Malvern Prep vs Delaware Military Academy

Malvern erases slow start, blows out Delaware Military Academy and moves to 5-0 to wrap up non-conference play

WILMINGTON, DE -- Malvern wrapped up their non-conference play Friday night with a 31-0 win over Delaware Military Academy.

The Friars were up just 3-0 at the half, though scored four touchdowns in the second half and ran away with the victory.

"I was not happy at halftime -- I thought we left a lot of points on the board, and I think it came down to just not executing," said Friars head coach Dave Gueriera after the teamm's victory. "Things that we would normally execute, we didn't, and it felt like we kind of beat ourselves in the first half. And then in the second half I think we kind of exerted our dominance and played really well."

Malvern missed a field goal late in the first half to keep it a scoreless tie, but Sean Maguire grabbed an interception off of a pass deflected by a lineman -- giving Malvern perfect field position. Jack Ploszay redeemed himself, splitting the uprights to end the first half.

After a first half that included three turnovers on downs and a punt, the Friars then came out of the second half strongly and never looked back.

Yaahdir Nash finished his day with 18 carries for 155 yards and a touchdown, also tallying a reception for 29 yards.

"I think we made the right adjustments at halftime and came out to the second half with a chip on our shoulder," said Nash. "We knew they couldn't hang onto the field with us so once we got that in our minds we understood that, so the score speaks for itself."

Nash credited his line for his strong day.

"All glory to my line. They were doing their thing today," he said. "We've been getting on them a little bit in practice but it's all love of course, and they came out here today, and they were the dominant force for sure -- so I'm proud of them."

It wasn't just Nash on the ground, however. Sophomore Chris Smith had 12 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown -- his first career varsity score -- and quarterback Skyler Smith went just 3-of-8 through the air but had nine rushes for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

"We wanted to establish the run game today as best we could," said Gueriera.

Now 5-0 on the season, the Friars look ahead to Inter-Ac play. They'll face Penn Charter, a team that they haven't lost to since 2006 -- but Gueriera still credits the Quakers for being a strong squad.

"It's a second season," he said. "The non-conference is over, and we kind of have to put that behind us and we have to treat it like we're 0-0. So, we play Penn Charter who is undefeated and is a really good squad."

Nash shared his excitement for conference play as well. Malvern went undefeated in conference play last year, and if they do that this season, it will mean an undefeated year for the Friars -- their first since 2018.

"Excited is an understatement," the tailback said. "I've been waiting for the Inter-Ac for a year, and I know the whole team is excited to get in there and play in a league that we ain't forget that they tried to kick us out a couple of years ago, so we always excited to go up against them."

Quinn Riley '25