By Brian Carroll, Havenfootball.net
For most of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, the conversation surrounding Central League football supremacy was dominated by two teams: Ridley and Strath Haven. Other teams have emerged more recently as consistent title contenders (e.g. Garnet Valley, Springfield, etc.), and the 2008 expansion of the Central League resulted in 5A schools not playing their 6A rivals every season. But this Friday night in Folsom, the Panthers and Green Raiders will strap on the helmets to face each other for the first time since 2019, with both hoping to stay in Central League title contention.
After an opening weekend trip to Florida did not go their way on the scoreboard, Ridley has bounced back to win four of their last five games. With only one league loss to undefeated Garnet Valley, Head Coach Dave Wood brings a confident and experienced group to their home turf. Last season’s District 1 6A semifinalists returned their entire offensive line and ten defensive starters in 2022, easing the transition of new quarterback #12 Ryan Carroll (no relation) and running back #25 Alante Smith. Versatile slotback #3 Paul Jackson has been effective both catching the ball and running it from the Wildcat formation, and fellow senior #5 Kameen Powell has game-breaking ability at wide receiver, as well. Aside from the first week hiccup against Crestview (FL), the defense has been solid, with Jackson, #51 Billy Bair and #45 Connor Kelley very active at linebacker. All-Delco #66 Hayden Brown is a stalwart at nose tackle, and DE #6 Nahaj Saleem provides the pass rush, tallying two sacks last week in Ridley’s 28-0 win over Lower Merion.
