Jaris Adams and Jack Ryder of Strath Haven show off the Hometown Bowl hardware after the Panthers defeated Penncrest, 49-7, Friday night at Louis Scott Field. (DFM Staff)



By Bob Grotz

Last year around this time, Strath Haven was making another epic run through the Class 5A football playoffs. This year the Panthers been living out of coach Kevin Clancy’s trunk, the locker room basically off limits to comply with strict COVID-19 protocols.

In 39 years of coaching, including 30 at Strath Haven, Clancy has never experienced anything as challenging as guiding a team through coronavirus protocols. And he’s never been more satisfied with the enthusiasm and grit his players have shown along the way.

“It’s a weird season but the kids are still having fun playing football and that’s what it’s all about,” Clancy said Friday after the Panthers defeated Penncrest 49-7. “The kids have worked hard, they’re easy to coach, they’ve got a great attitude and that’s made it fun. We’re a week from getting through this and we have not had an exposure (of COVID-19) on the field transmitted from football. I feel like it’s been a successful season from that standpoint.”

The Panthers (4-1) prevailed over the Lions for the 31st time in the 39-year history of the Hometown Bowl, the label attached to these opponents, their schools sandwiched around Media.

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