Burgess couldn’t have picked a better way to go out for Haverford

Haverford's Justin Burgess scores a touchdown during the first quarter against Upper Darby during the annual Thanksgiving Day game at Haverford High. ERIC HARTLINE – FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP

HAVERFORD — Justin Burgess will always remember the final touchdown of his high school career.

The Haverford High senior wide receiver/defensive back intercepted a pass in the third quarter and sprinted 35 yards to the end zone.

It was Burgess’ second score in the Fords’ eventual 42-18 victory Thursday afternoon. It was Haverford 10th consecutive win against Upper Darby on Thanksgiving. The Fords lead the all-time series, 49-43-6.

“That was actually my first pick-6 in my two years of playing,” Burgess said. “That was a great way to go out.”

Burgess and the Fords seniors gave longtime coach Joe Gallagher a Gatorade shower after the game. The Fords completed a history-making campaign with 11 victories, including the program’s first two wins in the District 1 playoffs. Haverford (11-3) advanced to the semifinal round of the Class 6A tournament.

“This was our biggest week of the season and we all had our energy up for this,” said Burgess, who scored the game’s first touchdown 49 seconds into the first quarter, when he caught a short pass from Trey Blair and sprinted 27 yards to pay dirt.

“We all wanted to go out as one team. If we didn’t win this game, all that preparation would have been for nothing. We wanted to … go out with a bang.”

Thursday marked Rich Gentile’s final game as head coach at Upper Darby. Last December, Upper Darby athletic director Frank Nunan announced the school district would part ways with Gentile following the 2019 season. At the time Nunan noted in an email sent to the Daily Times that Gentile does “not share the same vision of the future of the football program.”

Gentile has been at the helm of the Royals since 1994. It’s anticipated Upper Darby will announce a new head coach as early as next week.

In a classy gesture, Haverford principal Pete Donaghy presented Gentile with a lifetime achievement award plaque in a brief post-game ceremony.

Blair and Upper Darby’s James Tuayemie were selected game MVPs. The incredible Blair, who will play football at the University at Buffalo next fall, set the team record for career rushing yards (2,776). Most of that damage on the ground came during his senior year. He became the eighth player in Delaware County history to eclipse 2,000 yards in a season, as he finished with 2,154 yards.

In the early going Blair was greeted by a stingy Upper Darby defense, but the most electrifying talent in Delco eventually hit his stride and dominated. The all-purpose standout finished with 258 yards on 26 carries with three scoring runs. He went 3-for-8 with 49 yards and a pair of TDs through the air.

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