Downingtown East Outduels Frankford

August 30, 2013

Philadelphia, Pa., The Downingtown East Cougars have endured a very long off season.  Smarting from last year’s District One first round upset to Wissahickon they were anxious to get the 2013 season underway. They did not disappoint in claiming a 27-14 hard fought win at Frankford.

“We never stopped thinking about that loss” lamented Kevin DiStefano. Teaming with fellow safety Justin Cohen, the duo combined for 17 tackles, 3 interceptions (all by Cohen), two forced fumbles and DiStefano’s momentum changing 2nd half fumble recovery leading to a Cougar touchdown.

Frankford was always dangerous with players that can take it to the house at the drop of a hat. The Cougars were about to go into the locker holding a 14-0 lead when the Pioneers Damion Samuels outran the entire Downington kickoff team giving them momentum at half.

Momentum changing plays is such an important part of high school football. Recognizing this, the safety duo decided to take things into their own hands. On Frankford’s first, second half possession DiStefano stripped Samuels of the ball on a sideline pass from Marquise Poston and recovered the strip leading to a one yard touchdown by Ryan Rumer and a two score advantage. “At half, I was told to sky down looking for the receiver in the flat when they went in trips formation” said DiStefano. ” When he got the pass I was fortunate to be right there to make the play”

Three more int’s (two by Cohen and one for a TD by Ryley Angeline) aided in keeping the Pioneers from gaining their own momentum back. Frankford also hurt themselves with five penalties for 53 yards on one third quarter possession.

While Cohen and DiStafano are both juniors, Downingtown coach Mike Matta will certainly be glad to have this tandem make the same type of plays for the next two years.

Downingtown East of the Ches-Mont National battles another non conference slippery opponent in Roman Catholic next week while Frankford (District 12, Pub) entertains Pennsbury.

Notes: DTE, QB Rumer is the brother of Temple QB Tom Rumer. Prior Frankford two year starting QB and Temple walk on Tim DiGeorgio was a total team player giving instruction and handing out water on the Frankford sideline. Pioneer DE, Shareef Miller (6’5″, 218), has Jason Pierre Paul size and made a couple of sizzling tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He has been offered by Rutgers. Both team’s quarterbacks were lefties. DiStafano broke 6 tackles on his second half kick return which gave the Cougars good field position.

                    1st          2nd          3rd          4th               Totals

DTE            7                7                 7                6                    27

FKD            0                 7                0                7                    13                       

Scoring by Quarter

1st Quarter 

DTE – Ryley Angeline – 4 yard run – (PAT – Drew Brennen) – 7:05

2nd Quarter

DTE – Mike Reichwein – 5 pass from Ryan Rumer (PAT – Brennen) – :40

FKD – Damion Samuels – 87 yard kickoff return – (PAT – Prince Cooper) – :22

3rd Quarter

DTE – Rumer – 1 yard run (PAT – Brennen) – 10:10

4th Quarter

FKD – Marquise Poston – 2 yard run – (PAT – Cooper) – 8:16

DTE- Angeline –  17 yard interception return – (PAT – no good) – 4:59