By Brian Carroll –
When local high school football rivals get together, sometimes the records just do not matter much. At this moment in the Central League season, Strath Haven is on a bit of a roll, while Marple-Newtown has struggled early with a challenging schedule. Yet one does not have to look back very far to see seasons in the recent past where the “favored” team in this annual contest ends up on the wrong end of the score by evening’s end. And with playoff and/or Central League title hopes still within reach for both teams, expect the Panthers and Tigers to provide another competitive edition in their football rivalry this Friday night in Newtown Square.
Head Coach Chris Gicking and the Tigers play host for the second week in a row, and are still looking for their first victory in 2026. The Tigers were hit especially hard by graduation last year, and are leaning on several underclassmen with limited varsity experience. Still, Marple-Newtown fans have had reasons for optimism in recent weeks, as the Tigers limited Springfield to a season low in points, and stayed within two scores of undefeated Garnet Valley for a chunk of the second half last week. In the 49-21 loss to Garnet Valley, junior quarterback #3 Nick Link threw three touchdown passes a week ago, finding senior co-captain #2 Phillip Fingo twice and #5 Jake Carlson on a 39-yard gadget play. #13 Jack Dreger handles most of the carries, and #52 Jonel Hoxhaj, the only returning starter on the offensive line, joins fellow seniors #57 Cayden Hall and #53 Chris Chambers to anchor the middle. Defensively, #23 Jacob Maida returns at linebacker, joining Link, Fingo, and #34 Ryan Miller. Expect #54 Dylan Campbell and #55 Cole Ryan to be disruptive on the defensive line, while #10 Jack Hogan holds down the secondary with Carlson and Dreger.
Strath Haven arrives on a four-game winning streak, the most exciting of which came seven days ago with a hold-your-breath 28-14 comeback over Haverford. #5 Kasey Hudson’s 25-yard scoring run handed the Panthers an early lead, but the Fords responded with touchdowns to end the first half and begin the second half. But the defense, led up front by #3 Landon Barlow, #62 Chase Shuster, #84 Tyler Slaughter, and #57 Zach Milligan (2 sacks) held Haverford in check the rest of the way, and #11 Jalen Starr’s electric 71-yard kickoff returned sparked a Haven rally. Barlow (84 rushing yards) slammed his way into the end zone early in the 4th quarter, and after a tremendous punt by Shuster into a stiff wind, the Panthers went back to work late. Barlow’s second score of the night from the 2-yard line with 1:24 remaining regained the lead, and Hudson’s 32-yard house call with an interception provided the final margin. #80 John Reilly recovered a fumble and swatted away two passes, and #7 Cole Haly led the way with 12 tackles and a game-ending interception.
Leading into this week, the Panthers will again be tested to keep their focus on the task at hand. A date with undefeated Garnet Valley looms in two weeks, but Marple-Newtown always provides a stiff test, especially if the Tigers can get an early lead. Looking to pull a head-to-head upset circa 2023, anticipate the Tigers to dig into their bag of tricks, and use the short passing game to control the clock and move the chains. For Strath Haven, Head Coach Kevin Clancy and his staff will continue to stress the improved blocking in the run game, especially from the backs and tight ends. The Panthers will also have to clean up some penalties that have disrupted momentum in recent weeks if they want to continue a push toward the District 1 5A playoffs.
The weather looks promising for Friday evening, so the Panthers could use all the crowd support they can get for their third road game of the season. For those unable to join the party in person, tune in to the livestream beginning at 6:45pm on www.havenfootball.net as the Panthers and Tigers renew their annual rivalry. Go Panthers!
