By Brian Carroll
With just three games remaining in the 2024 high school football regular season, the temptation for Strath Haven Panther fans will be to look well ahead on the upcoming schedule. An undefeated start to the season for Strath Haven has provided that excitement and luxury, as the Panthers are guaranteed a spot in the play-offs and have their eyes on defending their Central League (2022 and 2023) and District 1 5A (2023) titles. Still, hurdles still appear on the road to a potential championship, and the Panthers cannot afford to look past the Harriton Rams, who visit Haven this Thursday night.
Harriton returns to the Central League after a two-year hiatus, as they played an independent schedule in 2022 and 2023. The Rams managed much improved 4-6 and 5-5 records over those two seasons but have struggled to maintain that progress thus far in 2024. First-year Head Coach Mario Dattilo takes over with a young and inexperienced roster, but one that has improved as the season has progressed. After being shut out in their first three contests, the Rams have found the end zone in each of the last four games, with quarterbacks #12 Spyros Esposito and #2 Joe Mena distributing the ball amongst a handful of receivers in Hariton’s spread attack. #1 Marcus Bates had a pair of long receptions in last week’s loss to Ridley, while #18 Colin Sullivan and #7 Finn McCloud provided a spark, as well. #5 Musyn Dennis is a running and receiving threat from the slot, hauling in a 39-yard score two weeks ago against Conestoga. Defensively, Dennis and Sullivan are hard-hitting linebackers, while #64 Jackson Fischer anchors both lines. Safety #22 Ben Krebbs joins Bates and #6 Zach Friedant in the secondary, as the Rams are gaining experience by rotating a number of underclassmen into the lineup to join a handful of dedicated and talented seniors.
Strath Haven moved to 7-0 last weekend and, by virtue of Springfield’s loss to Haverford, grabbed hold of the top spot in the Central League and District 1 5A standings with a convincing 49-13 victory over Conestoga. While Conestoga held the ball for all but 4 minutes of the first half, the Panthers executed with incredible efficiency, leading 21-7 at the break using just six offensive snaps in their three scoring drives. The trend continued after halftime, as three more touchdowns followed in their next six snaps to kick start a running clock midway through the third quarter. In all the Haven offense averaged a remarkable 14 yards per play for the evening, led by #32 Shane Green’s 128 rushing yards and three touchdowns. #3 Caden Shuster completed both of his pass attempts, and #5 James Fisher added a pair of scores along with 184 all-purpose yards (54 rush/58 receiving/72 kick returns), averaging 23 yards per touch. #8 Ben Milligan and #35 Ryan Mudrick each found the end zone, and #85 Ian Gallagher and #47 Matt Styer converted all seven extra points. Defensively, while Haven bent a bit on Conestoga’s second quarter scoring drive, #81 Jahi Curtis (10 tackles, 3 TFLs), #31 Landon Barlow (7 tackles, sack), and #15 Luke Mulhern (8 tackles, forced fumble) helped keep the Pioneers out of the end zone until the final play of the game. #22 Grayson Lafrance snared his first interception of the season, while Curtis and #17 Quinn Kell each pounced on Pioneer fumbles.
On paper, this week’s game looks like a bit of a mismatch, with District 1’s top-ranked Panthers taking on a team that is still trying to find its footing again in the Central League. Still, the Panthers are coming off a short week, having played Saturday evening and now strapping on the pads for a Thursday evening tilt. Head Coach Kevin Clancy and his staff will continue to preach good habits and good technique are paramount regardless of the opponent, as the Panthers look to follow their longtime mantra of, “Let’s get a little bit better every week.”
If you can’t make the game you can always watch it LIVE right here on Havenfootball.net or You Tube or you can check out the archived broadcast if you were unable to see it in person at George L. King Field. Either way, we look forward to another exciting night of football as Strath Haven begins their stretch run on the 2024 regular season. Go Panthers!
