Interboro’s (20) Mason Marshall-Speights runs in the 4th quarter against Strath Haven Friday night. (PETE BANNAN-MediaNews Group)
By Matt Smith –
JJ Clark was down on one knee, trying to hold it together.
The Interboro senior had spent Friday night doing the dirty work up front, blocking on nearly every play. He helped the Bucs accomplish something that had eluded the program throughout his high school career: winning a playoff game.
It was an emotional payoff for Clark and his fellow seniors, who had endured three straight losing seasons before turning things around with a 9-1 regular season. Friday gave them a postseason moment to cherish.
The No. 8 Bucs defeated ninth-seeded Strath Haven, 20-6, in the opening round of the District 1 Class 5A tournament. It was Interboro’s first district playoff since 2022, when it captured the District 1 Class 4A championship
Clark had a hard time holding back tears. Knowing Friday was perhaps his final game at South Avenue Athletic Complex, he couldn’t help thinking about everything he and his fellow seniors had gone through to bring the program to this point.
(click on this link for the full story)
