NETHER PROVIDENCE — Strath Haven may look different in certain areas, but the backbone of the team remains intact for the 2023 season.
This offensive line unit has a chance to be special. Seniors Bill Brown, Will Leuthold, Jackson Geremia, Gavin Pilson and Carter Law lined up along with Cole Miller, who transitioned to blocking tight end, and had their way against Interboro Friday night at George King Field.
“It was our first game and we have to fix some things, but I think as the season goes on we’re going to do a great job,” Law said after the Panthers’ 28-7 victory. “It was great to start out the way we did.”
A new stable of running backs led by junior fullback Shane Green, who rushed for 107 yards and two TDs, powered the Panthers, who combined for 258 yards. Senior halfback Mekhi Clark had 52 yards on 10 carries. Senior Marco Kaufman (25 yards, TD) and juniors James Fisher (20 yards, TD) and Vince Hales (24 yards) all produced on limited carries.
Kevin Clancy’s Wing-T offense looked like a well-oiled machine on opening night.
“To be honest, I think the juniors we have coming up are phenomenal football players and they played great tonight,” Law said. “This year alone they’re going to be great, but they’re going to be just as good, if not better, when we’re gone. We want them to step it up this year and tonight they showed a little of what they are capable of doing.”
After losing their best skill players to graduation, this was an impressive first showing for the new guys. And it all started with a great effort by senior Jake Kitchin, who is beginning his first season as the starting quarterback. Kitchin is not a newbie, as he started five games for the injured Ben Milligan last year and gained valuable experience in those starts.
He completed three passing attempts for 73 yards, including a 36-yard fade on fourth down to James Fisher in the first quarter.
“It was huge, it gave me so much confidence,” Kitchin said of getting playing time at QB for a senior-laden Panthers team last year, which earned a share of the Central League title. “I wasn’t as nervous as I was last year. The guys definitely helped me a lot during this progression, making sure I was ready. My coaches and my teammates really got me to this place, and they really believed me.”
Fisher and Hales carried the load out of the backfield on Haven’s second drive of the game. Fisher ran off tackle from three yards out and into the end zone for the first touchdown of the season.
Interboro, which is going through a complete makeover on offense of its own, had trouble moving the ball in the first half. First-year starting QB Mike McLaughlin showed his potential, completing 10 of 14 passing attempts for 86 yards, but the Bucs’ offensive line couldn’t protect him. Haven’s defense was led by the likes of linemen Miller, Hales, Nick Farabaugh and Alexei Gustafson.
“We got a great effort from everybody,” Law said.
The Panthers put the game to bed in the second quarter when they went to hurry-up mode in the final two minutes. Green snapped off a 53-yard run, then followed with a three-yard scoring jaunt with 38 seconds to go before the break. It was 21-0 and the Panthers were on their way to an easy win.
To the Bucs’ credit, they were an improved team in the second half. After they managed only 13 yards of total offense in the first half, McLaughlin connected with Rob Finnegan on a 66-yard reception. Early in the fourth quarter, with the Panthers up 28-0, Timmy Receveur ran a dive and broke through for 68 yards to put the Bucs on the board.
“Overall, I think we played a pretty good football game tonight,” Law said. “We’ll see how it goes next week, though.”
Strath Haven begins Central League play with a game at Springfield. The Cougars opened their season with a 50-6 rout of Cardinal O’Hara and are out to avenge last season’s district playoff loss to the Panthers.
Interboro will host Pottstown at South Avenue Athletic Complex next Friday.
