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.
Strath Haven readies for their third road trip in as many weeks and will look to leave Phil Marion Field smiling for the first time since 2002. To pull it off, the defense will hope for similar production from the front four of #89 Ben Farabaugh and #73 Jason Williams at tackle, flanked by #64 Vince Hales and #35 Austion Conner at defensive end. Their efforts were key in last week’s 35-6 victory over Penncrest, with additional support coming from linebackers #20 Marco Kaufman and #40 Bob Fooskas. #5 Chase Nangle and #25 AJ Glavacic will be tested this week at cornerback by Ridley’s talented receiving corps. Offensively, Haven will continue to pound away with their Wing-T, after piling up 435 rushing yards last Friday. #34 Anthony Crawford finished in the end zone three times on his way to a career-high 232 yards, and #4 Sam Milligan had a career-long 76-yard run amongst his 122 yards and two scores. If the Panthers can continue to clear the path for their quintet of seniors in the backfield (Crawford, Fooskas, Conner, Milligan, and Nangle), it could be a long night for the Ridley defense.
With Garnet Valley continuing to roll along undefeated and with a favorable schedule in the weeks ahead, Strath Haven and Ridley both crave a win this week to keep hope alive for at least a share of the Central League title, as they did back in 2010. And with 5A (Haven) and 6A (Ridley) District 1 playoff scenarios beginning to take shape, both teams would love to stay in the hunt for a high seed and some early-round home games. Look for a barnburner this Friday night, with maybe even a special teams play or two having a significant impact…
If you cannot make it to the Week 7 clash at Ridley in person, tune in to www.havenfootball.net for the webcast beginning at 6:45pm for pregame chatter, followed by the 7pm kickoff. The “Silver and Black” versus the “Green Mystique” will not disappoint! Go Panthers!
