Cardinals use big second half to cruise to 5A district championship

There’s one thing you can count on. West Chester Rustin’s Golden Knights being one of the last Chester County teams playing playoff football postseason. Although the Golden Knights were the last Ches-Mont team left, their quest for their first District one  5A title since 2007 will have to wait another year, as they were defeated by the Upper Dublin’s Cardinals 29-8.

Rustin’s vaunted Wing T struggled to gain traction against Upper Dublin’s smothering defense. The Golden Knights could only muster 103 yards rushing and 126 total yards.

Following a three and out from Rustin to start the game, the Cardinals went through Rustin’s defense like a hot knife through butter, Capped off by a nine-yard pass from Colin O’Sullivan to Logan Trimm for a 7-0 lead.

Rustin was able to take an 8-7 lead into the half, by capitalizing on  Colin O’Sullivan’s only mistake, an interception by Anthony Meadows. Dayshawn Jacobs cashed in on the turnover on a 24-yard run and a Tucker Flynn run on a bad snap.

From halftime on, it was all Upper Dublin. Jake Rossman put the Cardinals ahead for good (14-8), on a short run. Upper Dublin cashed in on an interception, when Micah Bootman scored from three yards out (along with a conversion pass from O’Sullivan) for a 22-8 lead. Chris Kohlbrenner made a 28-yard house call off another interception to close out the scoring at 29-8.

Regardless of the outcome next week against Erie Cathedral Prep, Upper Dublin will have a bright future at quarterback. Colin O’Sullivan is a sophomore, who played with a lot of poise. He threw for 215 yards on 20-26 passing. Micah Bootman had 92 yards receiving.

After the game, Mike St. Clair of Rustin was happy with their season. He said they played “ball buster schedule. Our senior class set a good example with their leadership.” “We ran into a hot quarterback, and they were just better tonight.”

Upper Dublin 7 0 7 15 – 29

West Chester Rustin 0 8 0 0 – 8

Scoring Plays

1^st Quarter

UD – Colin O’Sullivan 9 pass to Logan Trimm (Owen Carl kick) :51

2^nd Quarter

R – Dayshawn Jacobs 24 run (Tucker Flynn run) 7:54

3^rd Quarter

UD – Jacob Rossman 1 run (Owen Carl kick) 5:25

4^th Quarter

UD – Malik Bootman 2 run (O’Sullivan pass to Bootman) 11:13

UD – Chris Kohlbrenner 28 interception return (Owen Carl kick) 3:50