By Brian Carroll, Broadcaster
On to Round 2… Not only Round 2 of the District 1 5A football playoffs, but the Strath Haven Panthers will now have the added challenge of facing an opponent for a second time this season. As the #2-seeded Panthers pounded out a convincing 35-0 whitewash of Upper Merion last Friday night, the possibility of facing #7-seeded Marple-Newtown in the quarterfinals. And when the Tigers held on for a 21-14 victory over #10 Phoenixville, it set the stage for what should be an entertaining and challenging Central League rematch from early September.
Marple Newtown has rebounded nicely after a 1-2 start. Following lopsided losses to Strath Haven and Garnet Valley, the Tigers have rattled off seven victories in the last eight weeks. Head Coach Chris Gicking continues to rely heavily on All Delco running back #2 Charlie Box, and the offensive line, with all new starters at the start of the season, has improved with experience. The same can be said of sophomore quarterback #10 David Bertoline, who has eleven games under his belt as a starter, rather than just one game of experience when the Panthers saw him in early September. The Tiger defense, led by defensive end #55 Damien Bogsch up front, has been stingy as well, allowing just 18.5 points per game overall, and holding eight of their eleven opponents to 16 points or fewer.
