UPPER DARBY — Liam Taylor has never taken shortcuts, so it was fitting that the run that made him Delco’s all-time rushing king required some serious work.
The Haverford High senior came into Thanksgiving needing 79 yards to break Delaware County’s career rushing record, which had stood for 25 years in the hands of Cardinal O’Hara great and former NFL running back Kevin Jones. Those 79 yards did not come easy against a determined Upper Darby defense.
Taylor did not rip off one of his signature downhill bursts, dragging defenders with him. That was fine by him. He still made history. Again.
In the third quarter of Thursday’s 10-7 Haverford win, Taylor took a handoff and powered six yards up the middle on his 21st carry of the day, cementing himself atop the Delco record books.
Haverford defenders Chris Klein, left, and Peter Manaras celebrate after holding Upper Darby on the final play of a 10-7 win on Thanksgiving. (PETE BANNAN/MediaNews Group)
“It was not easy. I knew it was going to be a dog fight,” Taylor said. “It was 10-7. I knew it wasn’t going to be a blowout, but we got it done. It’s a record for the whole team to share. It’s not just my record. It’s a great feeling.”
Last season, Taylor became the only player in county history to rush for 3,000 yards in a year. This season he closed out his career by breaking the career mark. The 2024 Daily Times Player of the Year ends his career with 5,842 yards.
The moment was a little more emotional, knowing it would be the last time he ever put on a helmet.
He has drawn interest from plenty of college coaches hoping to land a smart, talented and gutsy leader. But Taylor has decided his football days are done. He hopes to attend Georgia, his father Eric’s alma mater, and expects to know his final decision in December.
“I’m happy to do it,” Taylor said when asked about taking off his helmet for the final time. “On a good note like that? I’m happy to do it.”
Taylor leaves with memories that will stick for a lifetime. The Fords won 19 games over the last two years, claimed a District 1 Class 6A playoff victory last season and won the Central League championship in 2024. And for the second straight Thanksgiving, Taylor helped Haverford beat its rival in a series that started in 1921.
“Honestly, it’s the camaraderie that I’ll miss,” he said. “I love playing with my friends, with my teammates. These are memories that you make, and you’ll never forget them for the rest of your life. I’m glad to do it with the guys I did it with.”
Taylor finished with 130 yards on 33 carries. He did not score Thursday, but his constant pounding set up both Haverford scores. On the drive where he set the record, he helped push the ball to the Upper Darby 17 before the series stalled. Junior kicker Bobby Menear drilled a 35-yard field goal into a steady wind to put the Fords up 10-7 with 11:53 remaining.
As usual, Taylor barely left the field. He was a force at running back and linebacker, only coming off once when his helmet popped off and the rules required a one-play respite.
Haverford quarterback Adam Kilpatrick, center, scores against Upper Darby on Thursday in a 10-7 win. (PETE BANNAN/MediaNews Group)
“They’re a physical team. Big, strong, and fast,” Taylor said of Upper Darby. “But we played our game and we got it done.”
Coach Luke Dougherty handed him the game ball during the postgame celebration. Taylor earned offensive MVP honors, while Upper Darby linebacker A’Zeem Spicer took defensive MVP after having to tackle Taylor more than anyone would want to.
“Our kids are relentless,” Dougherty said. “They deserve everything, with the effort they put in today. I’m proud that our kids got through in the end.”
Upper Darby struck first late in the opening quarter when quarterback Safiy Salley hit Shyyon Branch on a short screen and Branch sprinted to the Haverford 7. Salley scored from seven yards out for a 7-0 Royals lead.
Haverford answered with a 15-play, 74-yard march. Taylor moved the chains several times, converting three first downs. Peter Manaras added an 11-yard run on an end-around. Taylor then scampered 11 yards to get the Fords inside the 20. Moments later, quarterback Adam Kilpatrick scrambled in from four yards out to tie it before halftime.
The Fords finished with an 8-4 record. The Royals ended the season 3-8.
Haverford senior Shane Durkan, who has missed most of the season with a bad knee injury, came back Thursday and was able to contribute. He broke off a 17-yard run in the second quarter.
Taylor goes out as Delco’s greatest workhorse, a record-breaker who never needed to be flashy to leave a legacy.
“He’s a great kid and I love him to death,” Dougherty said. “He was quarterback for us back during the 1-9 season (2023). There was a lot of ‘trust me, it’s going to get better’ from me during that 1-9 year. We lost on this field two years ago to end that season, and it was hard. When we sat down after that season and I told him, ‘I think we’re going to switch you to running back.’ He just said, ‘OK coach.’ There was never a doubt, he trusted the process the whole way and it paid off. You can insert him in a 1980s football game and he wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. He plays like the old-school guys. And he’s just an awesome kid.”