Epic Panther Football Season Ends Just Shy of Goal Line
Strath Haven struggles to gain yards against an overwhelming Imhotep defense in last Friday night’s game. Photo by Jim Quinn, BQPictures.com
It hits like a ton of bricks every year. Of the hundreds of PIAA football teams who reached the playoffs in early November, only six of them will finish the season with a scoreboard result that will make them smile, with pictures taken holding a golden trophy at Hersheypark Stadium. Strath Haven managed that feat twice, in 1999 and 2000, and they remain the only team in Delaware County to do so. In looking back on the 2021 football season, the hope is that anyone who watched the Strath Haven Panthers this season would not dwell on a 36-0 defeat by Imhotep Charter in the state semifinals last Friday night. Still, as abrupt and as painful as a season-ending loss feels for players and fans in most seasons, the journey is often far more meaningful and enjoyable than the destination.
Yes, the result was lopsided, with the Panthers’ high-powered running game held to more than 200 yards less than their season average, and about 37 points below their scoring average. Imhotep’s star-studded defense was as fast and as talented as advertised, with D1-recruits at nearly every position blanketing Haven ball carriers and receivers all night, and an offense that showed off a depth of talent rarely (if ever) seen at a public boundary school these days. As expected, though, thanks to years-long efforts and leadership by the players and coaching staff, Strath Haven’s determination and grit was evident all the way to the final horn, when their last drive ended two feet short of the goal line. The Panthers committed zero turnovers and had few penalties—they just ran into a stronger, faster, more talented Imhotep team, who are overwhelmingly favored to bring a state title home this Friday in their sixth trip to the finals in the past eight seasons.
Putting aside last week’s result, we’ll choose to remember the incredible highs and occasional lows of the last four months of Friday nights. From Matt Shuler’s 90-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the season against Interboro, to Sam Milligan’s heroic dive to the pylon in double overtime to steal Haven’s twelfth District 1 title, the Panthers gave everyone 15 weeks of tremendous football as they thundered to a 13-2 overall record.
Let’s also not forget to reflect on the hours of hard work in the off-season weight room that let a senior-offensive line—Jack Beck at center, Ethan Barrar and Nick Filios at guard, Nick Millet, Aiden Williams, and Ben Farabaugh at tackle, and tight ends Mason Green and Nate Perlman—dominate to the tune of nearly 5,000 yards rushing and only one sack allowed. Let’s also ponder the many “little things” done so well that had huge impacts on games, like special teams ace Brandon Miller recovering an onside kick by Haverford to squash a Fords comeback, or long snapper Evan Menaker being on target all season.
When we think back on the 2021 Strath Haven Panthers, we’ll remember what it took to dig deep when Springfield took control of the game late in the fourth quarter—with RB/LB Anthony Crawford hobbled the entire second half—and watching that offensive line clear paths for Chase Barlow, Milligan, and Shuler into field goal range so Charlie Shankweiler could bury the biggest kick of his life.
We will remember the inspired effort from Nate Perlman on Senior Night, when he took over the game vs. Lower Merion. We’ll recall timely turnovers forced and recovered by underclassmen Bobby Fooskas, Chase Nangle, Austin Conner and Aiden Sutherland. We’ll pause to appreciate the enormously improved, hard-hitting and confident defense that bottled up speedy runners from Upper Merion, Marple Newtown, Academy Park, and West Chester Rustin through this year’s fantastic playoff run. And the list goes on…
Those on-field accomplishments are a byproduct of the players’ hard work and high character, and the consistency of a coaching staff that has been working together for decades. Head Coach Kevin Clancy continues to add to his record-setting win total in Southeastern PA, but he’s the first to deflect credit to the rest of his staff, players, and families who continue to support the program during and after their playing days at Strath Haven. The 2021 edition of the Panthers have added their own page to Strath Haven’s storied tradition of winning. And with eight starters/regular contributors returning on defense next season, commitment from the current underclassmen during offseason lifting sessions could vault Haven right back near the top of the Central League and District 1 in 2022.
Those who listen to the broadcasts or view the website on www.havenfootball.net have heard this already, but special “Thank You’s” go out to Athletic Director Pat Clancy, the Haven Gridiron Club, the Haven Marching Band, Strath Haven Cheerleaders, The Swarthmorean, and the many sponsors of the website for continued support of the program and broadcasts.
Most of all, we are thankful that the 2021 District 1 5A Champion Strath Haven Panthers gave us lots of reasons to smile since mid-August, and for many years to come. Congratulations and good luck to our 16 graduating senior student athletes! See you in August 2022!
