Pancoast, Indians get back on track

Photo by Bill Rudick/ Unionville quarterback Tom Pancoast takes off during Friday's win over Oxford.

By BILL RUDICK
brudick54@gmail.com

UNIONVILLE — A week removed from a spanking at the hands of Coatesville, Unionville needed to get itself back on track. A 43-18 win over visiting Oxford on Friday night did the trick.
“Last week was an embarassment,” said Indians all-everything player Tom Pancoast, who finished the night with 100-yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns, threw for another 136 and two touchdowns, and for good measure, picked off two passes playing defense. “We wanted to come out and send the message that we are on top of the division and plan to stay there.”
And the Indians wasted no time in getting that message across, scoring on a 63-yard strike from Pancoast to Tim Christopher on the first play from scrimmage. Christopher finished the day with 2 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on an 8-yard run.
“The coaches did a great job scheming that play,” said Christopher. “I just got myself wide open. It felt really great to score on the first play of the game.”
But Oxford answered right back, marching off a 10 play, 65-yard drive capped with a 3-yard pass from Ethan Herb to tight end Josh Davis.
“We moved the ball well tonight, but we just made too many mistakes,” said Oxford coach Mike Pietlock. “You can’t make mistakes like we did and expect to beat a team like Unionville.”
On the stat sheet, the game was far closer than the final tally that showed on the score board. The Hornets actually had more first downs than Unionville, 24-11, and the difference in total yards was just 54 yards, 392-338.
But turnovers doomed the Hornets, and drive-killing turnovers at that. Still within two scores just before the half, the Hornets had the ball deep in Unionville territory when they fumbled inside the 20.
Midway through the third, Oxford had just made good on a huge gamble, picking up 31-yards and a first down on fake punt when Ryan Hubley connected with Brendan Frazier down to the Indians’ 19. But on the next snap, Herb’s pass was picked off by Pancoast in the endzone.
“The D-line did a great job of pressuring (Herb),” said Pancoast. “They rushed him out of the pocket and forced him into a bad position to throw from. The ball basically came right into my hands.”
Leading the way for the Hornets offensivley was Colton Turns. The quick halfback was a workhorse Friday night, carrying the ball 31 times for 117 yards and a touchdown. The other Hornet score came on a 1-yard run from Herb.
“We still have four games to play,” said Pietclock. “If we can take care of the ball, we can still do some things that haven’t been seen in Oxford in a long time.”
Count Unionville coach Pat Clark among those who see the strides Oxford is making as a program.
“They are light years improved from just a few years ago,” said Clark. “Herb is a polished, good quarterback. We tried to cloud things up underneath and got good pressure on him tonight. We executed well.”
With the win, the Indians stay on track to win the American.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have some very good kids come through here, and Tom Pancoast is certainly one of those very good kids,” said Clark, “But we got some great complementary play from throughout the line-up, too.”

Unionville 43, Oxford 18
Oxford    6 0 0 12 -- 18
Unionville     7 15 7 21 -- 43
Scoring
U- Christopher 67 pass from Pancoast (A. Pechin kick)
O- Davis 3 pass from Herb (kick failed)
U- Christopher 8 run (Pancoast run)
U- Pancoast 4 run (A. Pechin kick)
U- Pancoast 1 run (A. Pechin kick)
O- Turns 1 run (pass failed)
U- B. Pechin 2 run (A. Pechin kick)
O- Herb 1 run (pass failed)
Team Totals
    OX     U
First downs     24    11
Yards rushing     177    246
Yards passing     161    148
Total yards    338    392
Passing     12-23-2    4-7-0
Fumbles-Lost     2-1    1-1
Penalties    1-10    4-45
Punts-Avg.     1-36.0    2.26.5
Individual Statistics
RUSHING - O: Turns 31-116, TD; Herb 7-42, TD; Way 4-20; Lopez 1-1. U: Pancoast 13-100, 2 TDs; DiBaggio 3-93; B. Pechin 8-33, TD; Christopher 2-12, TD; Scargill 3-8.
PASSING - O: Herb 11-22-1, 129 yards, TD; Hubley: 1-1-0, 32 yards. U: Pancoast 3-6-0, 136 yards, 2 TDs; A. Pechin 1-2-0, 12 yards.
RECEIVING - O: Summer 7-90; Dawkins 2-26; Davis 2-13; Frazier 1-31; Turns 1-11. U: Christopher 2-130, TD; Nash 1-12; Johnson 1-6.
SACKS - O: None. U: Biggs 2, Cheyney.
INTERCEPTIONS - O: None. U: Pancoast 2.

Braves fall despite Gooden's monster game

By CHRISTOPHER A. VITO
cvito@delcotimes.com

HAVERFORD — About a week back, Haverford coach Joe Gallagher expressed his discontent with his team’s giddy-up out of the gate.
Slow starts in consecutive games made Gallagher get on the offensive, leading to a change to the Fords’ offense. So Friday night, they debuted a no-huddle package they hadn’t used in any situation other than the two-minute drill.
And 109 seconds later, Haverford had its first touchdown in what amounted to a 49-23 lopsided victory over Octorara in a nonleague contest at A.G. Cornog Stadium.
Quarterback Eddie Durkin equaled his career-best by rolling up five touchdowns — two through the air on 144 yards, three on the ground to go with 81 yards — and the Fords (4-1) reeled off their fourth straight victory.
“It’s great to have a night like this,” said Durkin, a senior, “but we’re not out to make a statement like this. We want to stay in the (Central League) hunt.”
“Games like this aren’t fun,” added running back Alex Drum. “The next four will be fun.”
Those include home dates with Harriton, Strath Haven and Conestoga before hitting the road for a game against Garnet Valley.
“It doesn’t get any easier for us,” Gallagher said, “which is why it was nice to get going like this. It got our confidence up and hopefully we can turn that into wins in the next couple weeks.”
That no-huddle offense only popped up once, with Haverford needing five plays to find the end zone. It only got worse for Octorara (1-4) thereafter, with the Fords turning loose Drum and Durkin.
Drum churned up 94 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, and his 34-yard reception set up a touchdown prior to halftime. Durkin had it going in both phases of his game, with Marcus Sydnor being the main benefactor. Sydnor pulled in two passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns, both in the first half, to give the Fords a 42-3 cushion at halftime.
Octorara got it going only after Gallagher had gone to his second-team guys in the third and fourth quarters. And when Braves quarterback Alex Gooden came out of the game in favor of the second string, with 6:32 left in the fourth quarter, he had 232 of Octorara’s 230 yards. How is that possible? Because the rest of the Braves had accumulated minus-2 yards offensively.
“Honestly, I like the burden,” Gooden said. “I want to be the one that can help this team turn it around. It’s going to be a team effort, but I want that responsibility.”
The Fords’ victory was a big one, in terms of sheer numbers. But they know the bigger victories are out there waiting for them.
“We want this to be the springboard for the rest of our season,” Drum said.

Haverford 49, Octorara 23
Octorara    3     0     0     20     —     23
Haverford    20     22     0     7     —    49
H- Durking 20 run (Russell kick)
H- Drum 9 run (kick blocked)
O- Byerly 15 field goal
H- Sydnor 40 pass from Durkin (Russell kick)
H- Durkin 35 run (Durkin run)
H- Sydnor 34 pass from Durkin (Russell kick)
H- Durkin 5 run (Durkin run)
O- Cooper 1 run (Byerly run)
O- Norris 31 run (kick failed)
H- Lyons 26 run (Russell kick)
O- Wheating-Devlin 45 run (run failed)
TEAM STATISTICS
    OCT     HAV
First downs     11    17
Rushes-Yards     29-183    32-264
Passing yards     123    144
Total yards    306    408
Passing     12-19-2    5-10-0
Punts-Average     3-29.9    3-33.3
Fumbles-Lost    1-1    1-0
Penalties-Yards     4-25    5-50
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: Octorara — Gooden 15-109, Wheating-Devlin 1-45, Norris 3-33, Cooper 8-3, Devlin 2-(-7). Haverford — Drum 7-94, Durkin 8-81, Lyons 2-33, Leyden 4-25, J Kim 9-22, Ramos 1-8, Thornton 1-1.
Passing: Octorara — Gooden 12-19-2, 123. Haverford — Durkin 5-10-0, 144.
Receiving: Octorara — Butler 5-73, Thompson 3-19, Dinorscia 2-16, Devlin 1-13, Cooper 1-2. Haverford — Sydnor 2-74, Leyden 2-18, Drum 1-34, Cresta 1-16.

Friars capitalize on turnovers, top Royals

By STEVEN LEINERT
Journal Register News Service

UPPER DARBY — Upper Darby coach Rich Gentile has learned there are certain things he can’t control during a football game.
No matter how much he or his coaching staff prepares, stuff just happens.
Despite quarterback Nii Kotei Nikoi’s 265 yards passing, the Royals turned the ball over five times en route to a 40-20 nonleague loss against Malvern Prep Friday night.
Those weren’t the only things that hindered Upper Darby’s chances at victory.
“I don’t doubt these guys’ heart in any way, shape or form, that they are trying to give me everything they have,” Gentile said. “(Stuff) happens. I was just telling the coaches, I mean I don’t know how to describe it.”
Stuff happened almost from the start for Upper Darby. On the Royals’ third offensive play, Nikoi was picked off by Malvern Prep defensive back Jordan Majors, who returned it 34 yards for the game’s first score.
Upper Darby had a chance to take the lead late in the first quarter after Nikoi hit receiver Justin Venditti for a 24-yard touchdown but the Royals’ extra point sailed wide, tying the game at 6. Again, stuff happened.
A short punt early in the second quarter allowed Malvern Prep’s quick-strike offense an opportunity to capitalize. Eric Purnell’s 38-yard run was followed by a nine-yard touchdown scamper by Connor Bohs that gave the Friars (3-2) a 13-6 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Upper Darby fumbled. It was recovered by Malvern Prep and one play later, Friars quarterback William Ford found a wide-open Troy Gallen for an 18-yard touchdown and a 19-6 lead.
“We beat ourselves,” Nikoi said. “We can move the ball on anybody. I feel as though we can do that. If we cut down on those mistakes, we’re probably up in the second half. We put our defense in bad positions. We gave them the ball inside the 50 (too many times).”
Malvern Prep seemed to seize control of the game at the start of the third quarter after Ford connected with Gallen on a 69-yard touchdown pass, his second of the game, that gave the Friars a 26-6 advantage.
“He has great hands, so we are always confident when we are throwing him the ball,” Malvern Prep coach Kevin Pellegrini said. “I know if the patterns on the sheet are going to work if we get it in his vicinity. It’s a matter of getting it there to him. He catches the ball and he can sure run. He really is a nice threat. But we still have a lot of work to do.”
However, Upper Darby marched 80 yards in nine plays capped by a 13-yard touchdown run by Cyrus Barlee that pulled the Royals within 26-13.
And on the second play of the fourth quarter, Upper Darby recovered a Malvern Prep fumble and drove down to the Friars’ five-yard line. Once again, though, the Royals’ hopes were dashed after a bad snap sailed over Nikoi’s head and amounted to a loss of 13 yards. Nikoi then threw a pass that was batted into the air and intercepted in the end zone that killed the threat.
“We have a pass play that we think is going to work and the ball is snapped over (Nikoi’s) head,” Gentile said. “That’s nothing with our center. Just (stuff) happens. And with us just recently, (stuff) happens at the wrong time. Joe McKnight from Ridley told me once, ‘There (are) no magic wands.’”
The Royals promptly gave up a 75-yard touchdown run to Malvern Prep running back Kasim Brooks, Nikoi threw another interception and Friars reserve back Brandon Gentile busted a 40-yard touchdown run and suddenly Malvern Prep led 40-13.
A late touchdown pass from Nikoi to DeAndre Pendergrass capped the scoring for Upper Darby (2-4).
“You can’t give a team like that, with their offense, the ball within our 50 and we did that a couple of times,” Rich Gentile said. “We’re going into our sixth game. That’s something we need to work on. We turned the ball over without end and you can’t do that against a good football team. Just stuff happened at the wrong time.”

Pioneers roll past Penncrest

By BRENT GLASGOW
bglasgow@dailylocal.com

BERWYN – Conestoga coach John Vogan found few faults in his team’s effort Friday night, as the Pioneers rolled to a 38-7 victory over visiting Penncrest.
“I’m very proud of all phases of our game tonight, and our coaches had a great plan that the kids executed,” Vogan said. “Our defense bent a little bit but stiffened up when they had to, and our offense, take away the first series and they did exactly what they wanted to.”
Conestoga’s Marcus Burton ran for 188 yards and three touchdowns, and Joe Viviano went 14-of-22 for 199 yards and accounted for two TDs as the Pioneers scored on five straight possessions after being stopped on their first drive.
“We found our groove,” Burton said. “First drive was a little iffy, but after that we kept going and pounded the ball down the field.”
Conestoga’s blocking was superb, as Burton enjoyed some big running lanes.
“The line and my fullback Sam Cook were great tonight,” Burton said. “Sam really opened some great holes hitting the linebacker.”
Andrew DeStefano had eight catches for 115 yards, as Viviano connected with his favorite target despite increased attention.
“Teams are kind of catching on and trying to put two guys over him or trying to shade a safety up there, but he just really knows how to get off the press coverage and knows exactly where to break,” Viviano said. “He’s a real good player, and I’m lucky to have him.”
Conestoga’s defense did its part, with a key fourth-down stop in the first quarter and a fumble recovery early in the second to set the tone. Penncrest didn’t come close to the end zone until its only touchdown of the game, which came after the running clock went into effect with just under two minutes left in the third quarter.
Along with hitting all of his extra point attempts, Conestoga kicker Blaise Toroni split the uprights with a 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Penncrest’s Shane Donnelly finished 10-of-24 for 170 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, while Joe Gartland ran for 75 yards on 13 carries. Donnelly was sacked four times for minus-25 yards.
“That’s a tough team with a lot of athletes,” Vogan said. “They played very hard, and we needed a great effort to get this kind of result.”
Conestoga improved to 4-2 overall, 3-2 in the Central League, and the Pioneers face a big road trip to Strath Haven next Friday.
“We’ll enjoy this tonight and then worry about Strath Haven,” Vogan said. “Because of those two losses, we can’t afford another one, and we know that.”

Conestoga 38, Penncrest 7
Penncrest 0 0 0 7 – 7
Conestoga 7 21 7 3 - 38
Scoring
C-Viviano 21 run (Toroni kick)
C-Burton 20 run (Toroni kick)
C-Dorsey 35 pass from Viviano (Toroni kick)
C-Burton 9 run (Toroni kick)
C-Burton 2 run (Toroni kick)
P-Anderson 28 pass from Donnelly (Gonzales kick)
C-Toroni 36 field goal
Team Totals
P C
First downs 13 17
Yards rushing 116 239
Yards passing 170 199
Total yards 286 438
Passing 10-24-1 14-22-0
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
Penalties 1-5 3-20
Punts-Avg. 3-29 1-34
Individual Statistics
RUSHING – Penncrest: Gartland 13-75, Donnelly 12-20, Batipps 3-14, Trusty 1-5, George 1-2. Conestoga: Burton 21-188, Viviano 3-48, Prestipino 1-3.
PASSING – Penncrest: Donnelly 10-24-1-170. Conestoga: Viviano 14-22-0-234.
RECEIVING – Penncrest: Trusty 6-91, Young 2-35, Anderson 1-28, Frame 1-16. Conestoga: DeStefano 8-115, Dorsey 4-62, Quinn 1-19, Prestipino 1-3.
SACKS – Conestoga: Prestipino, Cox, Dolente, Pritchett.
INTERCEPTIONS – Conestoga: Gallagher.

Avon Grove players have common bond for a cause

By NATE HECKENBERGER

nateheckenberger@gmail.com

WEST GROVE -- The thought alone of missing one of her son’s football games made Tammy Braxton’s eyes overflow with tears.
It’s as scary a thought for a parent to consider as it is big and confusing for a teenage to comprehend, when health threatens life. So when Tammy was diagnosed with breast cancer the last week of February, all she and her second son Jared Braxton could do was shed tears.
“At first we both just cried,” Tammy said. “But I think it’s just made our relationship so much closer. And it was close to begin with. It’s created more of a connection with everything and opened a lot of doors.”
Braxton, a senior at Avon Grove, and his mother have always had one common bond: football. So when life became unpredictable, that one constant -- football -- became the catalyst for recovery.
For Jared, support was found in the same locker room. New teammate, but old friend, junior Andrey Green, who transferred from Bishop Shanahan in the offseason, had gone through the process about a year and a half prior when his mom Caroline Green fought and survived breast cancer.
Both Jared and Andrey had heard of “pink games” that were held elsewhere around the county. After inquiring about the program, the duo approached first-year head coach Doug Langley in the preseason about teaming up with Unite for Her, an organization dedicated to educating and helping women fighting breast cancer. It was Langley’s easiest decision of his young career.
“Both of our parents went through it, and we had heard of (UFH) a little bit last year,” Jared said. “We thought it would be something special to do. It’s a big day to spread awareness and something that can bring the whole community together.”
Saturday, on Homecoming against West Chester East at 2:30 p.m., Avon Grove will partake in its first “pink game.” Through the first month of the school year, Jared, Andrey and their teammates have been fundraising, largely by selling pink UFH t-shirts. When all the hard work and planning comes to fruition Saturday afternoon, it will be not only a platform to raise awareness, but a tribute to the women associated with the team who have fought or are still fighting (Avon Grove’s David Trosky’s mother, Linda, is currently undergoing treatments, as well).
“(Saturday) is going to mean a lot,” Green said. “I’m excited, and the players have been talking about it. Hopefully we can get the ‘W’ and the fans will be there to support all the moms. The community coming together is the best part about it.”
Unite For Her strives to help women battling with breast cancer by educating them about the disease, as well as providing avenues to enhance healing via nutrition, acupuncture, yoga and other methods. Sue Weldon, a breast cancer survivor of eight years, founded the organization in 2009.
Five other local high schools -- Bishop Shanahan, Unionville, West Chester East, West Chester Henderson and West Chester Rustin -- will join Avon Grove in hosting a pink game. Pierce and Fugett Middle Schools in the West Chester school district have also joined the campaign. A percentage of the funds raised will be given back to a selected woman with breast cancer in that respective community.
“It gives the kids a way to do something,” Weldon said. “Sometimes kids don’t know what to do, so it gives them a voice and an opportunity to give back.”
That’s precisely the case with Jared. His mom, who doubles as the President of the Avon Grove Booster Club, has been there for him since he played for the Wildcats in the Bert Bell League. Tammy was a team mom then and a host mom for many of the players often these days.
For Jared, helping to organize a pink game was an form of growth. The stitching on his custom cleats that reads “Thanks Mom,” is a reminder throughout the season.
“I did that to show my thankfulness for everything she’s done for me the past four years and everything before that,” Jared said. “It’s a little extra motivation that we’re going to get through this together.”
Tammy relishes every opportunity she has to see Jared play in his final year of high school.
“The biggest thing, when I was diagnosed, was that I want to be the person who goes places with my kids throughout their lives,” Tammy said. “I have a 22 year-old son (Shane) and a 17 year-old, and the thought of them doing anything without me there was not something I wanted to think about.”
“When I was diagnosed and found out when I was starting my chemotherapy, I started to count back on the calendar,” Tammy added. “My goal was to be recovered by the first football game. I didn’t want to be the sick, cancer-patient going to the games. As we were getting ready for summer camp I was cooking dinners for the boys and having them at the house, and that was fun to be able to laugh with and at them. That’s what got me through it... my kids and the boys.”
Jared, who’s established himself as quarterback Tanner Peck’s favorite target, leads the Red Devils with 11 receptions for 176 yards and a touchdown. Though Avon Grove is still looking for its first win this season, Saturday will be Jared’s most memorable game of his career, win or loss.
As if it was scripted in, Tammy’s final radiation treatment is today. After six weeks of radiation and four months of chemotherapy, Tammy will be a survivor. Which will come as no surprise to her biggest fan.
“I know she’s a strong person and would be able to get through it,” Jared said of his mom. “It took some time to set in, but when it did I just wanted to do everything I could to help her. To get her through it.”
Little did Jared know strapping up his helmet and tying the shoelaces, pink ones even, on his cleats would be all Tammy would ever need.

Warriors put perfect mark on the line

By PETER DiGIOVANNI

cpn11716@comcast.net

Week six is here and that means that half of the regular season is over for area football squads. Among the more interesting games tonight includes key Central League and Ches-Mont League matchups and a tough trip to Delaware for Downingtown East as they take on a very solid St. Mark’s team.
First up is undefeated (5-0) West Chester Henderson as they invade Kottmeyer Stadium to take on 4-1 Downingtown West. The winner of this clash will take the lead position as the team to chase Downingtown East for the National Division title.
Henderson has beeen playing superb defense led by Adam Weaver at linebacker and the Mitten twins, Chris and Phil, along with Spencer Rymiszewski in arguably the best secondary in the Ches-Mont. Head coach Steve Mitten is very wary of the Whippets and talked about what kind of a challenge Downingtown West will be for his club.
“Downingtown West is always so well prepared by Mike Milano,” Mitten said. “He moves people around, there is so much motion and people moving on almost every play. They execute their offense so well and Mike knows it so well it is very hard to prepare for. Coach Milano tests everything you know when you try to prepare for his offense.
“We seem to always play close games with Downingtown West and this should be no different. This is a very big challenge for us as we get into the heart of our schedule.”
Pick: Tough one to predict here and Mitten is right, these games always seem to go down to the end, but I’ll take Henderson 24-21.
In an importanty Central League clash, Conestoga, which has won two in a row -- both shutouts --  plays Penncrest, coming off a mild upset of Strath Haven. Conestoga head coach John Vogan talked about how physical the Lions are.
“They are a tough team that hits you on every play,” Vogan said. “They have a three-year starter at quarterback in Shane Donnelly and now they have some pieces around him. We have to be ready to match them physically.”
While the Pioneers will features the talents of QB Joe Viviano and receiver Andrew DeStefano, Vogan has been impressed with one other player.
“One guy who has really played well for us is Marcus Burton, who is running the football well and finding holes that are not there,” he added. “He worked incredibly hard in the weight room in the offseason and has made himself into a very good running back and he has picked us up the last two games.”
Pick: Conestoga 28, Penncrest 14.
Downingtown East (5-0)
at St.Mark’s (Del.) (4-0), 7 p.m.
The Spartans are generally regarded as among the three best teams in Delaware and they have a defense which is very senior laden. St. Mark’s has a good win over Dover and they are coming off a seven-point victory over Caesar Rodney, who defeated Downingtown West two weeks ago. The Cougars have score 42 points in four of their five games.
Pick: Downingtown East 21, St. Mark’s 13.
Bishop Shanahan (2-2)
 at Coatesville (3-2), 7 p.m.
You probably could not look much better than Coatesville did in a 42-0 wipeout of Unionville last week. Quarterback Emmett Hunt has still not thrown an interception this season. After scoring 57 points two weeks ago against Avon Grove, the Eagles gave up 50 to Henderson last week.
Pick: Coatesville 42, Bishop Shanahan 7.
West Chester Rustin (4-1)
at Great Valley (4-1), 7 p.m.
Great Valley is the latest team to take a big shot at the four-time defending American Division champs. The Pats rushed for over 400 yards last week at Oxford. The Rustin defense will not allow that.
Pick: W.C. Rustin 28, Great Valley 20.
Octorara (1-4)
at Haverford High, (4-1), 7 p.m.
Haverford has a fine senior quarterback in Eddie Durkin and that should be enough for the Fords to prevail here.
Pick: Haverford 35, Octorara 14.
Oxford (3-2) at Unionville (4-1), 7 p.m.
Oxford started the season 3-0 and now have lost two in a row and they get the pleasure of playing a very mad Indians bunch coming off the Coatesville pasting.
Pick: Unionville 34, Oxford 7.
Malvern Prep (2-2)
at Upper Darby (2-3), 7 p.m.
The Friars would seem to hold all the cards in this one. The Royals beat Lower Merion last week, but has given up 117 points in their last three games. Malvern had a week to get over its loss to state power La Salle.
Pick: Malvern Prep 31, Upper Darby 14.
Saturday’s games
West Chester East (1-4)
at Avon Grove (0-5), 2:30 p.m.
This pits two teams who are struggling so far this season, but East has more offense than the Red Devils and the Vikings should win on the road.
Pick: W.C. East 28, Avon Grove 21.
Sun Valley (4-1) at Kennett, 3:30 p.m.
You cannot play any harder and lose than Kennett did against Rustin last week, blowing a fourth-period lead. Sun Valley is not a joke anymore and this should be a tight one.
Pick: Kennett 21, Sun Valley 16.

Follow Peter DiGiovanni at twitter.com/dlnsports

Wittick, Whippets stun Warriors in final seconds

Staff photo by Tom Kelly IV/ Downingtown West's Jen Wittick scores the game-winning goal with 15 seconds left in Wednesday's game against W.C. Henderson.

By BRYAN DAVIS

bdavis@dailylocal.com

WEST CHESTER -- Job number one for West Chester Henderson coming into Wednesday’s Ches-Mont League National Division showdown with Downingtown West was to mark Whippets leading scorer Jen Wittick, to frustrate her and hold her off the scoreboard.

For 79 minutes and 45 seconds the plan worked to perfection, but one touch is all you need to turn a night’s worth of planning into a disappointing, bitter pill to swallow.

With fog settling in over J. Oscar Dicks Stadium and overtime looming like a gloomy ghost, Wittick scored with 15.3 seconds left to give Downingtown West a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Warriors on a warm, muggy evening. The win kept West perfect in the division at 9-0, while Henderson fell to 6-2, dropping its second straight league game after losing to West Chester East on Saturday.

"This was a typical Ches-Mont game, especially with Henderson," said Downingtown West coach Wes Davis. "In beteween the 18, You have to take care of your 10 yards in front of you. Both teams had chances, it was just a matter of which would take advantage of its opportuinty.

"They know that anything can happen with time on the clock. We got the corner, and with the ball bouncing, you want it to find Jen."

Despite the efforts of Henderson to stymie her, and a yellow card in the first half, Davis belived that his senior would come through.

"She stays focused no matter what. It was a physical game all around and she held her own the best she could," added Davis.

The buildup started moments earlier, when Wittick’s attempted bicycle kick was parried away by freshman goalie Jenna Maratea and the followup shot was knocked out for a corner kick.

The ensuing corner was cleared, but Amanda Treadway sent the ball back in from about 40 yards out. Wittick stopped the ball, turned and fired a shot that lofted over the hands of Maratea and into the top right corner of the net to break the deadlock and send the West bench into hysterics.

"Amanda Treadway shot it and I intercepted it," said Wittick. "It bounced off and I just turned and shot it and we’re happy it went in. Henderson is a great team and we didn’t want to go to overtime because you just never know. They were doubling me all night and I just had to keep playing."

For Henderson, the Warriors accomplished everything they wanted except scoring the goal that was needed.

"It was a good team effort," said coach Tom Gotthold. "I think we frustrated Downingtown West. We gave up little offense to help back more on defense. We were close to going to overtime, and you just never know, but we couldn’t clear the ball and Jen Wittick is a great player."

Wittick had one of the few clear-cut chances in the opening 40 minutes as her thumping header off a corner nestled into Maratea’s hands.

The half was mostly a territorial battle with neither team drawing a decided edge, West outshot the Warriors, 5-4, but in truth, both goalies were not really tested all that much.

The second half was almost a carbon copy with a little more tension thrown in. Henderson came close as Addy Zandi and Anna Trimble had efforts that just skipped wide.

An anxious moment for the Whippets came late in the half as Kelly Hicks’ long-range effort hung in the air as it lofted on goal. Goalie Annie Messner caught the ball right on her line.

"You always hold you breathe on those," said Davis. "But Annie is good when she has a chance to set her feet, she doesn’t usually make a mistake."

Henderson now has to regroup, but a loss like this can sometimes be a springboard to better times ahead, and with the district playoffs upcoming, we could be talking about this game as a turning point.

"I’m proud of the way we played defensively," said Henderson co-captain Natalie Deacon. "I think we played our best game of the season, so for me, as much as it was a heartbreak, I think this could be a turning point going into districts."

"You have to grow from a loss. You learn more from a loss than from a win," said Gotthold. "I’m very proud of our team, this was a great game, a fun game to watch."