Tonight’s matchup between the Coatesville Red Raiders and Bishop Shanahan Eagles at Jack Mancini Field, was a mismatch in every way.
With Octorara departed to the Lancaster-Lebanon League, and District 3, Bishop Shanahan has become the lone 4A school, and the smallest school in either division of the Ches-Mont League. Coatesville is the largest school in the league based on enrollment.
The size of both schools’ rosters and the gap in talent was also significant, as the 49-0 score indicated. Coatesville showed why they are possibly the best team in District 1 (and the state). They piled on 428 yards of offense and 42 first half points. Despite the impressive offensive numbers Coatesville put up, the score could have been worse in their favor. A holding penalty nullified a Coatesville touchdown on the opening kickoff.
On Coatesville’s second possession of the game, Aaron Young bolted 55 yards to put the Red Raiders on the scoreboard. Junior quarterback Ricky Ortega was involved in the next five Coatesville touchdowns, a ten-yard run, two passes to Dapree Bryant (60 & 25 yards), a pass to Dymere Miller (26 yards), and an eight-yard pass to Bryant. The 25-yard pass to Bryant was something off a highlight reel. It was a one-handed catch and he managed to keep his feet in bounds. It was impressive.
The 42-0 advantage put the mercy rule in place, but Coatesville’s backups were able to add a touchdown in the third.
Statistically, Ricky Ortega had his best game of the season tonight, throwing for 210 yards (with four touchdowns), rushing for 92 yards plus a score, before being removed at halftime. Aaron Young ran for 126 and a score. Top receiver Dapree Bryant had 139 yards and three scores on six catches.
Based on what I saw tonight, I don’t see many teams beating Coatesville this season. The main thing they MUST clean up, is the penalties. Although the Red Raiders were penalized 13 times for 96 yards. Only two were remotely significant, the holding penalty that nullified a touchdown on the opening kickoff and an intentional grounding penalty on Ricky Ortega.
