By Brian Carroll
“For true success ask yourself these four questions: Why? Why not? Why not me? Why not now?”– James Allen
At the start of the 2023 season back in early August, fans of the Strath Haven Football program had lots of questions about how the Panthers would fare over the next couple months. With lots of exceptional talent exiting the program after graduation in June, Head Coach Kevin Clancy and his staff had to wonder who could step up and replace All-Central League performers at all three levels of the defense? Who would carry the football, with over 4,300 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns no longer on the roster? Who would replace a kicker who converted 57 of 59 extra points and tilted the field with deep kickoffs all of last season? Yet with all of those questions, this year’s version of Strath Haven football gave the community 15 weeks of answers, landing last week in the PIAA State Semifinals against Imhotep Charter.
As expected, facing Imhotep in the “Final 4” of the 5A state playoffs for the second time in three years would be no easy task, as Imhotep had reached the state finals in six of the last seven seasons they played. Their roster loaded with Division 1 college talent, the District 12 champs came out flying against Strath Haven, scoring touchdowns on each of their first 5 possessions. The normally fantastic Strath Haven defense could not generate enough pressure against an outstanding Imhotep line, and the secondary could not keep up with Imhotep’s passing attack, led by Army West Point-bound quarterback Mikal Davis and handful of fast receivers. Davis threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, while future Georgia Bulldog Jabree Wallace-Coleman found the end zone three more times in the running game. Still, Strath Haven battled all night, forcing a turnover when #32 Shane Green punched out an Imhotep fumble that #27 Ben Milligan (10 tackles) recovered in the third quarter. But by then, the Panther offense had managed only one quick strike, 61-yard scoring pass from Jake Kitchin to #5 James Fisher, and had another long touchdown by #25 AJ Glavacic called back on a questionable penalty. Kitchin scored his seventh rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, and had the offense on the move to the Imhotep 1-yard line when the clock, and the 2023 season, expired with Haven on the wrong side of a 42-14 score.
Yet what a year it was! As hard as it is to see any season end, it should be even harder to complain about a team with so many significant questions in August finished amongst the final four teams playing in Pennsylvania on December 1st. The opening weekend victory over Interboro solidified the idea that the Panthers’ senior-laden offensive line (#77 Bill Brown, #55 Gavin Pilson, #68 Carter Law, #57 Jackson Geremia, #76 Will Leuthold, and #40 Cole Miller) could shine in their second season starting as a unit. #6 Jack Kitchin’s unwavering leadership and clutch throws all year gave the Panthers tons of confidence at the quarterback spot. Stunning fourth quarter comeback victories over powerful Springfield and Ridley showed big-play capability from juniors #5 James Fisher and #32 Shane Green, as well as a grittiness and toughness to overcome early season injuries to seniors #25 AJ Glavacic, #4 Mekhi Clark, and #44 Sean Henry. Upon his return from injury, Henry combined with fellow senior #20 Marco Kauffman to have the most prolific tackling duo at linebacker in Delaware County, while juniors #34 Vince Hales, #81 Jahi Curtis, and #89 Alexi Gustafson teamed with Miller as a fast and aggressive defensive line. Special teams standouts included #85 Ian Gallagher and #27 Ben Milligan in the kicking game, #8 Ryan Henry and #31 Jack Shuster on the coverage units, and #64 Jackson Miller was fantastic as the long snapper.
When it was all said and done, after ten weeks of football that included many close games and a monumental road victory at Garnet Valley, the Panthers managed to grab a share of the Central League title for the second year in a row. Battle-tested and increasingly healthy, the Panthers roared into the District 1 playoffs with a convincing win over Great Valley, another big-play explosion from Fisher in edging Upper Dublin, and a defensive clinic in an edge-of-your-seat nailbiter beating Springfield, 14-12, in the semifinals. Thanksgiving weekend provided one of the more memorable days of football in recent memory, as a packed house at Chester brought tons of energy from two neighboring communities. And boy, did the players provide the thrills, as the Panthers outlasted Chester, 28-20, in a see-saw battle that was undecided until the final minute. In claiming their record setting 13th District 1 championship, the 2023 Panthers certainly answered all those early season questions emphatically.
Most importantly, it was wonderful to see the camaraderie and smiles amongst this dedicated, sportsmanlike group of young men. Of course, that display is a biproduct of a coaching staff that is second to none, with many thanks to Kevin Clancy, Jim Connor, Mike Connor, Dan Shaffer, Brian Fili, Dave Franza, Pat Clancy, and other staff for once again giving everyone a football experience that makes the entire Wallingford-Swarthmore community proud. Panther fans everywhere look forward to the off-season dedication and efforts from our talented underclassmen leading into 2024 as the Panthers try to defend their league title.
Those who watched the broadcasts or view the website on www.havenfootball.net have heard this already, but special “Thank You’s” go out to the Panthers’ 14 graduating senior players, Athletic Director Lynelle Mosley, the Haven Gridiron Club, the Haven Marching Band, Strath Haven Cheerleaders, the Swarthmorean, and the many sponsors of the website for continued support of the program and our video broadcasts. Most of all, we are thankful that the 2023 Central League Champion and District 1 Champion Strath Haven Panthers gave us an extra half-season of football and so many answers to those early-August questions. Thank you again for a memorable run, 2023 Strath Haven Panther Football!
