Blocking (quarter)back Milligan helps clear path to Haven victory

NETHER PROVIDENCE — Sam Milligan encapsulated what it means to be a Strath Haven football player with one inordinate play from a quarterback.

It had nothing to do with the junior’s ability to throw or run the ball.

Milligan, who wears many hats for the Panthers, became the lead blocker on running back Matt Shuler’s 24-yard touchdown run in the second quarter Friday night. Milligan handed the ball to Shuler and started looking for someone to hit. He engaged with Academy Park’s Eric Willis, one of the top defensive backs and all-around players in Delco, and blocked the Knights senior from getting anywhere near Shuler.

As Shuler crossed the goal line Milligan drove Willis into the turf. The score put Haven ahead to stay and it was the turning point that put the No. 2 Panthers in complete control of their District 1 Class 5A semifinal bout with the sixth-seeded Knights. Haven dominated the second half and rolled to a 34-6 win.

“That felt great,” Milligan said. “Our O-linemen do it every day, our running backs do it every day, so it’s nice to be able to get in on that, too. Their whole team was fast, just a bunch of great athletes. I know that Matt’s behind me and he’s going to get in regardless of what I do. It makes it a little bit less stressful for him.”

Shuler amassed a game-high 107 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. He was not surprised to see Milligan taking matters into his own hands on his first scoring run.

“He’s an amazing player and he does literally everything,” Shuler said. “He can run, he can throw the ball, he’ll do literally everything for the team.”

Milligan also shined defensively in the secondary, covering AP’s fleet-footed wide receivers. Oh, and he had a 47-yard punt and was the holder on extra points.

“That’s all attitude and hustle right there,” senior running back Chase Barlow said of Milligan’s key block. “I love having him on my team. He did that for me against Radnor a couple weeks ago and it was the best play of the game. Personally, those are my favorite types of plays and to see him doing that is great. He’s a quarterback, hustling all the way downfield. He’s got a lot of heart and determination.”

The Panthers will play for a district championship for the first time since 2010 next week when they travel to No. 1 West Chester Rustin, which defeated fifth-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh, 19-14.

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