By Brian Carroll
With just three games remaining in the 2024 high school football regular season, the temptation for Strath Haven Panther fans will be to look well ahead on the upcoming schedule. An undefeated start to the season for Strath Haven has provided that excitement and luxury, as the Panthers are guaranteed a spot in the play-offs and have their eyes on defending their Central League (2022 and 2023) and District 1 5A (2023) titles. Still, hurdles still appear on the road to a potential championship, and the Panthers cannot afford to look past the Harriton Rams, who visit Haven this Thursday night.
Harriton returns to the Central League after a two-year hiatus, as they played an independent schedule in 2022 and 2023. The Rams managed much improved 4-6 and 5-5 records over those two seasons but have struggled to maintain that progress thus far in 2024. First-year Head Coach Mario Dattilo takes over with a young and inexperienced roster, but one that has improved as the season has progressed. After being shut out in their first three contests, the Rams have found the end zone in each of the last four games, with quarterbacks #12 Spyros Esposito and #2 Joe Mena distributing the ball amongst a handful of receivers in Hariton’s spread attack. #1 Marcus Bates had a pair of long receptions in last week’s loss to Ridley, while #18 Colin Sullivan and #7 Finn McCloud provided a spark, as well. #5 Musyn Dennis is a running and receiving threat from the slot, hauling in a 39-yard score two weeks ago against Conestoga.
