In Loss, Aces' Coach Praises Strath Haven Counterpart as Class Act

Lower Merion High School football coach Jon Rothberg’s team has been on the hard end of some scores this year. Strath Haven beat the Aces 48-7 last Friday, dropping Lower Merion’s record to 2-6 overall and 0-6 in the Central League. But Rothberg saw something else, too.

 The Aces have about 30 healthy bodies—15 of which have some high school varsity experience.

 “I have to say something about Strath Haven coach Kevin Clancy and what he did Friday night,” Rothberg said. “He knows the situation that we’re in over here and it was 34-0 after the first quarter, and Coach Clancy pulled his starters early in the second quarter, and that says something.

 “For the most part, coaches keep their starters in for the first half and try to get the 35 points (mercy rule). Strath Haven scored at will—and we helped them with some fumbles. But Coach Clancy instructed his kids to start fair-catching punts, which is a class move all the way around, and I had to say something about that. Kevin thinks about everyone’s kids, not just not his own.”

There was one silver sliver in the Aces’ loss: Lower Merion senior kicker Dan Moyer, a part time tight end, scored his first varsity touchdown on a 15-yard reception.

“The kids played hard and played like champs, we were just outmanned,” Rothberg said.