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Strath Haven hoists school’s 13th District Title, topping Chester 28-20

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 25, 2023

Chester, PA – This afternoon two Delco teams took to the field to compete for the District One 5A title. The host of the game, the Chester Clippers (12-2), squared off against the Strath Haven Panthers (13-1). This was the second ever meeting between both teams. It was a highly anticipated matchup for fans on both sides. In a close, fast paced game, both teams played to their advantages. While the Clippers held home-field advantage, it was not enough to hold off the visiting Panthers. The Panthers defeated the Clippers in 28-20.

Chester going into the game had never made it this deep into the playoffs. Head coach for the Clippers, Dennis Shaw, led his team to their first title appearance in school history. For the Panthers they have had 12 title wins all while under head coach Kevin Clancy. Today they made it 13 titles.

The Panthers received the opening kickoff. Panther’s QB Jake Kitchin had a command of their offense out of the gate. A lengthy first drive would flash the impressive skills of the Panther offense. The drive would be capped off with a Kitchin sneak into the end zone for a touchdown. The PAT was successful and Strath Haven went up 7-0 with 5:59 left in the first quarter.

Chester would waste no time to respond. The Clippers needed just one play. Sophomore QB Jalen Harris would throw a dime to his twin brother Daron Harris, who took it 74 yards for the score. A drive that lasted only 16 seconds would bring the score to 7-6 after the two point attempt failed. The short drive left 5:43 in the first quarter.

The Panthers tug right back in the following drive. Kitchins would connect with junior James Fisher for a 38 yard reception. The drive would not end in their benefit. A field goal attempt by Ben Milligan would ail no good. It was still 7-6 Strath Haven at the end of the first quarter.

Chester would take the ball to start the second quarter. The drive would last roughly half the quarter as they drove down the field into opponent’s territory. Stuck in fourth and seven situation in their red zone they would go for it. Strath Haven was called for defensive pass interference giving Chester a set of fresh downs. Chester though was once again in a fourth and seven position. J. Harris would keep the ball himself and take it to the end zone for a touchdown. Another two point attempt would fail. Chester would take the lead 12-7 with 5:27 left in the first half.

With the Clippers set to receive the second half kickoff, the Panthers got to work. A huge 40 yard play by James Fisher would keep the drive alive. Eventually the drive came down to a fourth and goal on the one. Kitchins would again sneak it across the goal-line for a touchdown. Strath Haven retook the lead 14-12 with 2:54 left in the half.

Strath Haven’s defense would come alive forcing a punt with 1:22 left. The offense would take the field. Kitchins would throw a deep interception to D. Harris with 39 seconds on the board. Chester would run out the clock and the half concluded. Strath Haven led 14-12.

In only the first half, Kitchins ran in two touchdowns. His counterpart on the Clippers, Jalen Harris also had two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing. Entering the second half, Fisher led Strath Haven with 113 all-purpose-yards Two failed two point conversion were the only things that separated Chester and the lead.

The seconds half would start off with a bang. The kickoff was received by Chester’s Quamere Crosby. With no fair catch called, Crosby took it 92 yards to the house for a kickoff return touchdown. A successful two point attempt followed. Chester regained the lead 20-14. A 15 second drive left 11:45 on the clock in the third quarter.

The game so far went as expected. No fan on either side was disappointed. It was still anyone’s game with just one possession separating the two teams.

Strath Haven moved quickly downfield. Fisher led the charge alongside Kitchin. A long third down would draw a defensive pass interference on Chester. That set up the Panthers for a Kitchin to Sean Henry connection off the bootleg for a touchdown. The touchdown was followed by a successful extra point attempt. Strath Haven grabbed the lead one again 21-20.

It would be the fifth and final lead change of the game. The third quarter ended with Chester in possession on their opponents 29 yard line.

Penalties plagued both teams throughout the game. Late in the game they destroyed Chester. It would wreck their drive and force them to not get points on the board. Strath Haven took over and did what they do best, chew clock. A heavy run drive would kill just around five minutes off the clock.

Kitchin for the third time in game would sneak across the goal line for a touchdown. With only 3:18 left in the game, the Panthers stretched their led to 28-20.

With their season on the line, Chester had one drive to get something done. J. Harris threw a ball in desperation as he was being sacked. Strath Haven’s Henry would come down with it for an interception, sealing the game and the title. Strath Haven would run out the remaining 1:59 on the clock to collect their 13th district title.

Strath Haven’s QB Jake Kitchin

Kitchins ended the day with four total touchdowns and a trophy in his arms. It was satisfying for him. Last year, Strath Haven fell to West Chester Rustin in the title game.

“We had to step up. We had a special group of guys here. [The] whole season, we knew we could do this,” said Kitchins.

When facing a close game against a talented Chester team, he felt no pressure.

“I said this in the beginning of the year, give us the ball and we are going to win this game.” said Kitchins. “You never know when it is going to end. You got to play every game like it is your last.”

Strath Haven will face the Imhotep Charter Panthers (13-0) in the state semi-finals. Imhotep Charter has competed in the last two state championship games. In both state championship appearances they lost close ones to Penn-Trafford and Pine-Richland. It will be no easy task for the Panthers, but nothing is out of the picture.

The semi-final matchup will take on either Dec. 1 or 2, in at a to-be-determined location.

For the Chester Clippers their historic season comes to rest. They had a first-year head coach in Dennis Shaw and a sophomore QB in Jalen Harris. For most teams, that would not equate to the first school district title appearance. The Clippers have a long road of contention ahead of them.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
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