By Matt Smith
Springfield at Strath Haven, Friday, 7
The Cougars (8-0) look to finish the regular season unbeaten for the second straight year and claim another outright Central League championship. They steamrolled Conestoga last week, 52-0. All-Delco running back TJ Valletti scored five touchdowns, giving him 18 on the season: 14 rushing, two receiving and two on interception returns. Finn Delaney caught a touchdown pass, and Mike Neville rushed for 89 yards on just three carries.
Springfield might be even better than last year, when the Cougars cruised through the regular season and won four straight games in the District 1 Class 5A tournament to capture the first district title in program history. This fall, they’ve registered six straight shutouts and allowed just 10 points in eight games. The last team to score against the vaunted Cougars defense was Marple Newtown, which managed a field goal Sept. 3.
The Panthers (6-2) will try to rebound from a 17-14 loss to Ridley, their first defeat since opening night against Chester. The Panthers struggled running the ball, with leading rusher Landon Barlow held to 21 yards on 12 carries despite scoring twice on 1-yard plunges. Quarterback Jake Plunkett completed five of 10 passes for 87 yards, including a pair of long connections with Jalen Starr.
The Panthers have one Central League loss. A win Friday would give them a share of the title.
