Phil Anastasia: Max Farnath's instincts

The punt was short, so the football bounced twice and got to Max Farnath at the same time as three Haddon Township defenders.

On the sideline, Haddonfield coach Frank DeLano knew it was too late to yell. He also knew that wouldn't have worked anyway: His punt returner was going to trust his instincts, not his ears.

"It was one of those plays where you're thinking, 'Oh my gosh, don't do that, don't do that . . . nice play,' " DeLano said. "It's a 20-yard swing in a game where field position was so important.

"If he lets it go, it rolls 10 more yards. He catches it, runs through three guys, and gains 10 yards. Those are the kinds of plays that Max makes for us."

Haddonfield beat Haddon Township, 21-18, in a Colonial Conference clash yesterday that was nasty for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was the big-play ability of junior quarterback Phillip Bhaya.

But Farnath was right in his element in a rivalry game in which both teams seemed to have a little extra animosity for each other. The versatile senior made plays as a running back, receiver, returner and defensive back.

"There was a lot of trash-talking," Farnath said. "It's kind of a dicey rivalry. None of us likes each other. It's heated."

Farnath said he took a few extra hits from Haddon Township defenders, although Hawks running back Joe Tegan probably could have said the same thing. It was that kind of game, with the teams evenly combining for six personal-foul or unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties.

A star wrestler for Haddonfield in the winter, Farnath brings a lot of emotion and a little bit of an edge to a Bulldogs football team that is 5-0 for the first time since 1967.

The 5-10, 150-pound Farnath also can play: He ran 17 times for 83 yards yesterday, caught two passes for 26 yards, and made some big hits on defense.

His punt return in the second quarter might have covered just 10 yards, but it included three broken tackles and sent the Bulldogs on their way to their second touchdown.

"Max is an extremely emotional football player," DeLano said. "But he has the ability to make big plays for us at any time. He's a special player."

Bhaya, who generated 105 passing yards and 59 rushing yards and had a hand in all three Haddonfield touchdowns, said Farnath brings an intensity to the field that fuels the Bulldogs.

"Max gets frustrated sometimes but only because he wants to win so bad," Bhaya said. "He's a workhorse for us. When we're in a tight spot, we're going to get him the ball because we know he's going to come through because we know he's going to give 100 percent."

Farnath said in football season, he's a football player who wrestles. In wrestling season, he's a wrestler who plays football.

He was 160 pounds when the season began but said he's down about 10 pounds. He's hoping to wrestle at 135 or 140 pounds this winter.

But he's no scatback. He's quick, but he doesn't shy away from contact. He was turning every carry upfield against Haddon Township, and gained many of his yards after the first hit.

"He had a real nice game," Haddon Township coach Frank Trautz said of Farnath. "They kept running that stretch play and he kept turning it upfield."

Farnath led the Bulldogs through the handshake line after the game, taking some extra time to pat Teegan on the helmet and offer some encouraging words. Teegan had gained 75 yards on 24 hard carries, and scored two of the Hawks' touchdowns.

"He's really tough," Farnath said.

Teegan is listed at 210 pounds, and he needed every ounce in this game. Farnath is 150, maybe, and on his way to 140 or even 135 for wrestling.

But across the way, the Hawks could have said the same thing about him.