It might have seemed like an ordinary high school football game at A.G. Cornog Stadium in Havertown, Pennsylvania, on Friday, October 17, 2025, but this wasn’t just any game. It was Haverford vs. Radnor, and more importantly, the annual Fight for Life Game, one of the most meaningful events Haverford High School hosts each year.
The Fight for Life Game brings the entire Haverford Township community together to honor individuals who are currently battling illnesses or disabilities or those who have bravely fought them in the past. Each year, Haverford’s varsity football players wear special jerseys for the game, which they later present to their honorees in a postgame ceremony. After the final whistle, players walk across the field hand-in-hand with the people they’re honoring and gift their jerseys in a moving display of support and gratitude.
This year’s honorees ranged from beloved community members who lost their lives to family members still courageously fighting. Each story shared during the ceremony reflected courage, compassion, and the close-knit nature of the Haverford community.
Former Haverford High School Assistant Principal Heather Pinero was honored by seniors Peter Maneras and Nils McCallion in remembrance of her late son. “We’re here to represent you, Ms. Pinero,” Maneras said. “Her son was on a waitlist for a transplant. He never got it and died. The money goes to a good cause, so we’re just happy to support,” McCallion added.
Another former Haverford staff member was honored by Owen Julien. “I’m honoring former Haverford Middle School Library assistant Donna Sullivan because she was kind to every student she met and a faithful supporter of the Haverford Middle School staff,” Julien said.
“I’m honoring my grandfather because he’s always been there for me. He’s always helped me out when I needed him the most and he’s always had the best stories,” sophomore Finn Wallace said. “I’m honoring Janice Gardner because she died of lung cancer five years ago,” sophomore Max Harman said.
The money raised goes to the Kevin Cain Memorial Foundation. Kevin Cain himself was honored by some players. “We’re here to show our appreciation towards him tonight,” Isaiah Ekpo said.
Haverford senior Shane Durkan was also honored during the ceremony. While Shane didn’t have a life-threatening illness, he suffered a leg injury back on September 5 in a game against Penncrest. He would later be ruled out for the rest of the season because of this injury.
Haverford started the season on cruise control with a 5–1 start but then lost two straight coming into this game, giving them a 3–3 record in Central League play and a 5–3 overall record.
Radnor, however, was on a worse streak. They lost five straight games coming into this one. Radnor is coming in with a 2-5 record in Central League play, and 2-6 is their overall record. Both teams were hungry for redemption in this year’s Fight for Life matchup.
With six minutes left in the first quarter, running back Liam Taylor scored his first of three rushing touchdowns for Haverford. “I just kept my head down, kept pushing forward, and kept getting more yards,” Taylor said. His other two touchdowns came in the fourth quarter, sealing Haverford’s win.
Later in the first quarter, Haverford defensive back Bobby Manear intercepted a Radnor pass and returned it for a touchdown. “I had a feeling he was going to run the out route,” Manear said. “When I got it in my hands I knew I was taking it back.
Radnor got a first-and-goal on the Haverford 3-yard line, but the Fords made four big goal-line stops on defense and took the ball over on downs. “Our defense does a good job of tackling with their backs up against the wall,” Coach Doc said.
Right before halftime, Adam Kilpatrick found Peter Maneras for a 28-yard touchdown pass. “I dropped back. I was initially looking deep, and I saw someone broke through the line. I scrambled right, and I just found Pete spreading across the middle,” Kilpatrick said. “I hit him. He ran it in for a touchdown.”
In the final minute, Haverford recovered a fumble to secure a commanding 35–0 victory. “We just trust what we do. We played two really good teams. We were in both of those games in the 4th quarter. We just couldn’t pull them out,” Doc said. “We just regrouped, got back to what we did and then that’s the result tonight.”
Beyond the scoreboard, the night was a reminder of what truly matters: community, compassion, and fighting for life together.
