East vs. West. Cougars vs. Whippets.
No matter how you say it, Chester County sports fans can’t say one without mentioning the other.
There is more on the line this year than bragging rights in the Downingtown area. Far more.
Both teams are 9-0 (5-0 Ches-Mont National), so an undefeated regular season and league title are on the line. District One playoff seeding is also affected, the Cougars have 1260 points, and the Whippets have 1230, the two highest totals. One game,with a 10-0 regular season, league title, top seed in districts, up to 3 home playoff games await the winner. The loser still likely gets a top 4 or 5 seed.
Downingtown East is led by a defense that has not given up an offensive touchdown in six weeks, since beating North Penn (28-24) in week 3. The leaders on defense are ball hawk defensive back Jeremy Jennings and linebacker Brody Wilson. In previous years, the Cougars had a solid defense, with a glaring hole. Not this year.
Offensively, Downingtown East is led by a massive offensive line, anchored by Maryland commit Mike Clark. Granted Cary Angeline (USC commit) and Saunders Healy get a lot of press, but the offense goes as their line goes.
On the other side, Downingtown West has a underrated defense that gets little press, anchored by linebacker Braden Harper and Jake Barr.
The Whippets’ offense needs no preview, their stats speak for themselves. Thomas Mattioni put together an amazing season. Jake Barr, Harper, and Michael Riddick have had great years. Unfortunately for West, Riddick is out (knee) for the remainder of the year.
