Mullarkey savors bragging rights in Radnor-Lower Merion rivalry

RADNOR >> Minutes after Radnor’s 38-25 win in the 121st edition of its rivalry with Lower Merion Monday night, Raiders quarterback Sean Mullarkey reflected on his part in a tradition that spans more than a century.

“It’s an honor just playing in this game — 121 years is a long time,” said Mullarkey, who threw three touchdown passes Monday night. “I’ve been coming to these games as a fan for years. When I was a youngster, I came here with my dad (Tom), who played for Lower Merion in the late 1970s. He was at tonight’s game and just congratulated me a few minutes ago.”

Junior running back Jahmair Rider, who scored three touchdowns Monday, was also ready to share in the celebrations.

“It’s a great honor to play in this game – for 121 years they’ve been at it,” Rider said. “Sean threw me some great passes tonight, and I’m just happy that the coaches had faith in me, that they stuck with me this whole season.”

Just three days earlier, Rider caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from Mullarkey in a 27-21 first-round district playoff loss to No. 5 seed Upper Dublin. That hard-fought defeat was a tough one for 12th-seeded Radnor (6-6, 4-5) to swallow, but Monday night’s victory against Lower Merion allowed the Raiders to finish on a high note. Radnor struggled in the first half Monday night, committing eight penalties for 70 yards and losing two fumbles. At halftime, the Raiders were hanging on to a 10-6 lead.

“We had a lot of penalties and mistakes in the first half tonight, which I attribute to playing two games in four days,” Radnor coach Tom Ryan said. “We really came together in the second half, though — Jahmair Rider had a good game, Sean Mullarkey did well and stayed in the pocket, Matt Cohen and Taylor Margolis ran well, and our offensive line played well tonight.”

Radnor’s strong offensive line featured seniors Pat Lofton, George May and Brendan Crowe, juniors Henry Collins and Anthony Laudicina and junior tight end Ryan Bernicker. The first half was more defense-oriented, including three interceptions. The first interception, by Radnor cornerback Teddy Girton, set up the first score of the game, a 37-yard field goal by Dylan Van Dusen with 4:55 left in the first quarter.

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PETE BANNAN-DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Radnor quaterback Sean Mullarkey and receiver (7) Jahmair Rider celebrate their 29 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against Lower Merion at Prevost field. They connected for another touchdown in the second half.