They say payback can come in many ways. Tonight, in their third meeting on the gridiron in less than a calendar year, the Coatesville Red Raiders got payback on the Downingtown West Whippets, by a score of 22-14. Coatesville’s win tonight avenged their defeat at the hands of the Whippets in last year’s district championship.
The game featured everything, from a safety on a bad snap over a punter’s head, to a 95-yard run on a quarterback sneak.
Downingtown West got on the scoreboard first, when Nahsir Harris scored on a one-yard run. Coatesville successfully counterpunched on a McClain-Jackson two-yard run, and a 7-6 lead. The Whippets got a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead on an Evan Wickersham 40-yard pass to Elijah Ford.
Following a West punt and a botched punt return leaving Coatesville at their own one-yard line, was one of the wildest sequences I have ever seen. Coatesville signal-caller Harrison Susi ran for 94 yards on a QUARTERBACK SNEAK, and the drive went 95 yards but did not score a touchdown. The drive ended in a missed field goal.
After halftime, it became clear that Downingtown West’s lack of depth impacted them. The combination of Coatesville’s physicality upfront, and the Whippets having a lot of kids play both ways, wore out west.
In military speak, Coatesville’s offensive line skull dragged the Whippets all second half. Downingtown West was shut out in the second half (15-0) due to a safety on a bad snap, and two Harrison Susi touchdown runs. The Whippets had more punts (9) than first downs (8) and more penalties than Coatesville (6-5).
Red Raider Harrison Susi had 159 yards rushing and two touchdowns (18 carries), Dametrius McClain-Jackson had 94 yards and a touchdown (14 carries). Ashton Wesley had 62 yards on 13 carries.
Coatesville coach Matt Ortega stated, “Offensively they’re still trying to find an identity, and going into the season, our defense was our strength.”
