By Brian Carroll –
Week 10 of the high school football season has arrived, and it feels like a similar story was written at this same time last year… In 2024, the Week 10 home team had roared through the regular season unblemished, while the visiting team arrived with just one loss and a chance to share the Central League championship. The roles are reversed this season, as the Springfield Cougars are now at the top of the heap thanks to a high-powered offense, with the visiting Strath Haven Panthers and their incredible defense hunting a share of a league championship for a fourth straight season. With Springfield’s unstoppable force and Haven’s immovable object ready to meet this Friday night, fans should be in for a treat.
Springfield sits undefeated atop the Central League thanks to a convincing 28-7 victory at Garnet Valley a week ago. The defense set the tone early, as #10 Maddox Moleski’s interception and #40 TJ Valetti’s fumble recovery set up two first quarter touchdowns for the Cougars. Valetti also had an interception later, as he and linemates #50 Tommy Griffin, #55 Zion Culbreath, and #54 Mike Franks held the Jaguars in check most of the evening. #52 Alex McGinniss and #28 Sebastian Simone have played well as first-year starters at linebacker, while #2 Tanner Coll and #3 Luke Valerio bring experience to the back seven. The Springfield offense remains the big story again this year, averaging a District 1-best 42.8 points per game. Coll and Valerio have each provided multiple 100-yard rushing games and explosive plays, with Valetti’s quick feet and good vision at fullback giving opposing defenses fits all year. Sophomore quarterback #4 John Hopkins has played with poise above his years, as he has been deadly accurate in throws to the flats to wide receiver #5 Mike Nevill and tight end #18 Shane Kilroy. Considering that the 28 points scored last week represents a season low, the Cougars have clearly done a lot of things well on the offensive side of the ball.
Strath Haven will counter the Springfield attack with a fast and fantastic defense, which was again strong in last week’s 42-7 victory over Lower Merion. The Panthers bent a bit against the Bulldogs’ shotgun spread attack, but held them out of the end zone all but once. Haven’s defenders have now held opponents to just 4.4 points per game, third best in all of Pennsylvania. #7 Cole Haly and #15 Luke Mulhern each had nine tackles, and #57 Zach Milligan recorded two tackles for loss. A fourth down sack by #56 Nick Farabaugh in the red zone, and timely interceptions from #22 Grayson LaFrance and #18 Jalen Starr were key stops, as the Panther offense got off to a bit of a slow start. But Haven again showed its depth in the backfield, as five different runners scored touchdowns, including two from #30 Derek Bradley, and a 70-yard sprint from #5 Kasey Hudson. #47 Matt Styer was perfect on six extra point tries, and sailed four kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.
Leading into this week, both teams have lots of reasons to be fired up for a big performance in Week 10. A win for Springfield clinches at least a share of a third straight Central title and the top seed in the District 1 5A playoffs. A Strath Haven victory could clinch a share of the league title if Garnet Valley can knock off Ridley this week, and would also secure the Panthers a top-four seed in the playoffs and a chance to play multiple home playoff games. With a number of very close contests between these two squads over the past few seasons, expect time of possession, halftime adjustments, and turnovers to play a huge role in this one.
Kickoff is set for 7pm on Friday at Springfield High School, so arrive early for what should be a terrific regular season finale! Those not attending in person can follow the livestream beginning at 6:45pm right here on www.havenfootball.net, with more notes and details on probable playoff matchups in the hours and days that follow.
