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RADNOR — Playing its second game in four days did not bother Radnor, especially the defense.
The Raptors pulled out a 14-0 victory in the 126th meeting with Lower Merion in an old-fashioned defensive strugle Monday night at Prevost Field.
It was the 11th straight win for Radnor in this historic rivalry that is said to be the longest-running public school rivalry..
“Tough defense, not a lot of offense, smash-mouth football,” said a smiling Radnor head coach Kyle Yeiter. “Getting a shutout in our rivalry game, getting to watch our players celebrating, what a way to end the season.
“I’m so proud of our players – we had a really tough loss (to West Chester Rustin in the District 1 playoffs) Friday, but with a quick turnaround, we came out Sunday on the lacrosse field and did a walk-through practice.”
Radnor senior running back/defensive back Amir Byrd scored both touchdowns and finished the night with 164 yards rushing.
“Yesterday was rough, we had to come in at 9 a.m. and had little time to prepare,” Bird said. “But we came out and executed tonight and believed in each other.”
Yeiter noted that some of Radnor’s players had to play different positions against Lower Merion.
“Bryce Cohen, who plays corner and free safety for us, ended up playing buck linebacker tonight because Lower Merion is a spread team,” Yeiter said
On Radnor’s first play from scrimmage, Byrd broke free up the left sideline for an 80-yard touchdown run to give the hosts a 7-0 lead just 1:47 into the contest.
“Amir just makes guys miss,” said Yeiter. “Our line blocked it up, Zach Fluck got a nice kick-out, and it was a good call by our offensive coordinator Larry DiSipio.”
“The coach drew up the play and trusted me to give me the ball on the first play,” Byrd added. “Our o-line – those guys are special, they put in the work Monday through Friday. I saw a hole open up, and I was off to the races.”
Toward the end of the first quarter, Radnor penetrated deep into Lower Merion territory, but a Raptor fumble at the LM 7 yard line gave the ball back to the visitors.
Lower Merion, using a series of running plays, drove the ball to midfield but the drive stalled there. An excellent punt pinned the Raptors back at their own 2 yard line, but Radnor kept possession through the end of the second quarter.
Lower Merion started the third quarter with an onside kick, and the Aces’ Orion Armendariz recovered it at the Radnor 49-yard line. LM quarterback Mekhai Smith hit Charlie Coyle for a 34-yard pass completion, and the Aces penetrated all the way to the Raptors’ 9 yard line, but the Radnor defense stiffened.
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Radnor’s Amir Byrd gets a lift from lineman Jack Condran after Byrd scored in the first half against Penncrest earlier in the season. Byrd scored twice Monday as the Raptors blanked Lower Merion, 14-0. (MediaNews Group file).
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