Malvern Prep - Coatesville notes

Malvern Prep's Joe Carlini talks about his game-saving stop against Coatesville Friday night, and the excitement that followed.

Game Notes:

Coatesville had seven more rushing yards than penalty yards (98-91) on the night.

Dre Boggs was Coatesville's biggest threat, rushing 10 times for 103 yards and a score and pulling in 5 passes for 97 yards and another TD. The Red Raiders struggled nearly all night moving the ball on the ground but gave the Friars major headaches when quarterback Emmett Hunt had time to find open receivers and let them run in space. Coatesville continually found open space in the middle of the field for receptions, or took receiver screens for good gains.

Malvern Prep has a tendency to get into dogfights, and Friday that paid off. With a couple of tough losses to Downingtown East the past few years, the Friars were able to stave off a 0-2 start by coming out in the second half with a heightened energy.

Eric Purnell and Connor Bohs make a very dynamic inside/outside combo in the backfield, and Malvern has good depth at running back. Bohs was a force on the inside traps, and as soon as Malvern's staff found a way to get Purnell running forward, instead of sideways against Coatesville's speed, he became the potent weapon that he is. Bohs had 93 yards, Purnell had 55 of his 69 yards in the second half and Troy Gallen, Joe Carlini and Hunter Paulus all contributed with tough running.

Malvern struggled in the passing game, but that is more of a testament to how Coatesville got pressure up the middle with Michael Boykin and Tyler Burke, as well as their tight coverage in the secondary led by Daquan Worley and Jason Totaram.

The Friars' pass rush was even better, however. Malvern always seems to have big, strong kids to man their lines and the same can be said of the 2012. Jordan Andrews had three of Malvern's six sacks, and Dan Riordan, arguably the top Friars' defensive end, didn't even play.

Coatesville travels to Central Dauphin East next week, while Malvern Prep will host Washington DC's Carroll.