Strath Haven quarterback Jack Ryder fights for running room Saturday against Haverford. He would score on two running plays, helping to key a 35-21 Panthers victory over the Fords in a Central League playoff game. SUBMITTED PHOTO – BOB QUINN
By Matt DeGeorge
The realization set in last week for Jaris Adams, that the end of the football season and his Strath Haven career was near. For the less perceptive Panthers, the running back made sure to provide plentiful reminders Saturday, in the huddles, during pregame and at halftime, with a vocal assist from classmate Alex Hemingway.
Adams refused to be denied in his finale, leading the way in a quintessential Strath Haven performance. He carried 26 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns, leading a workmanlike 35-21 win over Haverford Saturday in a Central League playoff game.
The victory sends Adams and his fellow Panthers (5-1) out as winners in the matchup of runners-up in the league’s Class 6A and 5A divisions. It’s Strath Haven’s first win over Haverford since 2010, ending a stretch of six consecutive losses.
“It was like, man, this is my last week of practice, so I’ve got to do whatever I can do have my guys ready to roll,” Adams said. “I’m going to help my team win, and they’re going to help me do what I do.”
What they did was control the clock and move the ball in Haven’s typically steamrolling fashion. It wasn’t necessarily pretty: The Panthers only had two plays of more than 20 yards, only one in the rushing game, and their 62 carries amounted to just 241 yards, an average of 3.9 per tote.
(click on this link for the full story)
Webmaster’s note – If you missed the game or simply want to relive all the exciting moments you can listen to our archived broadcast by clicking on the player below!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
