At the risk of prompting debate, we humbly offer the following 20 games (in chronological order) that stack up as the greatest in the history of the Radnor v. Lower Merion Rivalry, from a Radnor perspective of course!!

1899 Radnor 11 - L.M. 10:

Makes the list as the first Radnor victory, but we have limited press accounts of this barn burner. The Inquirer reported a well played game and Keller (QB), Borden (L G), Baker (L HB) and Tolan (LG) were called out as putting up the “best game” for Radnor. Manner of scoring is lost to history, but team captain Mertz spent his post playing days at football banquets regaling alums with tales of this first win.

1919 Radnor 50 – L.M. 0:  

The first two decades of the rivalry were marked by a number of close games and ties with no team scoring more than 24 points.  This game shattered that trend.  The Suburban front page byline blared: “LOWER MERION DID NOT SHINE SATURDAY NIGHT – Indeed, a Pall of the Deepest Gloom Settled Down on Ardmore and Purlieus – Radnor High Annihilated Traditional Rivals.”  With Stan Hunt as coach and 5000 watching, Radnor scored 30 first half points.  Ferry (2 TDs), Murphy (2 TDs including 30-yard double pass) and Henderson (1 TD) were standouts on offense while team captain Rae Crowther, Price and Harbaugh dominated on defense.  Amos Dotterer at QB controlled the game, scoring a touchdown, field goal, and kicking 5 extra points.  R-Star Club was born on this date.  The victory brought Radnor the Powell Cup, given to the winner of the clash.

1920 Radnor 56 – L.M. 0:  

The most lopsided victory by Radnor in the history of the Rivalry, and the most points ever scored by Radnor up to that point, left the Suburban front page to crow: “SLAUGHTERED TO MAKE A RADNOR HIGH HOLIDAY.”  Stan Hunt again was coach, the game played in Radnor with 5,000 spectators and Radnor led 42-0 at the half.  Jules Prevost’s only season playing for Radnor.  Captain Ferry played well on both sides of the ball, and Whetstone (3 TDs) and Murphy (2 TDS) starred on offense. 

1926 Radnor 26 – L.M. 0:  

“For the first time in four years Radnor will enter the game a favorite, for in his first year as coach, Jules Prevost, former All-American tackle at Penn State, has molded a team that ranks among the best that ever wore the Red and White.”  (The Suburban 11/19/26)  Radnor met its nemesis Lower Merion on November 20, 1926, on Radnor’s new home field.   Early in the game, Lower Merion had two chances to score due to a strong wind that caused short punts, but twice Radnor held inside their own 10.   

The play of the game came at the opening of the second half.   As described by the Philadelphia Inquirer: “Seth Brown, Radnor’s wingman picked the ball out of the air when Parse (of Lower Merion) kicked off to start the second half . . . .  Brown received the kick-off on his own 10-yard line and raced 90 yards for a touchdown.”  An intercepted pass and blocked punt led to two more Radnor scores in the fourth period, but it was Radnor’s iron defense that carried the day.  Radnor was victorious and Jules Prevost had a championship in his first season.

1930 Radnor 12 – L.M. 12:  

Yes, a tie makes the list, but what a tie it was. L.M came into the game undefeated and untied 8-0, outscoring the opposition 201 to 14 and on an 18-game win streak.  Radnor, on the other hand, was 1-6-1 having been shut out 5 times, but master motivator Jules Prevost had his charges ready.  “The Lower Merion regulars looked as cocky and confident as a man with a royal flush, and as big as Ringling Bros’ well-known elephant troupe.”  (The Suburban) Radnor struck first with a 42-yard TD by “Oats” Odorisio but trailed 12-6 at half.  Lamley of Radnor scored the only points of the second half, Radnor missed the extra point and L.M.’s undefeated season was spoiled.  Dubbed the “Main Line Classic,” the game was moved to Villanova for the first time to accommodate what was ultimately a crowd of over 10,000 who carried the Radnor players off the field after the final whistle.

1931 Radnor 14 – L.M. 0: 

Winless against L.M. since 1926, Prevost’s team came into the game played at Ardmore once again the underdogs.  “RADNOR WON GLORIOUS VICTORY FROM POWERFUL LOWER MERION ELEVEN” was the Suburban byline.  Captain “Oats” Odorisio and his mates scored in the first and second periods and thereafter held off L.M.  “Radnor put up one of the greatest defensive struggles ever displayed in one of these classics of the Main Line, for no less than eight times the fury of the lower Merion attack broke against the inspired Radnor defense within the 10-yard line,” rhapsodized the Suburban.

1940 Radnor 31 – L.M. 6: 

Both teams came into the game evenly matched but Emlen Tunnell and Radnor got the best of Lower Merion on this day.  While Tunnell “took the starring role with his running, passing and punting, he was aided by an all-star cast that included such stalwarts as Lou Roshelli, speedy back and pass receiver; Ray Ballone, blocker and line crasher; Ben Domenick, watch-charm quarterback and Jerry Domenick, accurate passing center and line backer-up on defense,” reported the Inquirer.  7,000 attended at Villanova and witnessed L.M.’s worst loss in the game since 1926.

1944 Radnor 27 - L.M. 0:

With the all-time series tied at 19 wins--each with 9 ties--Radnor took the series lead with a convincing win, a lead it would not reclaim until 2020. “SUPERB RADNOR PLAY DEMORALIZED LOWER MERION, 27-0, IN FORTY-EIGHTH GAME” (The Suburban). Al Domenick, Allen Smith, Frank Mullin and Bob Camac all scored for Radnor and Earl Aigeldinger starred on offense while Lou D’Amicantonio stood out on the line. “The scrappy and hard-hitting Red and White team completely outplayed their highly-rated rivals. Never giving L.M. a chance to get started the Red Raiders rang up four touchdowns, had another nullified by a penalty, and gained more ground than a Moscow dispatch.” (The Suburban

1955 Radnor 6 – L.M. 27:

The only loss on our list came in the midst of an L.M. 23-game unbeaten streak and what ultimately was 12 straight wins over Radnor. However, on November 24, 1955, Radnor’s Ted Dean was so dominant on both sides of the ball that he was unanimously voted Most Valuable Player of the game. In what the Radnorite described as “the play of the year,” Dean took a second quarter short pass from QB Charlie Brown and proceeded to run 85 yards “zig-zag[ging] his way back and forth across the field escaping many tacklers until he was brought down from behind on the 10-yard line.” He scored the Radnor’s lone touchdown and was part of an effort that held the Aces to only two offensive touchdowns, both in the second half. (Ted Dean pictured)

1957 Radnor 12 – L.M. 0:  

In 1954 and 1955, L.M. spoiled Radnor unbeaten seasons in the final game and had won 12 straight.   Then, early in the 1957 season, it was announced that the 60-year-old Radnor – L.M. rivalry would come to an end due to Suburban League realignment.  (Later reversed due to efforts of the two schools).  At the same time Radnor High School, and surrounding schools, were stricken with a widespread flu epidemic that led to closures and multiple game postponements. Despite all this, Radnor came into the LM game once again unbeaten and, on a sloppy Hap Arnold Field in Ardmore, with Paul Englebert  (game MVP), Joe Iacone, and David King, along with the punting of Sam Virgilio, showing the way, they finished the season in style, undefeated for the first time since 1926.  “The names of 15 Radnor High School players were engraved in immortality on snow soaked Arnold Field here Saturday.  Although outweighed 20 pounds per man on the line, the Wayne Raiders outfought mighty Lower Merion in the snow, mud and cold for a 12-0 victory that completed the greatest season for Radnor since the school began playing the sport in 1897.”  (Chester Times 11/24/1957)

1958 Radnor 47 – L.M. 14:

The Radnor and L.M. boys played together during the summers and there was great mutual respect. However, after the 1957 win there was some chatter about a sloppy field and lucky breaks as the cause of the Radnor win. In 1958 Radnor finished its second undefeated season and silenced the doubters with a pounding of L.M. 47-14 for its 20th straight win. “The great Radnor forward wall ripped the [L.M.] line to shreds, opening gaping holes, through which Joe Iacone sprang for two TD’s, Pete Allen for two, Howard Hopson, Paul Englebert and Bob Greims for one each.” (The Suburban). Ahead 26-7 at the half, the Raiders ran up over 500 yards on offense, almost entirely on the ground. (Captains Iacone, center, and Englebert cut a huge cake in their honor)

1960 Radnor 53 – L.M. 0:  

In one of the most dominant performances in the history of the rivalry, Radnor ran up over 530 yards in a historic pasting of L.M.  Radnor was led by Don Blackwell with 193 yards on 18 carries, 4 receptions for 75 yards, and 4 touchdowns including an 88-yard TD run and an 82-yard kickoff return.  Lou Benn, Chuck Gray and Dave Raub also scored for Radnor.  “’You students of Radnor High School have never seen a Radnor team lose to Lower Merion.’ said Miss Mary Carter at the Raiders great rally last Wednesday.  They still haven’t.”  (The Suburban)  Radnor finished in a tie with Lansdowne-Aldan for the Suburban III League Championship.

1968 Radnor 24 – L.M. 13:

L.M. came into the game having won 6 straight. “SIX LONG YEARS . . . . And within those years we had almost forgotten what victory was like. But the Radnor Spirit needed no urging as it sprouted and spread all week long, echoing in the splash of paint in the bus garage, and flashing in a million angry posters.” (1969 Yearbook) The game was in doubt when L.M. pulled ahead, 13-12, in the third quarter. But on the strength of a historic effort by Steve Schadler on both sides of the ball, and an outstanding game by WR Ed Brennan as well as a timely 50-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brian O’Neill, Radnor prevailed. QB Schadler scored on a 10-yard run, threw a 58-yard TD strike to Jeff Pearsall in the 4th quarter and then sealed the game with a 69-yard interception return for a TD. “But what we remember best about that night was not the talk, music or mud. It was a tiny flame that, like our spirit, flickered, grew and became OUR BONFIRE.” (1969 Yearbook)

1975 Radnor 29 – L.M. 15: 

Radnor’s 8-1 season and Central League title was on the line as the Raiders traveled to L.M.’s Arnold Field.  After starting slow it was a hook-and-lateral QB Johnson to WR Lawrence to TE Giubilato that got Radnor going, but Radnor trailed 15-7 at the half.  A stop inside the 10 by the Radnor D was followed by a 98-yard drive led by Johnson and finished by Giubilato with a catch for a TD and the 2-point conversion to tie.  In the fourth period a 24-yard screen pass to Lyons led to a 3-yard Lyons score and Radnor had the lead for good, and a share of the Central League Crown.  “Corner, along with chief assistants Jack Gibson and George Hopson, molded a small, not particularly gifted team into a cohesive 9-1 unit.  The Raiders’ results far exceeded expectations.  ‘In that sense, this has to be my most satisfying year’ reflected Corner.”  (The Suburban)

1976 Radnor 21 – L.M. 6:

In 1976 all that was left was LM for the Central League championship and undefeated season. Radnor again would be tested. In the first quarter a 34-yard Sydnor catch and Butler TD run put Radnor up 6-0 and defenses ruled for the remainder of the half. Radnor opened up the second half with a drive leading to a Butler TD run and Butler 2-point conversion to push the lead to 14-0. L.M. would narrow the lead to 14-6 but, as it had all year, the Raider defense shut down the opponent. A Kelly 34-yard TD run and Cathcart point after would close the game and the undefeated season 21-6.

“There’s a lot of love there, an unselfish giving for the sake of the team.  They realize that the rewards are a lot greater that way.  Our three co-captains are really unselfish people an in that way we have a subtle kind of leadership, one by example.”  (George Corner, The Suburban)

1981 Radnor 19 – L.M. 13:

After losses in the prior three years, the legendary George Corner hoped for a “W” in the game that would mark his coaching finale. The scoring opened with Pat Prendergast and Ed Brogan of Radnor blocking a L.M. punt and Prendergast falling on the ball in the end zone. After L.M. tied the game, two Glenn Boisbrun completions and a Mike Chessock run led to a Chad Sydnor three-yard TD run and Radnor led 13-6 at the half. L.M. tied the game again early in the 2nd half at 13. However a short punt led to a short field and Chessock ran it in from 12 yards out. Radnor then held its breath as an L.M receiver dropped the ball in the end zone late in the game. “The trophy stood in the middle of the Radnor gymnasium, its fiery brilliance matching the glow of triumph. The symbol of victory over Lower Merion had not graced the halls of Radnor since 1977, but come hell or bonfire, it was now at the upper end of the Main Line.” (The Suburban)

1987 Radnor 25 – L.M. 22:

Radnor had not won in the prior six years and this game would mark the final of coach George Hopson’s illustrious career as a Radnor player and head coach (He would be lured out of retirement to be offensive coordinator). But Coach Hopson and Radnor had one last trick, installing the wishbone offense in one week of practice with the help of former coach Don DiCarlo, which QB Matt Civitella ran to perfection.

Brian Henesey, the senior running back/linebacker, had a game for the ages, scoring all 4 Raider touchdowns and ran for 158 yards on 14 carries. After a massive hit on the L.M. QB by Rich Ruiz in the first quarter, Henesey picked up the ball and ran it in from 50 yards. L.M. struck back immediately, but a 4-yard Henesey run put Radnor up 13-7 at the half. On the 3rdplay of the 2nd half Henesey broke free for a 67-yard touchdown. However, L.M. was not done and scored the next

two TDs to take a 22-19 lead with 10 minutes left. Starting on their own 35, Radnor’s Hopson and Henesey moved the ball downfield with Henesey scoring the game winning TD with 3:35 left from 19 yards out. Michael Hopson had run for 96 yards on the day and fittingly sealed the win for his father with an interception at the 2:25 mark. “There is happiness and sadness right now. You know it’s your last ball game. I’m tickled pink to go out like this. I’ll always remember this.” (George Hopson, The Suburban)

1999 Radnor 32 – L.M. 14:

Ralph Rapino’s squad was winless for the season coming into the L.M. game, but a week of celebration and unwavering support from the stands inspired Radnor’s play on its home field. As one L.M. parent was heard to say “Radnor has it over Lower Merion 110 percent in spirit.” (The Suburban). Dave Brigg carried the load at RB, while QB Frank Grabuski and WR Isaiah Harrison connected often. Grabuski scored the first TD on a short run and then connected with Ben Moses for a 19 yard TD reception. Jim Anderson and John Saunders shut down the Aces offense and the score was 14-0 at half. (Photo of Jim Anderson accepting the trophy, taken by John Welsh of The Suburban.) In the third, Harrison carried for a TD as did Grabuski and the lead ballooned to 26-7. Harrison finished the Radnor scoring with a 47-yard run in the 4th quarter. After the game Grabuski credited the defense and the crowd. “John Saunders played awesomely on defense. His intensity was incredible; he kept the defense up. The sidelines and the whole crowd came together and got a victory for us.” (The Suburban)

2012 Radnor 35 – L.M. 7:

Radnor came into the game on a 20-game losing streak, but Coach Tom Ryan’s team would put an end to that on this day. Jimmy Blake (RB) would run for 167 yards on 24 carries as Radnor jumped on top at the outset and wore L.M. down. Blake scored on a touchdown run on Radnor’s first possession. Trickery marked Radnor’s second TD as Chris Galloway threw a HB pass to Erami Wilson. In the 2nd quarter Ben Cohen connected with Dan Kurtyka on another “rocket option” for a 61-yard TD bomb. Radnor would score twice in the second half and only a late L.M. touchdown spoiled the shutout. John King and Mike Staples led the defense. “It was a great all-around effort by our team . . . . It gives us something to build on for next year – we have a lot of guys who can play. And it’s a great way for our seniors to end their careers, with a win at L.M.” (Coach Tom Ryan, The Suburban)

2018 Radnor 28 – L.M. 20: Radnor was in the midst of a historic season that would culminate with its first home playoff game and its first playoff win. But all that might not have happened if favored Radnor had not prevailed in this tougher than expected game. The game was moved from Saturday to Friday under the Harriton lights to avoid a Saturday storm and L.M. was ready. L.M. struck first with a 74-yard drive for a TD, but a 36-yard TD pass from Sean Mullarkey to TE Matt Rosato tied the game. A L.M. fumble and Matt Cohen run put Radnor up 14-7 at the half. Mullarkey opened the second half with an electric 74-yard TD run. Cohen, who would finish with 142 yards on 32 carries, then went to work late in the 3rd quarter on a long drive that ended with another Mullarkey to Rosato TD pass. L.M. would score 2 late TDs to make the game close, but Radnor ran out the remaining time with a key 16-yard Mullarkey first down pass.