By Brian Carroll – Havenfootball.net
If it seems like this article was written already in 2023, well… About a year ago, the Strath Haven and Garnet Valley football programs met in Week 7, both undefeated in the Central League at the time. Garnet Valley was in the midst of a 46-game winning streak in the league dating back to 2017, and Strath Haven was coming off an undefeated 2022 Central League run, as well. In a back-and-forth tilt, the Panthers outlasted Garnet Valley for their first-ever win in Glen Mills, and ended up securing a share of the 2023 league crown with Springfield and Garnet Valley. This year, both teams (along with Springfield) once again sit atop the Central at 4-0, and are ready for the rematch this Friday night in Wallingford.
Garnet Valley, fresh off a convincing 49-28 victory over Lower Merion in which they led 35-7 late in the third quarter, again brings a high-powered, triple-option offense that has been balanced well this season by an effective passing attack. Behind good protection from center #62 Joe Anzelone, #71 Aiden Misiewicz, and #77 Brayden Green, QB #1 Luke O’Donoghue leads the team in rushing yards, and has thrown for 774 yards and 10 touchdowns already through four games. Favorite receiving targets include split end #4 Caeden Koehler (16 catches/435 yards/5 TDs), slotback #20 Nolan Carroll (3 receiving touchdowns), and tight end #44 Paxton Hunt (averaging 31 yards per catch). #3 Gavin Rosello has stepped up nicely at running back, contributing 106 yards and a touchdown last week, as the Jaguars have dealt with injuries to senior runners #8 Dean Koehler and #21 Luke Vaughn.
