It is rare that championships are won in a team’s third game of the season. That being said, the boro of West Chester had its championship decided already. In what has been a regular occurrence since Rustin High School opened in 2006, the Golden Knights from Westtown won the boro championship again.
One week after dominating the Warriors from Henderson (37-6), the Golden Knights demolished the West Chester East Vikings by a 49-7 score.
Although the Golden Knights were able to move the ball with little resistance in building a 27-7 halftime advantage, they got in their own way with nine first half penalties which stalled a few drives.
Nick Benoit got Rustin on the board, with a four-yard run to cap off a 12 play and 79 yard drive. Following a Viking punt, Rustin had a drive stall with 2 of their four first half holding penalties.
The Golden Knights expanded their lead to 14-0, when Benoit scored from 12 yards out. Following the kickoff, the Vikings hit a big play from Kyle Cichanowsky’s 36-yard run, then a 36-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Cassidy to Michael Gray to cut the lead to 14-7.
From here on out, it was all Rustin. The Golden Knights scored twice before half on a run by quarterback Will Pileggi, and a 14-yard pass from Pileggi to Collin Hurley in a well executed 2 minute drill, to get a 27-7 halftime advantage.
The rout continued to the mercy rule when Michael Covert rumbled to a score from 39 yards out, and a 5-yard run from Tyler Kaliner and a 2-point conversion run by Nick Benoit, to put the lead at 42-7 with 16 seconds left in the third quarter. Rustin’s backups scored when Kalimer scored his second touchdown.
The story was Rustin’s defense. West Chester East was smothered to the count of 7 first downs, 97 yards passing, and 110 total yards.
Viking coach Scott Stephen said, ”Life gives you a couple of whoopings over time. No matter the score, we support and encourage each other.”
Mike St. Clair from Rustin was emphatic saying, “winning West Chester was the priority number 1. Priority number two is winning the Ches Mont League.”
Michael Covert paced Rustin with 158 yards and two scores.
Summary-
RHS- 7- 20- 15- 7- 49
WCE- 0- 7- 0- 0- 7
WCR. WCE.
First Downs 27. 7
Penalty-yds. 11-96. 4-41
Punts-Yards. 1-39. 6-33
Rushes-Yds. 50-393. 18-13
C-a-I. 6-13-0. 9-21-0
Yards. 63. 97
Total yards. 456. 110
