Strath Haven Thumps Penncrest to Retain Media Bowl Trophy
Photo: Jim Quinn, BQPictures.com
“The Media Bowl trophy will stay on S. Providence Road…,” was the call last Friday night, as Strath Haven continued their recent dominance in their local rivalry with Penncrest, marching to a 42-6 victory. On a night when the 2000 State Champions were honored, the Panthers put on quite a show, erupting for 35 first-half points and a brick-wall defensive effort to slow down their neighbors to the immediate north. As the Panthers continue to strive toward a top two or three seed in the District 1 5A playoffs, an improved and talented Lower Merion squad is next on the docket.
Lower Merion started this season 3-2, their best start since 1992. That solid start included a tight loss to Haverford in a game that was tied in the fourth quarter, but LM has lost three straight games since. The Aces, led by Head Coach Joe Augustine, have relied heavily on the arm and legs of QB #4 Jack Lledo, who is also a state-level wrestler in the winter months. Lledo has passed for over 200 yards in a game multiple times this year, with favorite targets being WR #3 Lance Kim and WR #8 Andre Gilmore. The rushing attack is led by #24 Jay Zheng, who missed last week’s game versus Ridley, and RB #17 Ben Booker, who follow the lead blocking of excellent two-way tackle #60 Xavier Archawski. Lower Merion has scored 47 or more points in each of their three victories this year, so the Strath Haven defense will need to be on their toes.
In the Media Bowl win over Penncrest last week, Strath Haven reached a little deeper into its well of running backs, and saw (#40) Bob Fooskas—who also has seen time at tight end—explode for 161 yards and three scores on just 10 carries. Solid running from (#24) Chase Barlow, (#35) Austin Conner, and (#4) Sam Milligan reinforced that the Panthers’ big guys up front—tight ends (#84) Mason Green and (#85) Nate Perlman, center (#50) Jack Beck, guards (#53) Nick Filios and (#57) Ethan Barrar, tackles (#73) Jake Millett, (#78) Aiden Williams, and (#68) Ben Farabaugh—have been setting the table so that any of their backfield buddies can eat well. (#15) Aiden Sutherland had two catches and a touchdown to revive the passing game. And with (#72) Jason Williams shutting down the Lions rushing game all evening from his defensive tackle spot, the Panthers cruised to a comfortable victory for the seventh time in eight weeks.
With Lower Merion looking to snap a three-game losing streak, they have a chance to ruin a special night for the Panthers’ senior class, who will be honored before the kickoff of their last regular season home game. Look for the Aces to try to expose the Panther secondary with some big play capability, while the Panthers continue to “ground and pound” when they have possession, though still looking to improve their passing attack leading into the playoffs.
Join us for Senior Night this Friday at 7 p.m. at George L. King Field. If you can’t make the game, you can always listen to our broadcast at Havenfootball.net beginning at 6:45. The game will be available on our archives within a few hours after it concludes. You can also check in on Twitter for scores and video updates.
With the District 1 playoffs looming, Friday’s edition is not expected to be the final game at home for the Class of 2022. Count on us to follow all of the action for the duration of the season, however long it may last.
