By Brian Carroll, Havenfootball.net
High school football fans blinked, and suddenly the 2024 regular season is halfway completed. For all the blood, sweat and tears poured into every offseason workout and meeting, the season itself seems to fly once it has begun. For the second year in a row, the Strath Haven Panthers have reached the season’s midpoint undefeated, thrilling fans with highlight-reel offense and a fast, punishing defense thus far. Still, with the home stretch of the regular season and playoffs looming, Haven will have many tests still to pass, starting this Friday at Marple Newtown.
Despite Marple Newtown’s up-and-down first half of the season, the Tigers are very much in playoff contention, and a victory over the Panthers for the second consecutive year would go a long way in securing a possible home playoff date. Head Coach Chris Gicking has handed the reins of the offense to first-year starter #15 Jude Jelus, who has completed over 60% of his passing attempts through five games. Jelus has spread the ball around well, connecting with ten different receivers, including twelve times each with #4 Jack Dean and #11 Sean Grogan. The short passing attack will force opposing defenses to tackle well in open space and also account for a three-headed rushing attack led by #22 Brett Wolski (5.8 yds/carry; 6 tds), #34 Lou DiLuzio (200 yards, 2 touchdowns), and #3 Aidin Curran, who also stars on the baseball diamond. #22 Brian Box, just back in the lineup last week after an injury, is an all-purpose threat who can change a game as well. Defensively, Curran also leads the team in tackles, while DiLuzio and #24 Bobby Knapp stay active behind a front line of #50 Mike Murray, #54 Eric Janda, and #52 Brett Cowan. The Tigers have also forced 8 turnovers (6 fumbles, 2 interceptions), giving opponents something to think about in terms of ball security.
The Panthers are coming off their signature win of the season thus far, claiming a share of first place in the Central League with a convincing 35-14 defeat of Garnet Valley. It was a complete effort throughout, with the defense buckling down in the red zone multiple times to stop Garnet Valley threats. Big fourth-down stops from #73 Paul Oblek, #81 Jahi Curtis, #89 Alexei Gustafson, and #56 Nick Farabaugh solidified the belief that the Panthers’ defensive line is amongst the Central League’s best. Linebackers #32 Shane Green and #15 Luke Mulhern were again fantastic, both registering double digit tackles. And on the offensive side of the ball, the Panthers showed that unique balance of being able to sustain long, methodical drives that wear down opposing defenses, and still have quick strike capability. #5 James Fisher was the beneficiary of tremendous offensive line play from Farabaugh, Curtis, Gustafson, #67 Cooper Murley, #54 Mike Flanagan, and tackles #52 Phil Collins and #55 Sean O’Niell. Fisher found the end zone five times, first on a 54-yard strike from #3 Caden Shuster, then four more times on the ground, including two electrifying fourth quarter jaunts on consecutive snaps. Freshman #47 Matt Styer was perfect in the kicking game, and the Panthers reached the halfway point of the regular season with an unblemished record.
All that being said, Strath Haven cannot afford to overlook a hungry Marple Newtown squad eager to replicate last season’s head-to-head result. In a game that Strath Haven dominated for nearly three quarters, the Tigers stayed patient, capitalized on some second-half Panther mistakes, and stunned the home crowd with a game-winning field goal on the final play. And while this year’s version of the Tigers may be a bit less experienced and less explosive on offense, they have multiple ways to attack, and almost always have a trick or two up their sleeves. To counter, Strath Haven will need to continue to play disciplined defensive football and maintain their terrific efficiency in the passing game that has balanced a powerful rushing attack in the last two weeks.
Seeing the game in person will always be highly-recommended, so a short road trip up Route 252 this Friday at 7pm should make for an entertaining evening of football and halftime music from the marching bands. For those unable to make the journey, live coverage will begin at 6:45 pm on www.havenfootball.net. Go Panthers!
