Strath Haven Returns to Glory Days?
By Joe Stokes
The first week of the PIAA playoff has a familiar look with the triumphant return of the Panthers from Strath Haven High School.
Prior to last years absence from District One AAA action Strath Haven had won eight straight District championships and were crowned Pennsylvania State champions in 1999 and 2000.
This year’s team came into the post season with only two one point overtime losses to AAAA teams in Delaware County’s Central League. Conestoga and Upper Darby were the only teams to spoil what could have been a perfect regular season for these hard fighting Panthers.
Strath Haven qualified for the fourth and final playoff slot last week by defeating cross town rival Penncrest while Interboro defeated Chichester to knock them out of that final position.
The Panthers found themselves up against undefeated PAC-10 League champion Phoenixville in the first round. Friday night’s weather was cool, crisp and dry, perfect for player and fan alike.
Strath Haven stormed out to a quick 28-0 lead with touchdowns by Jared Bradley(2), Kevin Kaminsky and Steve Johnson before the Phoenixville Phantoms could answer with a score of their own by Travis Ford-Bey late in the first half. Although the Phantoms never gave up they could not get closer than a 14 point deficit at any time in this game.
Strath Haven’s 41-21 victory gave coach Kevin Clancy his 226th career win which ties him with Ridley’s Joe McNicholas as Delaware County’s winningest coach.
Strath Haven will travel to Unionville this Friday at 7 PM to do battle with the undefeated Indians for the District One Title.
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Strath Haven and Conestoga only playoff survivors. St Joseph Prep wins Catholic League Showdown
By Joe Stokes
The tenth week of the 2005 Delaware County High School football season provided a mild, crisp and dry weekend for the final games considered for playoff points.
The Strath Haven Panthers win over cross town rival Penncrest combined with the Interboro Bucs victory over Chichester in the Del Val League championship game pushed the Panthers into the AAA District One playoffs. Strath Haven was led by running back Jared Bradley’s four touchdowns to win the annual Media Bowl 28-10. Even with victory the Panthers season would end if Chichester could have broken Interboro’s quest for an eighth straight Del Val Championship. However the Bucs overwhelmed the Eagles with the ground attack of Abeeb Badmus accounting for three touchdowns and 161 yards on the way to a 28-7 Buc victory.
Strath Haven returns to the playoffs after just missing out on points last season. The Panthers will travel to Phoenixville next Friday in hopes of returning to the glory days as state champions in 1999 and 2000.
The Central League Champion Conestoga Pioneers returned to the win column this week with a solid 26-0 victory over Marple Newtown. The Pioneers used a balanced attack on 222 rushing yards and 147 passing to rebound from last weeks upset at the hands of Haverford. Conestoga enters the first round of the AAAA playoffs with a trip to Downingtown East or Neshaminy next weekend.
In other important action top ranked St Joseph Prep (Delaware County Sports.com) used a second half surge to defeat third ranked Cardinal O’Hara in the Catholic League regular season final.
The Prep followed the lead of Jamar Livingston who scored two touchdowns and 134 rushing yards on the way to a 31-7 Red Division victory for the Hawks. The teams are likely to meet again in the playoffs with O’Hara defending last year’s championship.
The next several weeks will continue to provide Delaware County football fans with some great playoff action and Thanksgiving games soon to follow.