Tag Archives: strath haven

Delco Football In Review … Games of the Year

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This list is in no particular order … Maybe I’ll add to it later when I get some free time.

Enjoy, debate and discuss…

1. Interboro 22, Academy Park 21 (District One Class AAA semifinal): The Bucs were dead in the water … so it seemed. Trailing by 13 points midway through the fourth quarter, Interboro stormed back with under five minutes to play and scored 14 unanswered points. After getting pummeled by the Knights two weeks earlier, not many people saw the comeback brewing. Maybe Interboro was a team of destiny all along …

2. Ridley 27, Garnet Valley 17: The Green Raiders trailed 17-7 going into the fourth quarter. With first place in the Central League at stake, the Green Raiders forced three Garnet Valley turnovers over the final several  minutes of play. Ridley opened three consecutive series with a short field. Rich Coia’s touchdown scamper was the difference. Though Ridley’s season ended prematurely in the District One Class AAAA second round, this game “made” its season. It was at that moment I realized they had something special brewing.

3. Haverford 42, Strath Haven 36: One of the best back-and-forth affairs in Delco this season, the Fords outslugged the Panthers in a critical game for both teams. Had Strath Haven won, the Panthers could have potentially set themselves up for a better seed in the District One Class AAA (instead, as the No. 8 seed, they were blown out by Pottsgrove).

Leyden caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter to give the Fords their seventh win of the season, moments after Strath Haven had rallied all the way back from a three-touchdown deficit. Leyden hauled in a pass from quarterback Eddie Durkin and sprinted to the end zone for the game-winning score.

“The best game I’ve ever covered,” said Daily Times’ resident Canadian-born sports writer, Matt Chandik, who believes Kevin Leyden deserves an award for being awesome at everything he does.

4. Interboro 14, W.C. Henderson 12 (District One Class AAA championship): This game is fresh in everyone’s mind. The Bucs relied on stingy defense, timely first downs and tremendous special teams to claim their first district title. Interboro, for lack of a better term, punched Henderson in the mouth and the Warriors, while they hung around, really never really knew how to respond. It was an epic win for Interboro and the Del Val League in general, and a win that Steve Lennox could retire off of if he so chooses (I’m not implying anything … I’m just saying, it’s a good way to go out for any coach who’s been around as long as Lennox).

5. Ridley 7, Springfield 3: Many people trashed this game for being boring or uneventful, but it still goes down as my favorite game to cover. It was, to use a tired sports cliche, a true heavyweight battle. Rich Coia had a long touchdown run in the first quarter … and that was just about it as far as offense was concerned. A definitive statement game for Ridley’s defense.

6. Episcopal Academy 21, Haverford School 14: The Churchmen put the cap on one of the most memorable seasons of Delco football in the last decade at “EA-Haverford Day” … Just being there, soaking in the incredible atmosphere, is a moment that I will remember for quite some time. EA trailed in the game (a rare sight), but roared back to score 14 unanswered points. Haverford School proved to be a formidable foe for the No. 1 team in Delco.

Adam Strouss told me: “There was no way we were losing that game.”

….

Three Delco teams survive first round of district playoffs

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In case you missed it…

  • Ridley, Academy Park and Interboro have moved on in their respective District One tournaments. Garnet Valley, Haverford High, Springfield and Strath Haven were bounced.
  • No. 16 Wissahickon stunned No. 1 Downingtown East. Personally, I always felt East was sort of overrated, so I’m not entirely shocked (I never thought East was at EA’s or Ridley’s level. Just an opinion, don’t bring out the torches and pitchforks). Anyways, it’s the first time a top seed in District One Class AAAA was upset by a No. 16 seed since … 2010. Sorry to bring that up, Ridley guys.
  • Ridley’s core of seniors finally have their first playoff win
  • Interboro-Academy Park Part II is set for next week. This time, the game is at AP. Both cruised to victory Friday night. Interboro dominated from the outset, while the Knights erased a 10-7 halftime deficit on the way to a 35-23 win.
  • Strath Haven lost to Pottsgrove in the first round for the second year in a row. The Panthers finished the season below .500. I believe it’s been a good 20 years, maybe more, since that last happened. In 2009, Haven went 5-5. I’ll have to contact the Havenfootball.net guys.
  • Springfield coach Tom Kline has 15 wins in two seasons, but he’s 0-2 in the postseason.
  • For Haverford, it’s 0-2 all-time in playoff competition. Both losses have come at the hands of Central Bucks South.
  • If you’re looking for an RB to watch in District One, check out C.B. South sophomore Josh Adams. He’s about 6-5 and gangly looking, but good gosh can he run. Though he is tall, he stays low to the ground and is fast. He is impossible to bring down one-on-one. Did I mention he’s a sophomore?
  • So, to sum up, next week it’s Interboro at Academy Park and Spring-Ford at Ridley. Delcotimes.com will probably be right back at Academy Park for live stream action. If Ridley and Interboro keep winning, there will not be a Thanksgiving game this season. I think both teams wouldn’t mind.
  • Speaking of Turkey Day, the Haverford-Upper Darby game is on after Haverford was eliminated tonight.

Super 7 Week 5

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Episcopal Academy, much to the chagrin of those who portend bad things to come for EA because of this ridiculous idea they aren’t very good because they’ve played “nobodies,” stays at No. 2 ahead of Ridley. Again, you can go 2a and 2b. Ridley-Garnet Valley next week likely determines the No. 1 spot

Springfield and Strath Haven are out for this week. Yes, I know Springfield won in overtime, but I expected a three-or four-touchdown win against Upper Darby. So, yes, even if you win, you can be kicked out of the Super 7. Why? Because it makes sense in this scenario. Haverford School, which debuts at No. 6, and Interboro at No. 7 have been playing very well as of late.

Haverford High and Cardinal O’Hara stay where they were.

1. Garnet Valley (4-0)

2. Episcopal Academy (4-0)

3. Ridley (4-0)

4. Haverford High (3-1)

5. Cardinal O’Hara (3-1)

6. Haverford School (2-2)

7. Interboro (3-1)

Analysis: Ridley-Strath Haven

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Thanks to Delcofootball.com contributor Matt Chandik for punching up some post-game analysis of the highly anticipated Ridley-Strath Haven game, one in which the Green Raiders dominated, 32-14.

When Strath Haven had the ball…

The Panthers couldn’t do much except throw the ball short. Kevin Mohollen was 5-for-7 for 45 yards and a late touchdown to Kevin Sherry. Besides that, though, Ridley’s defense dominated. That was especially true on runs to the Green Raiders’ D’s left side, where the Panthers averaged 2.63 yards per carry on eight carries.

Haven throwing deep didn’t work well, either, because Mohollen overthrew receivers on both of his interceptions. Nick Eufrasio‘s INT came on what looked like Cover 2 Man where Eufrasio drove hard on the ball from his safety spot. Mike Crowley‘s pick looked more like Cover 3 or Cover 4 as Crowley and a couple teammates almost had to fight over who called who off for the interception. Strath Haven fullback Tevon Howie credited Ridley’s linebackers’ speed and quickness for shutting down the Panthers’ running game, and he had a good point, as outside runs to the left only averaged 3.0 yards per carry. Haveb had a little more luck up the middle, but 3.46 yards per carry isn’t exactly what Kevin Clancy had in mind. Strath Haven needed, on average, eight yards to go on 11 third downs, but that didn’t alter the playcalling philosophy as only there were only three third-down passes.

When Ridley had the ball…

The Green Raiders ran well outside and took advantage of their deep opportunities.

On runs to the left, Ridley averaged 4.8 yards per carry. To the right, it was 4.72. Up the middle? 3.47. But Darren Washington’s performance running the ball helped open the passing game, where Mike Crowley was unstoppable. The Green Raiders set up the Haven defense with back-to-back hitches before dialing up a

Ridley’s Mike Smoluk, left, was a big factor both in the secondary and passing game Friday night.

deep post off of playaction. Ed Hild found Crowley in stride, and he also found Mike Smoluk in the end zone from 41 yards out. Smoluk ripped the ball away from safety Mike Moschella for the touchdown. Hild finished 2-for-5 for 91 yards and two touchdowns on deep throws, and one of those incompletions was a drop. He also had another touchdown throw dropped that led to a Kelton Heverly 35-yard field goal. Hild doesn’t have a laser arm, but he’s accurate and does a good job of mostly avoiding interceptions. It looked like his lone pick was an overthrown deep hitch that Moschella grabbed.

“We ran the crap out of the ball last week, and we started off running the ball well (Friday), so I just figured, watching their safeties come up, I thought we had an opportunity with the playaction pass. We we were able to get over the top and execute,” Ridley head coach Dennis Decker said.

—MATT CHANDIK

FAB 5: Week 3

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1. Garnet Valley & Episcopal Academy destroy: Stingy defenses and high-octane offenses fueled the Jags and Churchmen to shutout routs of Upper Darby and Kiski School, respectively.

Garnet Valley limited Upper Darby to 54 total offensive yards, while Jake Irving rushed for three scores. Meanwhile, the seemingly untouchable Churchmen traveled out to Western Pa. and laid the hurt on Kiski. In three games, EA has outscored teams, 134-0.

Quinn Hager hauled in a 50-yard TD pass from Adam Strouss and made all seven of his extra-point attempts. For the season Hager is 17-for-18 in point after tries.

1-a. Matt Galambos, HB/TE/LB, Haverford School: Galambos stepped in an unfamilar spot (the backfield) and delivered amazing results. The senior gave the Fords a lift where they needed it, going for 206 yards and a TD, at Lawrenceville (N.J.).

2. Eddie Durkin (QB) & Kevin Leyden (RB), Haverford High: Durkin was efficient, completing 9 of 11 passes for four TDs and 117 yards, as the Fords out-slugged Penncrest, 53-35. Leyden had a big part in Durkin’s passing success, hauling in four catches for 51 yards. Leyden finished with 194 total yards from the line of scrimmage and four touchdowns.

3. Darren Washington, RB/DB, Ridley: Washington compiled 203 yards on the night in a 31-17 win over Conestoga. He had the most rushing yards of any back in the county over the weekend (Matt Galambos, not included) … and he did so without finding the end zone. All four of Richie Coia’s short-yardage scores were set up by Washington’s long runs.

Strath Haven’s Tevon Howie has produced gaudy numbers for the Panthers, who’ve won two in a row.

4.Tevon Howie, RB/LB, Strath Haven: Following a 152-yard output versus Radnor, Howie stayed hot against Marple Newtown, racking up 136 yards and all three Panthers touchdowns.

5. Chester High. The Clippers secured their first victory thanks in large part to Darrell Nicholson and Dan Hayes. Nicholson gained 163 yards on eight carries, while Hayes registered 105 yards on eight totes. Both players had a pair of scoring scampers.

FAB 5: Top performers from Week 2

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1. Cyrus Barlee, RB, Upper Darby: Barlee was the Royals’ secret weapon against Penncrest. Rest assured, the Central League will start taking notice on Barlee, who exploded for 195 yards and three TDs in UD’s 25-12 win.

2.Tevon Howie, RB/LB, Strath Haven: Howie keyed the Panthers’ 55-point output versus Radnor. He rushed for 152 yards on 17 carries and three touchdowns.

3. Episcopal Academy (everyone). From the dangerous offense, led by

Todd Fairlie has coached Episcopal Academy to an impressive 2-0 start.

quarterback Adam Strouss and wide receiver Ian Strain, to the suffocating defense … EA had all facets of its game working Friday night versus Interboro. The Churchmen blew out the Bucs, 41-0, and have yet to allow a point in two games this year. Interboro managed only 78 total yards of offense.

4. Thadd Smith, ATH, Cardinal O’Hara: The junior athlete rushed for 95 yards, including a 23-yard burst for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put the Lions ahead for good, 13-12, against Haverford School. Smith also was a shutdown defender in the O’Hara secondary.

5. Springfield’s rushing attack. The Cougars amassed 330 yards on the ground en route to a thrilling come-from-behind win at home against Harriton.Rob Murphy scored the decisive touchdown in overtime while Cameron Durham topped the stat sheet with 111 yards.

Friday’s defeat the worst in Strath Haven history

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Strath Haven found out the hard way why many so-called experts believe Imhotep Charter is a  top-10 program in the state regardless of PIAA classification.

Going by margin of victory, the 68-12 defeat is the worst in the program’s storied history, which goes back to 1983, when Swarthmore High School and Nether Providence High School merged and Strath Haven was formed.

Special thanks to Strath Haven historian Mike Mayer from havenfootball.net for providing this information. 

1988 vs Marple Newtown – 47-7
1988 vs Ridley  47-0
1994 vs Springfield  44-0
2012 vs Imhotep Charter 68-13

Football Preview comes out Friday (not Thursday)

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We originally told you on Delcofootball.com that our annual football preview would be published in Thursday’s edition of the Daily Times. Uh, we were wrong there. It’ll be in stores and online FRIDAY, well in time for opening kickoff. Hey, we’re just happy to get it up and out in time…

So, what’s inside?

COVER STORY on concussion treatment at the high school level, what’s being done to prevent them, how head injuries change the way coaches call play, etc. We put in a lot of hard work to give this otherwise familiar story a Delco twist. It’s important to know what measures schools are taking to make sure kids are safe on the gridiron.

FULL TEAM PREVIEWS of all 23 schools in Delaware County, including looks at Harriton, Conestoga and Lower Merion. It’s the type of depth you’ve come to expect with our team previews, and you won’t be disappointedt. Every preview story includes colored pictures (it’s been only 40 years since the advent of color TV!) with “At A Glance” capsule boxes, which provide brief snapshots (returning players, outlook, etc) of every team

TWO-PAGE MASTER SCHEDULE … This is a preview tab staple. Every game that is on the Delco schedule this fall is listed here in alphabetical order (by team(.

OTHER GOODIES like Delco records and stats from the 2011 season.

Also coming Friday…

I’m working on previewing the big games this weekend, with news regarding Ridley and Strath Haven. I’ll also have an inside-back column to usher in the new campaign.