There is a saying in sports, that it’s better to win ugly, than not to win at all.
In a large majority of instances when a team gives up 382 yards of offense, only gets 221 total yards, gets held to under 75 yards rushing, averages under three yards a carry, gets only nine first downs, and punts five times, you’d think the game would be a blowout.
Tonight was not one of those instances as Downingtown West beat the Haverford School by a score of 13-7. Tonight, the ultimate equalizers were the five lost fumbles by Haverford and a plus-four turnover margin by Downingtown West. The Fords lost fumbles at crucial times, inside the Whippets’ five-yard line, another one at midfield after a punt on the opening drive of the game, and another one on the final drive of the game in Whippet territory.
Following a scoreless first half (and a Haverford turnover at midfield), Downingtown West was able to score first, when Evan Wickersham hit Elijah Ford on a 31-yard pass play. It did not take long for Haverford to tie the game, on a quarterback sneak by their quarterback Galasso, two plays after a 70-yard pass from Galasso to Knox.
In the fourth quarter, West dipped into their bag of tricks, with a double reverse flea-flicker from Wickersham to Ford (34 yards). The drive was capped off by a Ryan Waters seven-yard run.
After the game, West coach Mike Milano was proud of his kids. They battled through adversity with the flooding in the town, which meant limited practice Wednesday and Thursday. It was a big win against a solid team.
