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Schools

Haverford School Looking To Threepeat In The Inter-Ac

The Fords have a stellar defense that makes them contenders again.

There’s no hiding it. Not anymore. There was a time, not that long ago, when any opposing team would see on the schedule and salivate over the possibility of playing the Fords. Again, not anymore.

Fords’ coach Mike Murphy in recent years has turned Haverford School into a power, and now the Fords are on the brink of doing something inconceivable at the turn of the century—winning three-straight Inter-Academic League titles.

Prior to winning the Inter-Ac title outright last year, the Fords had not held the league crown—alone—since 1971. The Fords broke the streak, partially, in 2009, when they shared the league title with Malvern Prep, the traditional powerhouse that always seems to be atop the Inter-Ac.

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“Our expectations are high again; we have a great group of seniors that have been part of the driving force behind the last few seasons,” Murphy said. “We started 0-6 last year and looked at ourselves and found that we weren’t a bad football team. It’s why we weren’t that surprised at the end to go 5-0 to win the league. We’re going to play another tough non-league schedule again. When I took the job, I said we were going out there to play the best teams around, and it’s how you get ready for this league.”

A large key to the Fords’ success will be the play of senior quarterback James Chakey. He came on to start in the middle of last season and aided the Fords in their strong, five-game finish. Chakey has proven to be a fierce competitor who commands respect from his teammates. Another important part of the Fords is shifty tailback Zack Rego, a member of the national champion Fords’ lacrosse team.

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The bulk of this team—literally and figuratively—will rest on the trio of seniors:

  • Lou Moeller (6-foot-3, 285 pounds, OT/NG)
  • Grant Jamgochian (6-foot-3, 245, DE/OT)
  • Chris DiBello (5-foot-11, 225, LB/C).

They’re large, mobile and mean. More importantly, they’ve won.

Defense will lead this team, as will special teams, with stud kicker Aron Morgan, a Division-I prospect, back. With Morgan, Haverford is a threat to put points on the board anytime the offense gets inside the opponent’s 40-yard line.

“We have kids that have competed at a high, high level and they know what it’s like to compete,” Murphy said. “Malvern Prep has a certain mystique, but to beat Malvern Prep two years ago with a last-second field goal, you have that confidence that begins carrying over. With everything these guys have done the last two years, with the success of the lacrosse team, right now at Haverford School we have a good culture where the team expects to win.”

Haverford School Fact Box

Coach: Mike Murphy (7th season Overall Record 34-39).

Last year: 5-6 Overall; 5-0 Inter-Ac (Inter-Ac Champs)

Key players:

  • Lou Moeller (Sr. 6-3, 285, OT/NG)
  • Grant Jamgochian (Sr. 6-3, 245, DE/OT)
  • Chris DiBello (Sr. 5-11, 225, LB/C)
  • Ethan Brown (Sr. 6-0, 205, SS/FB)
  • Colm Cummins (Sr. 6-0, 215, LB/RB)
  • James Chakey (Sr. 6-1, 185, QB)
  • RaShaan Hollman (Sr. 6-1, 220, SS)
  • Zach Rego (Sr. 5-8, 185, RB/CB)
  • Matt Galambos (Jr. 6-3, 215, LB/TE)

Games to watch:

  • At Cardinal O'Hara 9/10
  • At West Catholic 9/23
  • Chestnut Hill Academy 10/11
  • At Malvern Prep 11/6.

Haverford School Schedule

  • Sept. 3         Pennridge 11 a.m.
  • Sept. 10       at Cardinal O'Hara 11 a.m.
  • Sept. 17       Lawrenceville School (NJ) 2:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 23       at West Catholic 7:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 6          at George Washington 6 p.m.
  • Oct. 15        at Chestnut Hill Academy 2:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 21        Germantown Academy 3:15 p.m.
  • Oct. 29        Penn Charter 1:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 4         at Malvern Prep 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 12       at Episcopal Academy 2:30 p.m.
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