By Brian Carroll
With Strath Haven Head Coach Kevin Clancy wrapping up career win number 345 last weekend, good for eighth place in Pennsylvania high school football history, observers around the state are again taking notice that Strath Haven could once again be a team at or near the top of the Central League this season. Still, Coach Clancy will continue to preach his “Let’s get better one week at a time,” philosophy, and the Panthers will certainly have to abide that quickly, as a hungry Springfield Cougar squad looks for a measure of revenge this Friday at Springfield High School.
Head Coach Chris Britton has a confident, experienced team that also expects to challenge for Central League and District 1 titles this season, and a 50-6 shellacking of Cardinal O’Hara last Friday would certainly reinforce that idea. With the graduation of three-year starting QB Jake Rama, Springfield has turned to a more run-heavy approach, with longtime Interboro coach Steve Lennox contributing heavily to the offensive philosophy. The I-formation with a wingback pummeled O’Hara for 360 rushing yards, with big games from running backs #34 Nate Romano (112 yds, 2TDs), #23 Luke Valerio (111 yds, 2 TDs), #5 Mike Turner (43 yds), and #22 Tanner Coll (29 yds, TD). Mix in big play specialists like #1 Chris Dolan (38 yd run) and #11 Vinny Valerio (70 yd punt return TD) with a senior-laden offensive line, and Springfield has a chance to keep opposing defenses off-balance all season.
