Coming off their first victory of the season against West Chester East, Avon Grove was demolished by Downingtown West 50-13 on Friday night.
Avon Grove won the coin toss and decided to receive to start the game. Junior quarterback Tanner Peck was sacked by senior defensive end Ian Nanni on the Red Devils’ first play of scrimmage.
Downingtown West’s fast start on defense resulted in a safety with the snap to AG punter Kyle Roberston going out of bounds. Junior running back Mitch Meleski’s 24 yard option carry resulted with him scoring a 5 yard touchdown 32 seconds later. Meleski later scored another touchdown to give Downingtown West a 16-0 lead. The passing game of Downingtown West produced another touchdown when senior tight end Justin Schmitt caught a 21 yard pass from junior quarterback Nick Pagel. Downingtown West led Avon Grove 23-0 at the end of first quarter.
Avon Grove’s first touchdown came late in the second quarter when Peck threw a 9 yard pass to senior Jared Braxton. The extra point attempt was blocked by Junior defensive back Elijah Tinson. Downingtown West later responded with a touchdown by Teddy Varano on a fumble recovery and also on a 35 yard option carry by quarterback Nick Pagel. Downingtown West took a 37-6 lead as result of those two touchdowns.
Under three minutes ago in the half, Peck connected with Senior Tripp Moran with a 22 yard pass. Peck ran to pick up 10 yards and then throwing to freshman Beau Kush on the next play. That drive however ended on an Avon Grove penalty that resulted in a turnover on downs. Near the end of the 1st half, Meleski scored on a screen pass by Pagel. The halftime score was 44-6 in the Whippets’ favor.
Avon Grove’s final touchdown came on an 82 yard touchdown by senior Cody Davis. Downingtown West fired back with a kickoff return for a touchdown with 18 seconds to go in the third quarter by Teddy Varano.
The game was called near the end of the 3rd quarter due to smoke coming out of an electric box near the press box. This caused a mandatory evacuation from the stadium.
