Tonight at Jack Mancini field on the campus of Bishop Shanahan High School, the Panthers from Strath Haven upset the Bishop Shanahan Eagles, 24-21. The game was an instant classic, that was decided by Emmett Young’s 24-yard field goal at 7.7 seconds left.
Not only does the win assure the Panthers a second District 1, 5A playoff game next week at Unionville, but it was legendary coach Kevin Clancy’s 300th win at the helm of the Panthers.
The Eagles got off to a slow start and had a difficult time on offense and defense. The Panthers opened the game on a six-minute touchdown drive, capped off by a Sean Daly one-yard run.
Shanahan got within 7-6 when Connor Whalen scored on a two-yard touchdown run and a badly missed extra point. Ethan Belville scooped up a fumbled Shanahan QB/RB exchange, and rumbled 17 yards for a 14-6 halftime lead for the Panthers from Wallingford.
The only score of the third quarter, came when Shanahan quarterback Andrew Smyth scored from two yards out and completed a two point conversion pass to Steve Sweeney to tie the game at 14-14. Following a short Panther punt, Danny DiBenedetto took a handoff 50 yards to pay dirt and a 21-14 lead. Strath Haven drove down the field to tie the game on a 30-yard pass to a fallen down Thomas Foster.
The touchdown pass set up the stage for Young’s heroics. Smyth threw a tip drill interception, giving the Panthers the ball in plus territory. Haven ground out the clock to 7.7 seconds, Young kicked a 24 yard field goal, and stopped Shanahan’s last gasp.
On the milestone win, Kevin Clancy stated, “I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was a gutsy win. All our defense making plays. It wasn’t easy, we ground it away. A sophomore LB made the interception to put us in a position to win.”
Shanahan boss Paul Meyers said, “Give them credit, we made mistakes, and the fumble return was the difference in the game.”
