Chester and Strath Haven will meet on a football field for only the second time in history Saturday.
In a battle of old school and new school, longtime Panthers coach Kevin Clancy leads his team into the Chester-Upland Athletic Complex to play the Clippers, who are under the direction of first-year coach Dennis Shaw.
It’s two 12-1 teams, Delco against Delco, and it’s for the District 1 Class 5A championship. The game of the year in the county, it marks the fourth time two local programs have clashed for a district title.
What more can be said?
“Win,” Chester senior Dominic Toy said after practice Friday. “That’s it.”
The dichotomy between Chester and Strath Haven is fascinating. While the Clippers have never before made it this far in the postseason, the Panthers have captured 13 district championships, all under Clancy’s guidance. They won their most recent title in 2021 over West Chester Rustin.
Chester’s coaches are young and energetic, a new generation leading the way. Strath Haven’s staff has decades of experience, knowledge and pedigree on their resumes.
“We respect Coach Clancy and his staff and know everything they have accomplished,” Shaw said. “We’ve been up against these legends a couple times this year. Coach (Mike) Milano at Downingtown West and last week Coach (Mike) St. Clair at Rustin, now we get to face Clancy. You can’t ask for anything more.”
Chester’s athletic defense will go head to head with Strath Haven’s senior-laden and talented offensive line, which might be the best in the county. Shaw had his players prepare tirelessly for Clancy’s patented Wing-T offense and the three-headed monster of James Fisher, Shane Green and Marco Kaufman at running back, who have combined for 2,934 yards and 39 touchdowns.
“Our guys know that they are going to try to gash you with the trap. When you think they might try to pass, they’re still running. They’re going to try to hit you backside counter and get Fisher off the edge, all of those things we’re aware of,” Shaw said. “It’s alignment and assignment, simple in that way, but the moment you slip up someone might be off for a 40- or 50-yard run, either from a trap or from a counter or a sweep outside. So we’ve got to be on our toes.”
The Panthers haven’t seen a team as balanced offensively as the Clippers, who have dominated opponents with a potent run attack and high-flying aerial game. Sophomore quarterback Jalen Harris has passed for 1,654 yards and 23 touchdowns, and is on pace to shatter multiple Delco career passing records. His favorite targets are 6-foot-5 tight end Toy and wide receivers Emohj Barrett and twin brother Daron Harris, who has 23 catches for 591 yards and six TDs.
The Del Val League champion Clippers have won 12 in a row since losing to Perkiomen Valley in Week 1. They average 32.9 points and have allowed 19 points per game.
The Central League co-champion Panthers have reeled off five straight wins since a 23-20 loss to Marple Newtown Oct. 13. They score an average of 29 points and have yielded a little more than 13 points.
“I respect their program a lot,” said Toy, who is committed to the University of Connecticut. “But they have to come into Exit 6 and we will be ready for them.”
As the top seed Chester earned the right to host every game in the district tournament. Shaw said he has heard from Chester alums all week offering their well wishes and support for his program. He expects the athletic complex to be packed to the gills before the 1 o’clock kick.
“Just to see the community supporting us means a lot,” Jalen Harris said. “Chester is all in it together. It’s definitely family-oriented.”
Kaufman remembers being on the sideline and cheering on his teammates two years ago in the district final, watching in awe as quarterback Sam Milligan converted a two-point play in overtime to lift the Panthers to victory in walk-off fashion.
“Now it is our chance to win,” he said after the Panthers’ 21-19 decision over Springfield in the semifinals. “I idolized all of those guys on that team. To be back in the district final as a senior now is a great feeling.”
The winner advances to the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal round to face either District 12 champion Imhotep Charter or District 2 champion Delaware Valley.
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PREDICTION >> Chester should withstand Strath Haven’s tough ground game and ground out a 26-21 win.
