#24 Chase Barlow taking off for a big gain in last week’s defeat of Marple Newtown. Photo by Jim Quinn, BQPictures.com
By Brian Carroll, broadcaster
For high school football fans, weekend plans in November are written in pencil. With playoff tournaments underway and each remaining team in “survive, and advance” mode, other family or social gatherings may be on hold until the scoreboard clocks read “0:00” late on Friday nights or Saturday afternoons. Strath Haven, the #2 seed in District 1 5A, and #6 seeded Academy Park both battled through first half scares last weekend, and will now grab a chunk of many calendars this week as they prepare to meet this Friday night in the district semifinals.
Academy Park, the Del-Val League’s Co-Champion led by Head Coach Jason Vosheski, brings a 9-2 record to the table and rides a five game winning streak into the semifinal round. The Knights are no strangers to deep playoff runs, having won District 1 titles in 2013, 2015, and 2016, to go with a runner-up finish in 2019. With a bevy of offensive weapons, Academy Park will run a spread offense directed by quarterback #6 Darrell Fields and mix in some Wildcat looks with running back/wide receiver #2 Eric Willis, who has over 800 combined rushing/receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns. Add running back #7 Terrance Oliver, who is coming off a 246-yard effort in last week’s victory, and running back #1 Abe Sanogo, and the Panthers will have their hands full to contain an offense that averages 32.9 points per game. That being said, the defense is (and has been for several years) what spurs the Knights most weeks, as they have forced 27 turnovers in their 11 contests, and allow a paltry 9.4 points per game, which is the second best average in all of District 1. Blocking defensive end #1 Sanogo and defensive end #11 Jalen Holman is a tall task, while corner back #2 Wills and #21 free safety Aris Hunter clog the passing lanes and have seven interceptions between them. And after allowing 13 first half points to Unionville a week ago, the Knights rattled off 28 straight of their own in the second half to earn another (much shorter!) road trip this week to Wallingford.
Strath Haven also had a battle in the first half last Friday night, clinging to a 14-10 lead at halftime despite being out gained by Marple Newtown. But the offensive line took over in the third quarter, and the Panther defense closed the door on Tiger drives all but once in the second half. The offense once again shared the wealth amongst four ball carriers with runningbacks #24 Chase Barlow (152yds/3TDs), #32 Anthony Crawford (150 yds/TD), #23 Matt Shuler (142 all purpose yards/TD), and quarterback #4 Sam Milligan (17 rush yds/TD) filling the stat sheet. The defense, led by 3 sacks from defensive end #85 Nate Perlman and three hurries from defensive end #84 Mason Green, kept the pressure on up front while linebackers Barlow, Crawford, and #40 Bob Fooskas combined for 31 total tackles. Defensivw backs #5 Chase Nangle and Aiden Sutherland added big plays in the secondary, and kicker #30 Charlie Shankweiler’s three touch-backs on kickoffs gave the Tigers a long field for much of the evening.
The Knights and Panthers last met in the opening round in the 2018 playoffs, and played in a mud pit when monsoon-type rains blasted both teams throughout the night. After jumping out to a two-touchdown lead, the Panthers offense stalled in the second half, and Academy Park used a kick-return touchdown and a powerful running game to pull out a 20-19 victory. Good weather is expected this week, but the recipe could be the same for the Knights. Academy Park showed last week that they will battle regardless of any deficit on the scoreboard, and have explosive play makers who can turn the tide quickly. The Panthers will need to gang tackle very well, and counter a very aggressive defensive front from Academy Park to move the ball patiently and well. If Strath Haven can minimize turnovers and penalties, they have a good chance to return to the District 1 5A Championship game for the first time since 2010. If not, expect the Knights to take full advantage of any mistakes and use a size advantage on their offensive line to make a return trip of their own after not playing a fall season of football in 2020.
Strath Haven’s offense has been a largely unstoppable force, while Academy Park’s defense has been largely an immovable object. The audio broadcast will begin at 6:45 for pre-game and a 7pm kickoff on www.havenfootball.net, as a battle for a trip to the finals between these two talented teams will not be one to miss! The game will be available on our archives within a few hours after the game concludes. You can also check in on Twitter for scores and video updates.
