By Brian Carroll, Havenfootball.net
In late August, 27 high school football teams in District 1’s 5A classification set out on a mission to be playing postseason football on November 1. And of the 16 teams now qualified, nearly half the field resides in Delaware County, with five Central League and a pair of Del-Val League participants. With such a Delco-heavy presence, potential rematches were almost a given, so why not start right away with two neighboring schools with a long history of competitive games? The Strath Haven Panthers and Penncrest Lions will kick off the postseason this week, with the winner possibly running into Central League foes like Garnet Valley, Marple Newtown, and/or Springfield in the weeks ahead. And while the Media Bowl trophy sits at Strath Haven for another year, this first-ever playoff matchup between local rivals will be a far bigger reward for the victor this season.
Penncrest arrives in the postseason as winners in five of their last six contests, which included three consecutive shutouts and convincing 28-7 win over 6A playoff qualifier, Ridley. Head Coach Paul Graham, who was at the helm in 2009 when Penncrest last won a playoff game, has an experienced lineup that knows it can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the Central League. Junior quarterback #13 Paul Graham Jr. is the team’s leading rusher, and has the run-heavy, triple option offense clicking of late. Seniors #3 Albert Dada (3 touchdowns last week) and #11 Asher Wynne (three return touchdowns on the season) are dangerous playmakers on jet sweeps and between the tackles, and #19 Kolby Poole is a playmaker from his tight end position. Defensively, Poole and #22 Jeff Cropper are busy at linebacker, while #20 Owen Thompson, #66 Ben Kauffman and #55 Orion Kolleh are disruptive on the front line. Kicker #10 James Mulholland provides another advantage in special teams, as his multiple touchbacks per game has tilted the field in the Lions’ favor all season.
