Entering Friday’s night Chest-Mont league against the West Chester Bayard Rustin Knights the Sun Valley Vanguards knew they were in for a difficult task has the Knights are one of the better teams in the league.”Rustin’s a great football they got mammoths up front speed and talent.” Vanguard Head Coach Mark Possenti said. Making the task tougher was that the Vanguards had to do without the services of senior quarterback Billy Hudson for unspecified reasons. Filling in for Hudson was Freshman TJ Mancini. Despites Mancini’s effort the Vanguards fell 46-0. When speaking about Mancini play Possenti said “I thought it was great” adding that “he came steps in and shows a lot of heart. Mancini found out he was starting after school on Thursday. Mancini admit that there was some nervous as the game got started. The game also marked the homecoming for Golden Knight head coach Mike St. Clair a Sun Valley Alum. “It’s always a great time I still have a lot friends and family here and it’s a great place to be. St. Clair said
The Golden Knights wasted little time getting the scoring started on the games opening kick-off DeVante Dixon fielded the ball at his own four yard-line and raced practically untouched for the 94 yard touchdown to give the Golden Knights the 6-0 lead just 16 seconds into the game. On the ensuing Vanguard drive they would punt and the Golden Knights added to their lead with Cordario Taylor powered his way in from yard out. Following a interception by Chris Amicone the Golden Knights were again in business and they need only three plays to extend their lead to 19 when Andrew Fithian connected with Anthony Nash for a 32-yard touchdown. On the next Golden Knight drive Fithian and Nash connected again this time from 19 yards out. Frank O’Donnell extended the lead to 33 with his 30-yard touchdown run.
The Golden Knight defense was just as impressive has the offense. They sacked Mancini five times included two by Chase Hoyt. “We have great coaches we just came out to play.” Hoyt said.
In the second quarter the Golden Knights continued where they left off at scoring 13 more points. The first came compliments of Taylor’s 15-yard touchdown run. Joe Pallidino capped the scoring with his 10-yard touchdown run to give the Golden Knights the 46-0 halftime lead.
The Vanguards will travel to Malvern next Friday to take on Great Valley at 7 pm while the Knights will play Octorara
