By Brian Carroll, Havenfootball.net
Thus far, the 2022 District 1 5A football playoffs have played out as expected on paper. The top four seeds have advanced to the semifinals, resulting in an intriguing rematch from 2021. The #2 seeded Strath Haven will host #3 West Chester Rustin after both teams vanquished a league opponent last weekend, as the undefeated Panthers fought off Springfield, while the 10-1 Golden Knights exacted some revenge on Kennett. And after meeting in an incredible game a year ago, intensity will be high this Friday night in Wallingford.
Rustin’s Mike Sinclair, the school’s only Head Coach since its inception in 2006, brings a stingy defense and powerful rushing attack to George L. King Field this week, both of which have been calling cards for the Golden Knights for many years. A District 1 championship in 2008, and three runner-up finishes since (2018, 2020, and 2021) has a Rustin team hungry to update a championship banner and avenge a double overtime loss to Strath Haven a year ago in the district final. The cast of characters has changed a bit, but the Golden Knights feature three talented running backs in their Wing-T attack. A pair of halfbacks, senior #3 Daimon Jacobs and sophomore #22 Chase Hatton, have nearly identical statistics attacking the edges: Jacobs has 110 carries for 912 yards, while Hatton has rushed 111 times for 870 yards. And if defenses try to key on either of them, senior fullback #10 Antonio Santangelo becomes a problem, as he gashed Kennett for 141 yards last week in the quarter-finals. Sophomore quarterback #10 David McClain is an effective runner and throws well enough to keep defenses honest and has big senior targets #17 Marek Seaman and #5 Jeremy Lynn on his radar. Senior WR/KR #1 Nelson Murray is dangerous in the return game, as well as a big-play man in the pass game. Defensively, Rustin has held both playoff opponents in check, allowing Radnor only 40 yards of total offense while Kennett gained just 163. Seniors #47 Mike Labus and #61 Jaysin Huynh are two-year starters and are solid up front, while Santangelo and Seaman join fellow seniors #52 Jake Law and #54 Connor Corrigan in a busy linebacking corps. The Knights’ familiarity with the Wing-T offense, as well as game film from last year’s matchup, should provide them confidence in preparing for the Panthers.
