Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Playoff berths on the line in Week 10
The final full week of the scholastic football regular season starts tonight with three teams — Downingtown West, Downingtown East and Conestoga facing virtual playoff elimination games.
In a big Ches-Mont National matchup at Kottmeyer Stadium, Downingtown East, fresh off a very impressive win over Downingtown West, will host West Chester Henderson. The Warriors are locked into a Class AAAA playoff spot, but will be playing for a home game.
These two teams usally play low-scoring, close games and tonight’s clash should be no different. East (6-3) head coach Mike Matta knows how good a defensive team the Warriors (7-2) are.
“Henderson is very good defensively and they are aggressive,” Matta said. “Number 72 (Bryan White), is very good and we are going to have to find a way to block him. Their defensive ends are also very good and they get
good linebacker play. They have some athletes in the secondary too and they are always a tough team for us to play. They are very active defensively.
“We are going to have to approach this as a playoff game and 7-3 is better than 6-4, and yes, this is a very big game for us. We definitely have our work cut out for us and they always seem to give us problems. Their staff does a great job and Steve Mitten, their head coach, is very good. This is always a tough game for us and I expect it to be the same this year.” PICK >> Downingtown East played its best game of the year last week against West and seem to have a little more diversity offensively than the option-oriented Warriors. Look for another close game. Downingtown East 24, W.C. Henderson 21.
Garnet Valley (7-2) at Conestoga (7-2), 7 p.m.
Conestoga likely has to beat Garnet Valley to get into the playoffs, but there is a chance they can get in even with a loss. Head coach John Vogan talked about what Garnet Valley brings to the field.
“We have to approach this as a playoff game,” Vogan said. “Garnet Valley’s running game is their strength and it is awfully good. They run very well from the pistol formation and their quarterback (Steve Flanigan) throws the ball a lot better than people give him credit for.
“They are a big, physical team up front and they run that option very well. And the option is hard to practice for because it is so hard to simulate. Their defense is an attack defense and their frontline is very good. We have come up big in every big game we have had so far this season and we need to come up big again.”
Garnet Valley will get a lift with the return of coach Mike Ricci, out for medical leave. PICK >> Conestoga’s passing attack will give Garnet Valley fits, while its Pioneer defense will limit the Jags’ big runs. Conestoga 31, Garnet Valley 21.
Downingtown West (6-3) at Coatesville (9-0), 7 p.m.
Coatesville needs a a win to be the top seed in the Class AAAA bracket, while the Whippets have to win to get into the playoffs. Coatesville lost to the Whippets last year in a game that decided the Ches-Mont National title. The Red Raiders have not forgotten.
Pick>> Coatesville 28, Downingtown West 21.
Octorara (5-4) at West Chester Rustin (8-1), 7 p.m.
Octorara needs a win over the Golden Knights to make the Class AAA playoffs. Terry Loper and his friends likely will not let that happen as Rustin goes into the Class AAAA playoffs as a top-four seed. PICK >> West Chester Rustin 42, Octorara 14.
Unionville (5-4) at Oxford (2-7), 7 p.m.
Tough year for both teams, but it is one last chance to see the exploits of Oxford’s Ryan Hubley and Unionville quarterback Alex Pechin on a local football field. PICK >> Unionville 35, Oxford 14.
West Chester East (3-6) at Sun Valley (1-8), 7 p.m.
This is a good chance for the Vikings to end the season with a win as quarterback Jon Jon Roberts should have a big game against a Sun Valley defense that gives up over 40 points per game. PICK >> W.C. East 42, Sun Valley 21.
Kennett (1-8) at Great Valley (8-1), 7 p.m.
Great Valley looked awfully impressive in its win over Unionville last week. The Patriots should roll to clinch the top seed, or at worst, second in the upcoming Class AAA playoffs. PICK>> Great Valley 42, Kennett 13.
Saturday Avon Grove (0-9) at Bishop Shanahan (6-3), 1 p.m.
Bishop Shanahan is on a two-game winning streak and need a win over the Red Devils to clinch a home game in Class AAA. They should get it. PICK>> Bishop Shanahan 35, Avon Grove 14.
Episcopal Academy (4-4) at Malvern Prep (4-4), 7 p.m.
Malvern quarterback Alex Hornibrook became the school’ single-season passing leader in last week’s win over Penn Charter. The Churchmen give up a lot of points which should allow Malvern to cruise. PICK >> Malvern Prep 38, Episcopal Academy 13.