Springfield, Strath Haven matchup a throwback treat

The first meeting between Springfield and Strath Haven was Sept. 1. It feels like forever ago.

It was the first Central League contest in what would become a shared championship journey. In Week 2, both teams were in the process of figuring out who they would become.

The defensive slugfest wasn’t decided until defensive back Ben Milligan knocked down a Ryan Whitaker pass in the final seconds of regulation to preserve a 19-15 Strath Haven win.

There was plenty of drama in the second half.

The Panthers were ahead 7-0 at halftime and regained the lead with 1:46 to go in the fourth quarter when Marco Kaufman ran 29 yards to the end zone. The Panthers put together two impressive drives and stunned the Cougars, who were seemingly in control after they had scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter.

Springfield senior running back Mike Turner ran for 138 yards, including a 51-yard scoring jaunt less than two minutes into the third. Later in the quarter, Whitaker connected with fullback Nate Romano on a 12-yard TD pass to give Springfield a 15-7 advantage.

Early in the fourth quarter the Panthers recovered a fumble, which set up a short scoring run by Mekhi Clark with 8:58 to go. After Springfield’s offense stalled on its next possession, Haven quarterback Jake Kitchin completed a 36-yard pass to AJ Glavicic and, five plays later, Kaufman crossed the goal line for the winning points.

It was a battle, one neither team forgets. It’s appropriate that No. 2 Strath Haven and No. 3 Springfield meet again Friday with a trip to the District 1 Class 5A championship on the line. Kickoff at George L. King Field is at 7.

The Panthers and Cougars have skilled running backs and outstanding offensive lines. Strath Haven’s all-senior line features Carter Law, Bill Brown, Will Leuthold, Jackson Geremia and Gavin Pilson. Cole Miller is essentially the sixth man up front, a converted lineman who is the Panthers’ top blocking tight end.

Kaufman, James Fisher and Shane Green are a three-headed monster running the ball, collectively averaging seven yards per carry, per Havenfootball.net. They have 37 touchdowns on the ground.

Springfield’s brutes include seniors Gus Bryan, Dean Brown, Mike Miller and Lucas Aaron, as well as junior Ryan Benjamin. Ryan Johnston is a blocking and receiving threat who caught a 75-yard TD last week. Turner is awesome, running for 1,335 yards and 16 TDs. Romano (812 yards, 14 TDs) is a bulldozer who is nearly impossible to tackle on first contact.

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Springfield quarterback Ryan Whitaker, left, and lineman Gus Bryan celebrate a 20-7 win over Marple Newtown in the District 1 Class 5A quarterfinals last week. (PETE BANNAN-MEDIANEWS GROUP)