By Brian Carroll
As stated, many times in this column over the past few seasons, the Strath Haven Panthers’ ongoing football goal seems simple: “Just get better every week.” Head Coach Kevin Clancy has been at the helm since 1991, so certainly understands that idea sometimes results in winning football games, and sometimes not. With a talented group of student-athletes on this year’s roster, the Panthers have not only stormed their way to a 13th Central League title, but last week cleared the first hurdle on the path to a possible District 1 5A championship. With a 42-7 demolition of Great Valley last Friday, the Panthers showed fans that they are playing their best football at the most important time of the season. Still, the race continues, and it will not get any easier with the defending District 1 Champion Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals coming to town this week.
The Flying Cardinals arrive at George L. King this week as the #7 seed with a 7-4 record, with all four losses coming to 6A playoff teams in the Suburban 1 League. Head Coach Bret Stover brings a balanced offense, led by 1,000 yard rusher #1 Shyne Roberts. Roberts is complemented by fullback #44 Martin Campbell Jr., and #4 Chris Kohlbrenner is a three-year starter and Upper Dublin’s most versatile weapon as a running back, receiver, and kick returner. #5 Kevin Etkins is a first-year starter at quarterback but has handled the spread offense nicely. Defensively, the Cardinals have given up more points than last year’s District 1 championship unit, but still have several playmakers who can change momentum quickly. Roberts and #31 Dominick Paone lead the linebackers, while Kohlbrenner and fellow senior #12 Trey Relvas anchor the secondary.
The Panthers roared through their first-round opponent a week ago with a dominant performance in all phases of the game. Led by #81 Jahi Curtis, #56 Nick Farabaugh, #40 Cole Miller and #89 Alexei Gustafson up front, the Haven defense set the tone early, forcing first half interceptions from #20 Marco Kauffman and #44 Sean Henry. Great Valley was held to negative rushing yardage in the first half, and the stifling Panther defense set up the offense with terrific field position for most of the evening. #32 Shane Green and #5 James Fisher both topped 100 yards rushing, and they and Kauffman each landed in the end zone twice. When it was all said and done, 10 different ball carriers piled up 413 rushing yards behind that senior-laden offensive line, and Strath Haven’s running-clock victory should give the Panther faithful lots of optimism leading into the quarterfinal round.
After Upper Dublin piled up 40 points in their opening round victory over Methacton last week, the Panther defense will have their hands full tackling the biggest running backs they have faced this season, with Roberts and Campbell both well over 200 pounds. And with Coach Stover’s big game experience (District 1 championship wins in 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2022), the Cardinals will not arrive intimidated. Strath Haven will need to continue to execute well offensively, limit turnovers, and take advantage of their size and speed on the edges to hopefully grab another home game the following Friday night.
Can the Panthers grab their first-ever victory over Upper Dublin, who ended the Haven season in the 2016 playoffs? Get to your seats early on Friday night at George L. King Field to find out, or check out the livestream on www.havenfootball.net beginning at 6:45pm. As always, the players, coaches, cheerleaders, and marching band are thankful for tremendous community support! Go Panthers!
