By: Joe Cicchino - Sports Information Assistant

FORT WASHINGTON – Turnovers plagued Germantown Academy’s football team when they opened Inter-Ac League play against The Haverford School on Oct. 13. The Patriots coughed the ball up three times, providing the Fords a short distance to travel for their scores. Ultimately, this proved to be a difference maker in the contest, as the Fords came away with a 38-11 victory.

Led by quarterback Matt Brittingham ’19, things started well for the Patriots offense as they turned a Haverford fumble into three points.  However, that would cover all of GA’s scoring in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the Fords were able to find the endzone twice, on plays of 15 and 60 yards.

“I think they did a really good job scheming me up,” Head Coach Matt Dence said. “I think I got outcoached today. [Haverford’s] Mike Murphy is one of the best coaches in the area. I think we got them the last couple of years and they got us today.”

The Patriots would get some points back, thanks to a nine-yard pass from Brittingham to Jerry Griffen-Batchler ’21. The sophomore wideout would end the day with seven catches for 70 yards and the score. A two-point conversion by Luke Strauss ’20 made the halftime score, 14-11.

In the second half, it was all Haverford. The Fords reeled off 24 unanswered points and intercepted Brittingham twice.

“Near the end of the fourth quarter, to know it’s already decided is a bummer,” Dence said. “For them to pull away the way they did, it’s frustrating. It was a disappointing start to league play.”

Dence said that he will take the heat for the offensive struggles against the Fords. The head coach said that he thought that the players were prepared, but his offensive game plan was “not particularly good.”

The loss to Haverford puts an end to Germantown Academy’s perfect record. It also gives them an 0-1 start to Inter-Ac play. However, the Patriots will be hard at work this week to get things right before their Oct. 20 game against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

“I don’t think I’m going to need to say much,” Dence said. “I think we’re going to have a great week of practice, I think we’re going to try really hard to put a great gameplan together and put a on better showing for our home fans next week. We’re facing another good team.”