Ridley’s Defense “Batters” Downingtown East 28-7

When Dennis Decker was promoted from an Assistant Coach to Head Football Coach at Ridley, one of his objectives was to keep as much of the coaching staff in tact as possible.

Decker is sure glad that Ralph Batty decided to stay on as Defensive Coordinator as his defense shone in a 28-7 defeat of Downingtown East in the District One Class AAAA Semi-Final Football Playoff at Phil Marion field in Folsom on Friday night.

“Ralph Batty is the best Defensive Coordinator in District One, maybe even the state,” said Decker. “The way he breaks down film of the other team and the way he puts the kids in position to make plays,” he added.

The stats tell the story. East’s sophomore runningback Drew Harris, who entered the game with over 1,800 yards rushing, was held to 39 yards on 17 carries before being ejected from the game on a unsportsmanlike penalty midway through the fourth quarter. Trey Lauletta, who entered the game with over 2,000 yards passing was held to 133 yards passing on an 8-25 night. 54 yards came on his last completed pass, a 54 yard touchdown to Nick Damato when the game was out of reach.

While the Ridley defense has the answer for Downington East’s star sophomore runningback, East had no answer for Ridley’s sophomore runningback Jalen Randolph.

After being held to a net of zero yards on his first three caries, Randolph exploded for 135 yards on his next seven carries, including a 18 yard run with 4:50 to play in the second quarter that increased the Green Raider lead to 13-0. Randolph also caught two passes for 24 yards.

“Early in the year, it was just a matter of getting him touches,” said Decker. “Now he’s getting the touches,” he said.

“He is getting better and better every week,” said Ridley Quarterback Colin Masterson of his runningback.

Masterson himself had a good night. The senior quarterback threw for 142 yards on 11-17 passing and a five yard touchdown pass to Dion Shaw, Shahaid Smith scored the other two touchdowns for Ridley on runs of 11 and seven yards. Thr Green Raiders also had two touchdowns called back on penalties, one on an ineliglble reciever down field and a second when a punt return for a touchdown was called back on a questionable block in the back call.

With the win, seventh-seeded Ridley (12-1) now plays top seeded North Penn in the District One AAAA Championship next week at Coatesville while Downingtown East’s season ends with a 10-3 record and a Tri-Championship in the National Division of the Ches-Mont League.