MORE ON WEEK 1

Pete’s picks for

Week 1: Football guru Peter DiGiovanni makes all his selections and we get your ready for the Week 1 matchups.

The night area football fans have been eagerly awaiting since last December is finally here. Scholastic football kicks off tonight for every area team except Malvern Prep, which begins play next week.

HARRISBURG AT COATESVILLE

There are a lot of compelling games on the opening weekend slate but no matchup brings as much anticipation than the Harrisburg Cougars invading Coatesville. Last season Harrisburg defeated Coatesville 27-24 in the PIAA Class 6A semifinal, overturning an opening week 37-6 win by the Red Raiders. Coatesville head coach Matt Ortega and senior quarterback Ricky Ortega talked about the matchup. “Harrisburg is very athletic as usual,” Matt Ortega said. “The program has had a lot of success and they will be playing with a lot of confidence because they broke through last year and made it to the state final. “We lost a lot from last year, but our defensive line, a place where we thought may be a work in progress, is actually one of our strengths. They worked so hard in the off season. Harrisburg is big up front but we feel good about our line.” Ricky Ortega, who has thrown for more than 7,700 yards in his Coatesville career, along with 103 touchdown passes, said he is looking forward to the revenge game. “I am really glad Harrisburg is our week one game,” Ricky Ortega said. “I am 1-1 against them and want to go to 2-1. We are young in some spots but we have a really talented team and we have confidence and will be ready for them.” Harrisburg has some stars like WR/DB Donte Kent, who caught 37 passes last year to go along with his six interceptions. But, the quarterback position will be the difference. The Cougars lost Kane Everson to graduation and Everson was the big reason the Cougars defeated Coatesville in the semifinal last season. Ricky Ortega and Dapree Bryant should be the difference for the Red Raiders as both teams are young and will be better later in the season but Coatesville is better tonight.

The Pick: Coatesville 35, Harrisburg 21