Coatesville rebounds in impressive fashion

By PETER DiGIOVANNI
cpn11716@comcast.net

So much for Coatesville  having a letdown after their last-second loss to Downingtown East last week. Coatesville, and quarterback Emmett Hunt, simply destroyed a very good Unionville squad. Right now, Coatesville may be playing the best football of any area team not named Downingtown East.
Head coach Matt Ortega simplified the playbook against Unionville, spreaded the Indians defense out and went with the arm of Hunt and the hands of Chris Jones and company. Big-time statement win for the Red Raiders in a game a lot of people around the county liked Unionville in.
•
It seems that West Chester Rustin brings out the best in every team it plays. When you are four-time defending Ches-Mont League American Division champs, that’s the way it is. Kennett was the latest to take a shot at Rustin and the Blue Demons showed they are ready for prime time, but in the end it was the Golden Knights coming back for a huge win that keeps them in good shape for the Class AAAA District 1 playoffs.
Great Valley is the next team to see if they are for real. The Patriots host Rustin this Friday in a game that will impact Great Valley’s playoff hopes. Quarterback Chris Geiss will be a handful for the stout Rustin defense.
•
With four weeks left to play in the regular season, the matchups of West Chester Henderson’s Spencer Rymiszewski against the likes of Downingtown East’s Jay Harris and Chris Jones of Coatesville are going to be quite the battles. Rymiszewski is the best defensive back in the Ches-Mont, while Harris and Jones are the two best receivers, so their duels should be classics. Henderson faces Coatesville on Oct. 19 and Downingtown East on Nov. 2.
•
Speaking of Henderson, the two Mitten twins, Phil and Chris, seem to be in the right position on almost every play. Being sons of head coach Steve, one might expect that, but I was really impressed by the play of the duo in Henderson’s 50-10 win over Bishop Shanahan.
Shanahan sophomore running back Pat Corcoran left the game with a bum shoulder and may not play this week against Coatesville. It was another tough break in a very tough year for the Eagles. but with a ton of freshman and sophomores seeing playing time right now, you may not want to see thems next year because they will be very tough. And one of my new favorites is sophomore linebacker Cody Smith, who will be a force in the Ches-Mont next season.
•
The Central League had a funny week with Garnet Valley going down to Springfield (Delco) and Penncrest taking out Strath Haven. If Conestoga keeps rolling along and runs the table, then they will get a good spot in the District 1 playoffs.
•
The road does not get any easier for Downingtown East as the Cougars travel to Delaware to take on 4-0 St. Mark’s. Look for the Cougars to get the win and run the table the rest of the way.

Daily Local News
Football Top 10
Records through Sept. 30.

1. Downingtown East (5-0): Cougars stay on top after ripping Avon Grove.
2. Coatesville (3-2): The Red Raiders look absolutely awesome in taking apart Unionville.
3. Malvern Prep (2-2): The Friars get ready for date with Upper Darby.
4. W.C. Henderson (5-0): The Warriors get big test at Downingtown West on Friday.
5. Downingtown West (4-1): The Whippets looked good on defense against W.C. East.
6. Unionville (3-2): The Indians get stepped on by Coatesville.
7. W.C. Rustin (4-1): The Golden Knights survive scare by Kennett.
8. Conestoga (3-2):  Andrew DeStefano leads the county in catches.
9. Kennett (3-2): The Blue Demons almost break through against Rustin.
10.Great Valley (4-1): The Patriots get another big running game from Chris Geiss against Oxford.

Follow Peter DiGiovanni at twitter.com/dlnsports