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Pa. high school football preview: Veteran Radnor squad to be challenged by Haverford High

The Raiders are 4-0 overall, 3-0 in the Central League, and averaging 40.8 points per game. They face a stiff challenge against coach Joe Gallagher and the Fords.

Radnor senior running back Matt Cohen has carried 84 times for 605 yards and six touchdowns.
Radnor senior running back Matt Cohen has carried 84 times for 605 yards and six touchdowns.Read moreCourtesy of Radnor High

After going 5-6 last season, Radnor is humming along at 4-0 heading into this weekend's Central League matchup against Haverford High.

"A big part of it is that so many of our seniors played last year," Raiders coach Tom Ryan said. "They got real varsity experience."

Radnor, which is 3-0 in Central League play and has outscored foes by 163-86, visits Haverford (3-1, 2-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at A.G. Cornog Stadium. The Raiders are coming off a 63-21 home romp over Ridley.

"We have 25 seniors that have played together since they started playing youth football at about 9 years old," Ryan said.

The Raiders' Matt Cohen, a 5-foot-6, 160-pound senior, has carried 84 times for 605 yards and six touchdowns.

"He's a good downhill runner, has deceptive speed, and he knows how to run when he gets in the open field," Ryan said.

Cohen has been greatly aided by a stout offensive line that is tutored by Dave Bowen, who shined at Radnor (class of 2011) and went on to be a 6-7, 290-pound tackle at Boston College.

The unit is made up of center Henry Collins, guards Nick Scheri and Archer Darrach, tackles Anthony Laudicina and Lincoln Twedt, and tight end Matt Rosato.

The 6-6, 280-pound Laudicina has committed to play at the University of Buffalo.

Raiders quarterback Sean Mullarkey has completed 37 of 61 passes for 578 yards and eight scores. He spreads the ball among receivers Jahmair Rider, Teddy Girton, Cameron Williams, and Vern Harper.

Radnor's defense features linemen Scheri, Ifeyan Gavin, Aidan Dunn, linebackers Jack Connolly, Taylor Margolis, and Logan O'Sullivan, and cornerbacks Rider and Drew Brown.

The Raiders have another Division I recruit in Lehigh-bound placekicker and punter Dylan Van Dusen. The erstwhile soccer player kicks field goals of 50-52 yards in practice.

Against Haverford, Radnor's defense must keep a close eye on QB Jake Ruane, multipurpose threat Trey Blair, running back Chasen Wint, and receivers Shane Mosley and Kevin DePrince.

Ryan said he thinks Radnor's last Central League title came in 1976. "Our focus right now is on Haverford and nothing else," the coach said. "This senior-laden team knows to only worry about the next opponent."

Pick Six

Friday

No. 19 Upper Dublin (3-0) at Penn Charter (2-1), 4 p.m. The Quakers offense is spurred by running back Edward Saydee and QB Matt Jones. Pick: Upper Dublin, 27-21.

Frankford (1-3) at Northeast (1-1), 6:30 p.m. The Pioneers have a solid ballcarrier in Jordan Price; the Vikings have a running threat in QB Charles Britt. Pick: Northeast, 32-12.

Cardinal O'Hara (2-1) at Archbishop Carroll (2-1), 7 p.m. The Lions and Patriots look to rebound from taut losses to Bishop McDevitt and West Catholic, respectively. Pick: Carroll, 13-7.

Saturday

No. 23 Archbishop Ryan (4-0) at Springside Chestnut Hill (3-0), 1 p.m. Two elite receivers, Ryan's Tyreek Chappell and SCH's Ke'Shawn Williams, showcase their talents. Pick: SCH, 42-35.

No. 11 Conwell-Egan (4-0) at Neumann-Goretti (1-0), 6 p.m. Can Patrick Garwo and the Eagles knock off Tasheem Johnson and the host Saints? Pick: C-E, 28-22.

Radnor (4-0) at Haverford High (3-1), 7 p.m. The Fords' passing game is key in handing the improved Raiders their first loss. Pick: Haverford, 21-19.