By Brian Carroll –
On paper, the records do not look great after Week 1 of the 2026 high school football season. Strath Haven and Penncrest share a border and at the moment share identical 0-1 records leading into their Central League opener. Some untimely mistakes and missed opportunities left both squads in search of their first win after Week 1. With a short preparation week at hand, the Panthers and Lions now dive into their league schedules in the 2026 Media Bowl.
Head Coach Paul Graham brings Penncrest into 2026 fresh off an 8-4 season and the team’s first-ever home playoff win last November. This version of the team, however, has lots of new faces after being hit hard by graduation and is adjusting to an I-formation offense for the first time in several years. Some of that inexperience showed late in last week’s game, as the Lions saw a two touchdown lead evaporate in the final four minutes in a frustrating 22-21 loss to Sun Valley. First-time starters in the offensive backfield include running backs #2 Kevin Graham and #11 Chase Callahan, each of whom ran for over 120 yards and found the end zone in last week’s defeat. When throwing, quarterback #16 Andrew Luber-Solic will target #14 Steele Persichetti (2 catches for 23 yards), #1 Will Giles, and #6 Matt Trotter. Seniors #57 Charlie Bevan, #59 Jack Radcliffe, and #75 Jack Ryan pave the way on the offensive line, and helped pile up 252 rushing yards and 18 first downs last Friday. Defensively, Trotter, Callahan, and Graham join #4 Dylan Craddock as an active linebacker corps, while Giles and #9 Brody Allison anchor the secondary.
For the Panthers, a stiff test in last week’s opener against a fast and talented Chester squad also resulted in “what-could-have-been” feelings, as Strath Haven came up short in a closely contested 22-10 loss. After falling behind 16-0 early, the Panthers roared back on a 29-yard field goal from Matt Styer, some tough running from #2 Derek Bradley and #3 Landon Barlow (132 yards), and some terrific connections from quarterback #8 Jake Plunkett and #11 Jalen Starr (4 catches/59 yards/touchdown). Trailing 16-10 with just four minutes remaining, the Panthers fell just short of taking the lead as the Chester defense stiffened at the 11-yard line. Still, the defense had some big moments in stopping Chester twice on fourth downs, including one in the red zone. The Panthers also forced two turnovers when #84 Tyler Slaughter jarred the ball into the arms of #7 Cole Haly, and a red zone interception snared by fellow senior #80 John Reilly.
With both teams looking for their first victory of the season, expect game plans that will focus on ball control and methodical drives in an attempt to “shorten” the game. Penncrest may see some optimism in their running game after last week’s performance, and Strath Haven will continue to share the ball with several backs in their Wing-T attack and perhaps continue the quick-hit passes that worked well last week. Either way, with the Media Bowl trophy on the line, expect emotions to run high as Penncrest would love to keep the hardware on Barren Road for the first time since 2015.
This year’s Media Bowl is on a special Thursday night football schedule. If you can’t make the game you can watch it right here at havenfootball.net. So, whether attending in person or catching up on the website, the Panthers and Lions will be a fun way to kick off a holiday weekend! Go Panthers!
