By Brian Carroll, Broadcaster
A question for the Strath Haven Panther football team: “So how do you top that?” After an exhilarating, improbable finish in the District 1 5A Final that saw the Panthers squeak out a 34-33, double-overtime victory over West Chester Rustin by literally their fingertips, it seems fair to ask how a more satisfying encore could even be imagined. But now in the PIAA state semifinals, with a powerhouse of an opponent in Imhotep Charter awaiting, Strath Haven has an enormous opportunity to surpass the joy of Thanksgiving weekend where they claimed their twelfth district championship.
Imhotep Charter, the District 12 champion whose mascot is also the Panthers, will present a challenge for Strath Haven that they have not seen in years. With no disrespect to any other opponents this year (including 6A District 1 Champ Garnet Valley), Imhotep thrives on a defense with a Division 1 prospect at nearly every position, as it allows just 6.0 points per game. Only one other team in all of Pennsylvania allows fewer points per game, and none have the #1 defensive end recruit in the country, #6 Enai White. White makes a living in opponents’ backfields, is flanked by two more D1 recruits on the defensive line, #25 Jah’Sear Whittington and #1 Keon Wylie, a Penn State commit. If Haven manages to push through the defensive line, linebacker #7 Maurice Beverly awaits: He was merely the MVP of the Philadelphia Public League this season. A speedy and aggressive secondary, led by #9 Jahmir Reyes (West Point commit) and #2 Rashaan Wright, locks down the back end. Imhotep’s offense is no slouch, either, averaging 31 points per game, third-best in District 12. Southpaw QB #12 Mikal Davis can sling it to several talented receivers including #11 Rojhii Atkinson and #18 Terrance Adams, while offensive tackles #56 Kaliem Croswell and #74 Emir Stinetta (Rutgers commit) pave the way for running backs #3 Tre McLeod, #8 Rahmir Stewart, and #13 Jabree Coleman. McLeod, following that offensive line that averages 311 pounds per man, shredded Erie Cathedral Prep to the tune of 293 yards and three touchdowns in Tep’s 42-7 quarterfinal victory.
As expected last week, Strath Haven had no easy path in dealing with West Chester Rustin, using contributions from all three units and overcoming several tense moments to secure the win on the final play. QB #4 Sam Milligan, in addition to his dive to the goal line pylon for the game-winning two-point conversion, scored three times on the ground, and was boosted by running backs #24 Chase Barlow (2 touchdowns) and #32 Anthony Crawford (74 tough yards), especially after #23 Matt Shuler (89 yards on 5 carries) left the game in the second quarter with an injury. The Haven offensive line was again a huge key in grinding out 309 rushing yards and 34 points, and the defense, led by a big night from tackles #68 Ben Farabaugh, #57 Ethan Barrar, and #72 Jason Williams, had some big plays in the first half to keep Rustin in check for just long enough. DE #84 Mason Green had a sack, and linebackers #40 Bob Fooskas and Barlow led in tackles once again, and Crawford also recovered a key fumble deep in Haven territory to thwart a Rustin drive.
Imhotep and Strath Haven have met just once, a lopsided win for Imhotep in the opening game of the 2012 season. Head Coach Devon Johnson, much like his predecessors over the past decade, has his Panthers expecting a state title to match the one they picked up in 2015, with the defense allowing no more than 14 points to any opponent this season. Strath Haven Coach Kevin Clancy, however, has had opponents this year (and in many seasons’ past) who were bigger, faster, and perhaps more talented individually. His Panthers, by playing solid team football, have still managed 13 wins in 14 games this year (and 332 wins overall for Coach Clancy), so expect another terrific effort this Friday night with a trip to Hershey at stake.
And while we love having live listeners to the broadcast, we would love it even more to see the home sideline at Ridley’s Phil Marion Field awash in silver and black! Strath Haven has given their football fans and families plenty of reasons to smile this season, so why not try to top last weekend’s magic one more time? The final step on the road to Hershey will be broadcasted live beginning at 6:45pm (7pm kickoff) on www.havenfootball.net. 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.
