Like in most years, the Ches-Mont league title was decided near the end of the season. For the fourth straight year, the Coatesville Red Raiders clinched a share of the league title, by defeating the Whippets of Downingtown West in a hard hitting 29-21 contest.
It sets up a outright win, or a three way shared title situation next week.
The game was billed as a showdown between division 1 bound quarterbacks Ricky Ortega (Villanova) of Coatesville and Wil Howard (Kansas State) of Downingtown West. Both quarterbacks accounted for at least three scores- but it was Ortega who made more clutch plays with his feet, and Coatesville’s receivers made plays where West’s made crucial drops.
Coatesville got on the scoreboard first on a sneak by Ortega, as he showed no ill effects of a lingering foot injury on a quarterback sneak. Maximus Hale tied the game on a two yard plunge.
The Red Raiders took a 20-7 lead into halftime on a second touchdown run by Ortega, and a 17 yard pass from Ortega to Dapree Bryant. In the first half, Ortega threw for 229 yards.
Starting the second half, Downingtown West roared back to take a 21-20 lead- on a Wil Howard 1 yard run, and a 2 yard option run following a 10 yard punt by Coatesville. By the end of the third quarter, Ricky Ortega scored on a 1 yard run, following a bloop kick.
Hadzor kicked a 27 yard field goal for the final score. But the ending was a bit interesting. Julian Williams returned a punt to the Coatesville 23, but the Red Raiders’ defense held.
The game was chippy- 8 personal fouls were called. Statistically- Ortega threw for331 yards, and had two receivers go over 100 yards (Dapree Bryant- 147 and Stewart had 113)
