The Fifty Yard Line - Playoff, Garnet Valley

November 7, 2007

This article hasn't appeared in a couple of weeks due to scheduling difficulties and just finding the time to get it written but it's playoff time and the second season begins.

The Panthers have come off a remarkable two weeks but, in fact, really one week as they were forced to play and defeat a strong Conestoga team and then, four day later, a Penncrest team.  That would be no small task under the best of circumstances but Haven found itself playing two teams that could pass the ball effectively as well as gain yards on the ground when needed.  

Garnet Valley has been Strath Haven's faithful scrimmage partner for many years.  The first Saturday of the first practice week would always find these two teams knocking each other out.  While they have scrimmaged for years GV never officially played SH.  While the Panthers had great winning seasons and two state championships the Jaguars struggled to build their program.  Last year Garnet Valley had a terrific year finding themselves in the playoffs. They won District 1 AAA last year only to lose their first State playoff game to Pottsville (who went all the way to the finals losing to General McLane). 

With the disintegration of the Del Val League GV found itself shopping for opponents.  They loaded up on all AAA teams and have had a strong season finishing 8-1 and receiving a 4th seed in the playoffs.  Their only loss coming from powerhouse and #1 seed Unionville.  However the quality of their opponents is leaving questions for fans as to how good the Jaguars are.  Only one of their nine opponents had a winning record.  The eight teams Garnet Valley defeated have a combined 19 wins and 64 losses. The Panthers by contrast have beat teams with a combined record of 32 wins and 40 losses.

The Panthers are going to have into come into Friday night's contest prepared to set the standard as they did against Conestoga.  They must control the football on offense using long punishing running drives that eat up the clock and end up in 6 points. While the Jaguars may not have been seriously tested often during their season they are very well coached and they have last year's successful playoff experience.  The team with the fewest turnovers and penalties will win this game. 

Kick-off is at 7:00 PM at George L. King Field.  Remember the main parking lot is closed for the construction project. This game will be well attended and the weather is going to be very cold.  Get their early and wear lots of warm clothing.  If you can't make the game you can listen to right here on havenfootball.net.  The broadcast will begin at 6:45 PM.

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