The Cheltenham High School football team lost a heartbreaker to Chester High in their home opener on Friday, September 1. Senior Tre McLeod, one of the most recruited running backs in the state, scored two touchdowns, including a superman-like dive into the end zone.

According to local historian Chuck Langerman, McLeod, who has offers from Penn State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Maryland, Nebraska, and the University of Mississippi, among others, ran the ball 87 times last season, racking up 936 yards (10.8 yards per carry) and six touchdowns, nearly becoming the third running back in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in his junior season.

According to Langerman, Cheltenham has not defeated Chester since 1964 when the Panthers blanked the Clippers 14-0. The game was highlighted by Cheltenham sophomore Howard “Bubba” Washington’s 58-yard punt return.

The high school football series, which dates back to 1912, now stands at 8-7-2 in Chester’s favor. The Panthers play their next game at home on Friday, September 8 against Lincoln High from Philadelphia.

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