By Brian Carroll
By the time Strath Haven’s third football game of the season concluded last Friday night, the broadcast team at www.havenfootball.net was looking for somewhere to sit down. A furious, fourth quarter comeback by the Panthers left players, coaches, and fans alike drained and exhilarated, as Haven erased a two-touchdown deficit in the final six minutes to steal a 21-20 victory over Ridley. Yet there is no rest for the weary, as the undefeated Panthers now face another stiff test this week, and with even less time to recover and prepare. With the Media Bowl trophy on the line on Thursday evening, the Panthers will need to be sharp and energized to battle their neighbors to the north, the Penncrest Lions.
Third-year Head Coach Paul Graham brings a run-heavy attack just a few miles south on Route 252 to visit Haven this year, with a pair of bruising running backs and lightning quick quarterback to power his veer, triple-option offense. All-Central senior #2 Matt Ferry is joined this season by another talented runner, #3 Matt Malley, in the backfield, with #1 Nico Tozzi taking snaps under center. Tozzi is a recent baseball commit to Catholic University and will give opposing defenses fits with his quickness on the edges. Ferry and Malley contribute defensively, as well, joining #19 Kolby Poole in the linebacking corps. Junior #7 Albert Dada anchors the secondary, and classmate #25 Kyle Cunningham has been disruptive at nose guard, returning a fumble 95 yards for a touchdown last week in a loss to Garnet Valley. Falling to Garnet Valley last week was the Lions’ first defeat of the season, so they arrive with some confidence after starting the season with consecutive wins (over Sun Valley and Chichester) for the first time in a decade.
