Battle of unbeatens

North Penn takes on defending champ Coatesville in District 1-6A Final

North Penn goes for its eighth district title Friday night when the Knights take on Coatesville in the District 1-6A Final at Pennridge’s Helman Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

The top-seeded Knights come into this one a perfect 13-0, fresh off a 35-21 win over Downingtown West. Second-seeded Coatesville is also 13-0, coming off a 42-7 rout of Garnet Valley.

The winner of this contest heads to the state semifinals against Harrisburg.

Both rushing attacks are on a roll, in what is a matchup of the last two district champs — North Penn in 2016 and Coatesville a year ago.

The Knights’ Shamar Edwards ran for a whopping 318 yards last week, along with three touchdowns. He also played a pivotal role on defense, intercepting a pass and also breaking up another pass that led to a crucial interception.

R.J. Macnamara has also been key on both sides of the ball for the Knights, getting into the

backfield to stop runners for losses while also contributing to the Knights’ robust ground attack. He reached the end zone twice last week.

The North Penn defense was dominant in the first two rounds against Ridley and Neshaminy and then came up with key takeaways last week.

Now comes the biggest challenge.

Aaron Young racked up 227 yards on 20 carries last week for the Red Raiders, who put the game into the mercy rule by the fourth quarter against previouslyunbeaten Garnet Valley.

Quarterback Ricky Ortega showed his versatility by weaving 57 yards to the end zone, breaking at least four tackles along the way.

History, meanwhile, is on the side of the Knights.

North Penn is 3-0 against Coatesville in the postseason: 27-13 in the District 1-4A Quarters; 31-0 in the District 1-6A First Round; and most recently, 42-25 in the 2016 District 1-6A Semis.

The Knights own an overall 4-2 series edge over Coatesville.

The Red Raiders won the first meeting between the two back in 1992, 19-3, and then Coatesville won again in 1993, 28-7. Since then, it’s been all Knights: a 38-20 victory in 2001 followed by three playoff victories over the Red Raiders.

NATE HECKENBERGER — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Downingtown West’s Sean Pelkisson can’t quite get a hold of North Penn’s Solomon Robinson in the fourth quarter of their District 1-6A semifinal last Friday.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Coatesville’s Aaron Young (4) waltzes into the end zone with the game’s first touchdown against of the Red Raiders’ District 1-6A semifinal against Garnet Valley last Friday.