game. Waller came blasting off the right side and took down Nii Kotei Nikoi at the 14.

“It was all about heart and guts,” Fords’ coach Joe Gallagher said. “We were down a few players, and we had guys step up. We did for the seniors, who were a special group. Believe me, finishing 7-5 overall is a lot better than finishing 6-6, and especially the way these guys ended this game.”

Haverford trailed 7-0 and 10-7 in the first half, but the Fords kept charging back. Haverford scored on two-straight possessions, the final drive of the first half and the Fords’ first series of the second half. Clancy bolted his way into the end zone from 10 yards out to give Haverford the lead for good, 14-10, then Hewitt scored on a six-yard run that made it 24-10 with 5:16 left in the third quarter.

Hewitt finished with a team-high 85 yards and sophomore Kevin Leyden finished with an impressive 70 yards rushing on nine carries, all in the second half. Mike Gentile merits special mention, too, for stepping in at quarterback for Eddie Durkin and keeping the Fords competitive. Gentile hurt his right shoulder late in the first half and watched almost the entire second half with his right arm in a sling.

There were many pleased Haverford faces, mixed with some emotion when it was over.

“I didn’t think it would hit me like this,” Luterman said. “I’ll always look back on this time. This was a great group of guys I played with, this game showed how tough we are and how we can come back. Winning the way we did, it’s the only way to go out.”

Offensive lineman Dylan Cullen agreed, saying “There’s a ton to remember from this experience and playing on the same team as these guys. We came into this season stressing family, family. And in the end, we really were a family. We found a way to win, and it is a great way to end a season.”