8-1 Panthers To Face Radnor Raptors
#23 Matt Shuler gained yards against Harriton a few weeks ago. Photo by Jim Quinn, BQPictures.com
Time flies when you are having fun, and it seems like just yesterday that Strath Haven was lining up for Week 1 of the 2021 football season. Wins in eight of the last nine weeks have been a pleasure to watch, and suddenly, in what seems like a blink-of-the-eye, the Panthers have just one more contest before the District 1 5A playoffs begin. Senior Night last week was quite a show, as Strath Haven rolled to a 42-6 win over Lower Merion, and now the Radnor Raptors are the only remaining obstacle to a 9-1 season, a second place finish, and possibly several games of home field advantage in the playoffs.
Radnor, like many 5A teams in the Central League, has been challenged with injuries this season, forcing seven players into two-way roles. Leading the charge for Head Coach Tom Ryan is #7 Damian Falcone, a three-year starter in the offensive backfield and at inside linebacker. #70 Dominick Lauducina anchors the offensive and defensive lines, and #14 Jude Wallin has been solid in his first year at quarterback. Radnor’s best threat for the big play comes from #2 Amir Byrd, a junior who can not only do some damage as a slot receiver, but scored twice last week against Haverford via a 97-yard kickoff return, and a 27-yard interception return. Throw in reliable receiver, #22 Tommy Deshan, on offense, and aggressive linebackers #6 CJ Murphy and #11 Sammy Carter, and Radnor can more than hold their own with most Central League opponents this year.
Strath Haven stretched their winning streak to four games with a convincing 42-6 win over Lower Merion last Friday. #23 Matt Shuler was explosive on Senior Night, finding the end zone twice on the ground, and once through the air on a 54-yard strike from #4 QB Sam Milligan. Fellow senior #85 Nate Perlman had an inspired performance on the defensive side of the ball, with six tackles, several hurries, and a momentum-shifting sack on fourth-down that helped the Panthers all but put the game away. #40 Bob Fooskas topped the 100-yard rushing mark for the second straight week and #24 Chase Barlow ran hard as always, scoring his team-leading 15th touchdown of the season.
Last season’s game with Radnor was a shootout, with Strath Haven coming away with a wild 56-27 victory as both teams managed several big-play touchdowns. Look for the Panthers linebackers and secondary to do a better job tackling the Raptors’ backs and receivers this week, and continue sharing the ball with several ball carriers to stay balanced on offense. While the Raptors will miss the playoffs this year, be sure that they will look to play spoiler to the Panthers’ playoff seeding, while still preparing for their annual tilt with Lower Merion on 11/6/21.
With Radnor’s athletic facilities still under construction, this Friday’s game will be played at Teamer Field at Conestoga High School. If you can’t make it in person, catch the audio broadcast at 6:45 p.m. for pre-game and a 7 p.m. kickoff. The game will be available on our archives within a few hours after the game concludes. You can also check in on Twitter for scores and video updates. The Panthers need a win to nail down a #2 or #3 seed in the District 1 5A playoffs, which should hopefully set them up for several more weeks of football in 2021!
