DiGiovanni

Whatever happens, the Golden Knights will be proud of the season they have put together, especially considering the strange circumstances.

They were left for dead after the opening week loss to Unionville, but found enough spirit and heart to come back and advance to the district title game. And the Golden Knights may have found the next great Rustin running back in superlative junior Dayshawn Jacobs, who has ripped off 468 yards rushing in his last two games. One of those was against Class 6A power Downingtown East.

And being considered as the next great West Chester Rustin running back is very high praise for a program that has produced Rondell White and Terry Loper in the past. Jacobs runs with an almost upright style, surveying the chaos in front of him, then deftly picks his spot to shred opposing defenses.

And with senior quarterback John Crispino adeptly handling the Golden Knights’ offense, behind what may be the best offensive line the Golden Knights have ever had, the Rustin running game is back on solid ground. Senior guard John Shallo is one of the best blockers in District 1.

The Rustin defense held Downingtown East to just 13 points two weeks ago, and last week against pass-happy Wissahickon in the first round of districts, held the Trojans to just 13 points, none after the first quarter.

So, this 2020 edition of West Chester Rustin football looks eerily like many of the very successful Golden Knights teams from the past under the wily head coach. And St. Clair really likes the fight this team has shown since practice resumed after the COVID-19 cancellation.

They have faced personal tragedy, they have faced debilitating injuries to key parts of the team, and they have faced adversity after losing the first game of the season, in a season where one loss cost most teams any hopes of the playoffs.

Friday, the Golden Knights will attempt to capture the second District 1 championship in school history. I don’t know what the final score will be, but I do know the Golden Knights will fight fiercely for the entire 48 minutes.

It is the only way they know how to play under St. Clair. Impressive.

Peter DiGiovanni covers high school football for The Daily Local News and Pa. Prep Live. You can reach him at pdigiovanni07@ gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteDLN.