Most sporting events billed as a “game of the year” turn into a dud.
Not tonight’s rendition of the Downingtown Civil War between East and West.
The Cougars from East won a tight affair over their cross town rivals, the Downingtown West Whippets, 21-14.
With the win, the Cougars lay claim to their second league title and top district playoff seed in four years.
The game was billed as West’s fast paced offense against East’s stifling defense. It lived up to the billing, as the Cougars held West to 64 yards rushing.
It started out with West moving the ball like a hot knife through butter. Whippets coach Mike Milano reached into his bag of tricks for a fake punt, to take a 7-0 lead. The drive was capped off when Quarterback Thomas Mattioni drove into the end zone on a four-yard run.
Following a turnover by West, Saunders Healy hit Cary Angeline on a four-yard pass to tie the game. The Cougars blew an opportunity to take the lead following another turnover by West, but a sack allowed time to expire at half, with a 7-7 tie.
Following a Whippet punt, Downingtown East took a 14-7 lead on another Healy to Angeline connection (28 yards), which was answered in three plays by West on a Mattioni to Braden Harper connection of 46 yards. Harper’s play skirting the sidelines was truly amazing.
A sneak by Saunders Healy put an end to the scoring, but not fourth quarter drama. West put together a frantic drive at the end of the game, which ended on an intentional grounding penalty on Mattioni on the last play of the game.
East coach Mike Matta heaped praise on his offensive line referring to them as, “…fantastic. They and Kincade are warriors. Our defense had a good scheme & played very well.”
Saunders Healy threw for 207 yards & two scores to Cary Angeline (113 yards, 6 catches), and Jack Kincade ran for 165 yards to pave the way for the Cougars.
West was led by Thomas Mattioni who threw for 290 yards, Braden Harper (98 yards receiving & 130 total), and Jake Barr (119 yards receiving).
