Imhotep Defense Shuts Down Strath Haven, Advances to Hershey @TepFootball @HavenGridiron @Havenfootball

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Willie McGonigle | December 4, 2021

Tre McLeod takes the ball from Mikal Davis (Kathy Leister Photo)

RIDLEY: After shutting down the high-powered Erie Cathedral Prep high power offense last Saturday Imhotep Charter Panthers head coach Devon Johnson knew his team was in for another tough task on Friday night at Ridley High School’s Phil Marion Field.

Their opponent for Friday night’s PIAA Class 5A Semi-Final was the District 1 Champion Strath Haven Panthers and Southeastern Pennsylvania’s all time winningest coach Kevin Clancy and his potent wing-t style offense which is difficult to prepare especially on a six days week and for a defense that hasn’t seen that style of offense all season long.

“Wing-T is something that’s very hard to prepare for they (Strath Haven) run it a very elite level, we’ve been practicing it all week.”

Thankfully for Johnson and Imhotep they possess a wealth of Division 1 caliber talent on the defensive side of the ball. Among them are Penn State commit Keon Wylie,Jamir Reyes (Army) Khalif Kemp (Temple) along with Enai White

White the 6’5 230 DE who holds offers from the likes of Alabama Georgia Oregon Texas A&M just to name a few.

“That’s 11 guys that’s playing for one another, yeah, they are talented, they are smart intelligent, communicate and they want it they have a sense of pride.” Said Johnson of all the division 1 talent.  –

Imhotep also had the luxury of having an assistant coach on their staff who played under Clancy and understood his offense. That allowed Imhotep to be well prepared and come away with another dominating victory this time 36-0 while only allowing Strath Haven to pick up all 139 yards of their offensive yards on the ground.

“One of our assistant coaches (DB Coach Pat Fisher)was the quarterback, we had a great scout look and we were just able to execute everybody did their job and we were able to come out on top” Johnson said.

Not to be outshined by their defense but Imhotep’s massive offensive line consisting of Kaliem Croswell(6’4 334), Giovanni Graham(6’2 315) Enyphe Wooten (5’11 310) Nasim Gray (6’4 290) and Emir Stinette (6’5 340) physically imposed their will on the Haven defense pacing the offense to gain 389 yards of total offense including 106 yards rushing by Tre Mcleod.

The boys up front drew high praise from Johnson who said, “I think they are best O-Line in the state, they are starting to gel right now, and their confidence is through the roof.” Mcleod said that it is nice getting to run behind those guys.

Imhotep’s offense only saw three drives in the game’s opening 24 minutes, but all those drives ended with them getting the ball in the end zone. Rahmir Stewart got the scoring started with his 24-yard run that saw him completely run over a defender on the way to paydirt giving Imhotep the 6-0 lead after one.

Stewart would get in the endzone for a second time with a 4-yard run that made it 12-0 before Mikal Davis connected with RJ Atkinson for 32-yard strike that made it 20-0 at intermission.

Jabree-Wallace Coleman made it 28-0 with his 41-yard gallop. Sybree Williams-Rockeymore capped the scoring with his 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Strath Haven managed to drive all the way down to the Imhotep 1-yard in the games winding moments only to be stuffed by the defense has the clock ran out preserving the shutout.

Imhotep moves on to face Penn-Trafford who took down the Cinderella of the 5A playoffs Exeter Township 49-14. Kick off is scheduled for Friday night 7pm at Hershey Park stadium.

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