News

Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame’s Kick-off Classic – Interboro vs Strath Haven

Strath Haven Coach Kevin Clancy and author Dave Burman.

By Dave Burman

Jack Hontz – We Remember!

Webmaster’s note:  This is our second year of Strath Haven football without the fabulous Jack Hontz, Strath Haven’s legendary music director.  We felt this article by David Swanson, published on September 16, 2017, was a great tribute to a great man.  We should note that Jack was a great supporter of our pages and our broadcasts and we miss him so very much. As future generations of students and parents experience Strath Haven without Jack we wanted to make sure they know the story of the storied Marching Band.

By David Swanson

The 420 members of the massive Strath Haven High School Marching Band will fill the football field at this Friday night’s home game to serenade their angel, the late Jack Hontz, who nurtured the band he loved for 34 years by finding a place in it for every student who wanted one.

Hontz, 57, who suffered a fatal heart attack in June, will always be remembered as the all-music, all-the-time muse who inspired one-third of the Wallingford, Delaware County, high school’s 1,200-student body to march in the Panther band as musicians or as members of the honor guard, flag squad, dance team, and dance line.

No prior interest or talent in music was required, said Patrick Murray, one of Hontz’s former students, Class of 2010. Murray now teaches music at Strath Haven and directs the marching band.

As an entering freshman, Murray said, he didn’t play any instruments. “Jack was always about having as many tubas in the marching band as possible. They look impressive. So Jack approached me at the end of my freshman year and said, ‘I could use some more tubas.’”

(click on this link for the full story)

Strath Haven’s Greatest Fan

Every year at the beginning of the season we repeat this article which originally was posted on January 10, 2002. This has been our way of honoring one of Haven football’s most dedicated fans. Hard to believe Jim has been gone almost 17 years.  We miss him but whenever we gaze into the stands we sometimes think we catch just a glimpse of him sitting in his favorite seat. We miss you guy!

(click this link for the full article)

The 50 Yard Line – West Chester East Scrimmage

The weather wasn’t too hot for a mid-August morning in Philadelphia. Humidity was reasonable and the sun was out and there was a breeze blowing often enough to cool one down. The rain gods cooperated by holding off on the downpours until late in the day.

The Junior Varsity took the field first and showed some impressive skills on both offense and defense. Ball handling was crisp and the limited passing as pretty impressive to go along with some very nice runs.

The Varsity squad seemed to have trouble getting their enthusiasm in gear. The ball exchanges between center and QB looked good as did the hand-offs and general play assignments. It took until the third series, with the yard markers on the field, before the Panther varsity started to show a little snap in their game. Execution all the way around looked clean with the usual question marks and concerns that a scrimmage creates.

Season Opener is this Friday night at 7:00 PM at George L. King Field. If you can’t make the game you can always listen to our broadcast right here at Havenfootball.net. Our broadcast will begin at 6:45. The game will be available on our archives within a few hours after the game concludes. You can also check in on Twitter for score updates.

Laminated pocket schedules for 2018 Panthers

By Havenfootball.net Staff

Webmaster’s note: We posted our schedule back on March 29th and a decision was made after that time that Strath Haven would come into line with the other Central League teams and start their home games at 7 PM.  Unfortunately we were unaware of this change until today (8/15/18) and the pocket schedules were made up a few weeks ago.  We have changed our schedules on our web page.  Please make a mental note that ALL Strath Haven football games have a 7 PM kick-off! 

The great people at PNC Bank in Media and Swarthmore have, once again, come through with their sponsorship of these great laminated pocket schedules.  We will have them with us at the at this Saturday’s scrimmage.  We also have placed some at the high school office and District office.  Any schedules left will be placed at the ticket booths and Panther Pit during the first home games on August 24th & 31st.

There is no charge for them but we only have a limited amount so please only take what you need.

Lower Merion Preview

We play the Bulldogs on August 31st. Here is a quick preview from our friends at EasternPAfootball.com:

Head Coach: Evan Breisblatt

Assistant Coaches:

Dave Lloyd
Sean Capkin
Khalil Smith
Joe Augustine
Joe Powel
Kevin Herod

Team Name: Lower Merion Aces

2017 Record: 2-9

(click on this link for the full story)

Interboro Preview

Game opener is against Interboro on August 24th. Here is a quick preview from our friends at EasternPAfootball.com:

Head Coach: Steve Lennox

Assistant Coaches: Mark Burrell, Lou D’Alonzo, Mike Desposito, Gary Mayer, Zac McMenamin, George Zagame

Team Name:  Interboro Bucs

2017 Record: 5-7

(click on this link for the full story)

Marple Newtown Preview

We play the Tigers on October 19th. Here is a quick preview from our friends at EasternPAfootball.com:

After coming off the most successful 3 year run in MNHS history (28 total wins and 5 playoff wins) a share of the Central League title in 2016 for the first time since 1977 in school history, we are rebuilding!We lost in the district semifinals to Unionville. This is the 3rd straight season we have made it to the first round of the state tournament.

Last year: 8-5

Head Coach: Chris Gicking

Assistant Coaches: Harry Gicking, Zach Young, Mike Willard, Josh Crooks, Scott Williams, Mike Paci, Bob Knapp, Trevor Viviani, Anthony Paoletti, Joe Sweeley, Nick Reynolds, Steve Reynolds, Matt Destefano, Pete Rodden, Chris Boggs, Dave Lerro, Tony Lerro, Jim Allsman, Marc Saracino, Joe Rufo, and Dave Bertoline.

This will be our 5th year, 33-16 overall.

(click on this link for the full story)

A note on archived articles

By Havenfootball.net Staff

Just a quick note to our readers about the articles that appear on our web page.  Our home page, the one you are viewing now, can only accommodate a fixed amount of “posts”.  As the season gets more involved the articles will appear, move down the page, and then vanish from the home page.  All posts, however, are stored in our archives.  At the bottom right hand side of this home page is our Archives listing.  It is listed by month.  Simply click on the month you believe the article originally appeared and a list of the articles posted will appear along with the first few lines.  Click on the headline and you’ll get the article, photos and appropriate links.  Enjoy!