“Fly, Eagles Fly!” rang out of the student section as Philadelphia Eagles mascot, Swoop, directed the sea of green like a conductor.

On Friday, Sept. 26, Haven hosted the annual Eagles High School Football Showdown, a program that recognizes high school football teams and their staff in the greater Philadelphia area. The Panthers (5-1) took a statement victory against the Marple Newtown Tigers (2-4).

It was a busy evening for the community as it was also WSSD’s band night, where the middle school band and high school band students collaborated to perform Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” the “Ghostbusters” theme, and the Eagles fight song.

The showdown featured special appearances from former Eagles players, Eagles cheerleaders, the Eagles drumline, Swoop, and various photo ops with giant interactive ‘BIRDS’ signage and cardboard player cutouts. According to principal Mr. Andrew Benzing, more than 3,500 people attended the event.

Schools are chosen based on their ability to draw a strong crowd, deliver an exciting game, and provide a matchup the program hasn’t been a part of.

“We thought that the Marple Newtown versus Strath Haven game was a really good game for us,” Philadelphia Eagles Marketing Coordinator Joey Petti said. “It’s [also] an off weekend for [the Eagles], so it’s nice to get away on an away weekend, come out here and put on a great event.”

The showdown gives a chance for the Eagles to connect with Eagles fans at the high school level, bringing the excitement of a big game to Friday night lights and their communities.

“Youth football is a very big part of our organization,” Petti said. “Just getting to come out here and bring the excitement, bring the energy, bring the Eagles field to a home game here, it’s something we look forward to doing.”

In the weeks leading up to the event, the Eagles organization coordinated with Strath Haven and Marple Newtown to finalize logistics and event details in a joint effort.

“We kept in communication with the Eagles organization, and we put all the details together and got this amazing event off the ground,” athletic director Ms. Lynelle Mosley said. “To say that the Eagles wanted to come here says a lot about our community. I think this gives a big push for our kids.”

On the sidelines, the cheer team cheered the Panthers, with some Eagles cheerleaders in the formation. The cheer team also held a clinic before the game, where both teams shared and learned different drills and routines from each other.

“It was cool learning other cheers and then combining their dances with our band’s music,” senior varsity cheer captain Ella Leggett said. “[It was cool] just mixing up our cheer and combining it with theirs.”

During halftime, the 300+ member Panther marching band took to the field to perform their halftime show, ending with the Eagles’ fight song and the Minnesota Rouser in collaboration with the Eagles drumline.

Before the game, the Eagles drumline also came together with the Haven and Marple Newtown drumlines in a clinic, sharing music and teaching different playing styles.

“I’m really grateful I got to experience it all with these wonderful people,” junior drumline captain Amar Wade said. “Seeing such a good drumline made me want to play better — even better than I’ve been playing this season.”

Before the game and all week in practice, former Eagles players Jason Avant and Todd Herremans gave the Panthers football and career advice, showing up at practice and filling the role of team honorary captains.

“Todd Herremans, an [Eagles] alumnus, was great with the kids and talked about focus in being a part of a team and sticking to commitment,” head coach Kevin Clancy said.

The game started with junior Kasey Hudson getting his first touchdown this season on varsity, scoring early in the first quarter.

“It felt great, it was my first touchdown all season, it felt wonderful, and we all picked up the pace after that, never taking our foot off the gas,” Hudson said.

Soon after that touchdown, another one came from junior Yosef Ali on a long run, powering into the endzone. Then, before the half, junior Landon Barlow punched one in to make it 21-3 going into the half.

After halftime, the Panthers struggled with ball security, losing two fumbles, but limited the Tigers’ passing opportunities and nearly came away with multiple interceptions.

“When he [Herremans] came in and talked to us, he told us just to live in the moment. That hit me because I’m a senior and I only have, what, four guaranteed games left,” senior Quinn Kell said. “The whole week we just focused on playing Strath Haven football… When it came down to it we made plays [on defense] and came out on top.”

By the end of the game, the Panthers had only let up one touchdown. Late in the fourth, a deep ball to junior John Reilly would cap the game off with a touchdown, ending 34-10.

“It felt exhilarating, [my] first touchdown of the season… they were in the huddle [saying], got to go deep, it’s fourth and long, got to do something, so they threw it up,” Reilly said about the big play.

The Eagles’ showdown stands out as a unique moment for Haven.

“I think it’s a real showcase of the community,” Benzing said. “It’s a nice event where everybody can come on out.”

This story was originally published on Panther Press on September 30, 2025.