Quakertown Panthers @ Southern Lehigh Spartans
Friday, August 22, 2025
Kickoff: 7pm
5800 Main St, Center Valley, PA 18034
Team Details:
Head Coach: George Banas
League: Suburban One League-Continental Conference
Last Season: (7-5) overall (6-1)
Conference Last Game: Lost 56-0 to Haverford (Playoffs)
Panthers Notables:The Panthers head into the 25' season with an eye for a Conference Championship and a potential playoff run. The Panthers have a good core group of returning players but with the loss of starting wide receivers Aiden Burgy and Matt Thomas the spot has been a big part of the offseason grind. Heading into Week 1, SOi intern Julia Skarbowski caught up with Head Coach George Banas for the away opener at Southern Lehigh.
Julia: “So with last season ending at 7-5, what would you say was the team's biggest weakness last season? And what have you been focusing on in the off season?”
Coach Banas: “You know, last year, we had some things that we looked at, we thought we could correct and work on in the off season. Early on in the year, we struggled, but then came on, went 6-1 in our league, and then, we won on Thanksgiving as well. Some things, we had to replace some wide receivers, we lost both of our starting wide receivers, Who are both playing college football. So, we knew we had to bring up the young kids quick at wide receiver and fill in some positions that we lost some key players at. So we were to work on that, during the off season to bring those young kids up to speed.”
Julia: With Southern Lehigh losing some notable players like Andrew Olesh, Danny Reagan, what changes for you this year after the loss of 31-13 last season?”
Coach Banas: I think there's a big, you know, especially on the defensive side of things, where you had to game plan for Olesh, and you almost had to waste two players on defense for him. So, you know, looking at this year, they've still got really good wide receivers, but, you know, they're not a Michigan/Penn State player. I think we're able to, play a more balanced front and not have to, put two guys on one and then play with nine in the box, where this year I feel like we can play a more sound defense. Just looking at film, I just went back and watched it again, and, we gave up way too many big plays. We gave up a third in, like, 35 or third in something. Olesh caught it in the flat, and ran all the way down to like the two yard line. We gave up a punt return where we were punting from the 50 , and they returned it all the way back to our 30. So it was like a negative 20 yard play. And then we gave up some other big plays. So, those are the things that we really harping on is, you know, making sure that we stop the big play.”
Julia: “What should fans expect from defense with returning players like Jackson Connelly, Owen Richwine, and Jacob Moises?”
Coach Banas: “I think we're going to you know have a much more balanced front. I think we're gonna be able to make some big plays, create turnovers, and even some explosive, hopefully, you know, some scoring opportunities on defense, and be able to give our offense the ball in really good field position this year and, let them show what they can do, because we got a ton of talent on that side of the ball as well.”
Julia:"Who did you select to be featured this week and how have they been improving this off season?”
Coach Banas: “I picked Owen Richwine, he really worked his tail off this off season. He came into camp probably one of the top three top five at least, probably closer to top three kids that came into shape and, you know, for a year to have an offensive line, defensive lineman to come into shape and be one of your top three guys, he did a tremendous amount of work to come in, in shape and lock and loaded to play for us on both sides of ball this year. So, that's why we chose him, he's a great kid on top of it very, very coachable and does everything the right way.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: #55 OWEN RICHWINE OL/DE/DT
Julia: “You were picked this week for a player spotlight. What do you think has been your biggest improvement or something that you've been working on this off season?”
Richwine: “my speed, luck, left, back. Faster.”
Julia: “This is your final ride. What is your overall goal for yourself and the team this year?”
Richwine: “Just win as much as we can, and make playoffs hopefully.”
Julia: “What’s something Banas or playing football for Quakertown has taught you that you’ll take with you in the future?”
Richwine: “Working hard and giving it all.”