On the brand-new turf at King Field, the Strath Haven Panthers took on the Interboro Buccaneers on Friday, August 25, ending with a final score of 28-7 in Haven’s favor.
In the first half, junior James Fisher, senior Marco Kaufman, and junior Shane Green scored touchdowns. Green scored once again early in the fourth quarter. Kicker Ben Milligan successfully scored every extra point.
Senior Tommy Receveur scored the only touchdown for the Bucs on a 68-yard rush, shortly after Haven scored their last points of the night.
Senior Billy Brown commented on the performance of the team.
“I think we really played well. I think our offense really came to play. Of course everyone had first game nerves, and it was a tight game, and we’ll always have stuff to work on, but overall I think we played really well,” he said. “It’s a younger team we have, so we got to wait for the backs to develop. [We have] experienced offensive linemen so I think we can excel there.”
While the scoreboard showed a win, the Panthers felt that there was definitely room for improvement during training over the next week.
“A lot of us were tired out there, cramping. The whole second half we didn’t have some of our starters, which we’ll need for better teams like Springfield,” junior Shane Green said.
As for Haven’s sizable marching band, new portable bleachers were installed behind one of the field goals, putting the band in target of any balls kicked from field goals and extra points.
“I love it because it expands our sound and everyone can finally see our dances from the stands,” senior student director Brianne Caldwell said. “But yes, it is a little terrifying during field goals. Everyone has to be paying full attention, especially the bells section.”
Next week the Panthers are on the road to Springfield High School to face off against the Cougars on September 1 at 7pm.
“Springfield’s a good team, but I think we can come out on top,” Brown said.
