By Brian Carroll, Havenfootball.net
Are you ready for some football? Coming off a memorable and incredibly impressive 2021 season, the players, coaches, and fans of the Strath Haven Panthers should be shouting, “YES!!!!” As the defending District 1 5A champions, repeating last year’s success will be no easy feat with every opponent preparing to give the silver and black their most inspired effort. And after a nine month wait to once again hear the crack of the pads, the shrill screams of referees’ whistles, and the booming tones of the Strath Haven Marching Band, the 2022 season gets underway this Friday evening.
As has been the case for the past several years, the Panthers open their slate with a tough neighbor to the east, the Interboro Bucs. Head Coach Dennis Lux and his staff that includes several Interboro alumni have rebuilt some energy and talent over on South Avenue and are looking to build on some late-season momentum that saw the Bucs leap into the 2021 district playoffs. Coach Lux will count on senior QB Julian Bulovas as a second-year starter to guide the offense that averaged nearly 30 points per game over the last four games of 2021. The Bucs will likely have a run-heavy attack, led by senior lineman Matt Galanaugh paving the way for tailback Abu Kamara, who is garnering interest from some FBS and FCS programs. On the defensive side of the ball, Galanaugh is joined by an impact defensive end Tolu Awoyemi, while senior CB Eben Affainie is expected to anchor the secondary.
