Going into tonight, the Coatesville Red Raiders had multiple regular season win streaks, an overall regular season win streak of 14 games, and a league win streak of 7 games. Both came to a screeching halt at the hands of the Downingtown West Whippets (who are the last team to beat Coatesville in league and in the regular season), by a score of 31-16. Most would have considered this an upset, but it was by no means an upset of any kind. Downingtown West was 4-0 heading into tonight’s game and have wins over quality programs in Neshaminy, and an up and coming Haverford squad.
Considering the rainy weather, and the 7-3 score at halftime, nobody would have thought these two teams would have combined for 47 points. The score was not indicative of how well both teams offenses looked, as both teams combined for over 850 yards of offense and 47 first downs.
The game started off slow, as both teams offenses struggled to find a rhythm offensively. Coatesville quarterback Jordan Young threw a tip drill interception on their first possession, but the Red Raiders turned back Downingtown West’s offense on a missed field goal on the Whippets’ first possession. After the break that Coatesville received on a missed field goal, the Red Raiders systematically moved the ball, but stalled inside the 10 yard line, and settled for an Ibrahim Kallie field goal of 22 yards for a 3-0 advantage.
Downingtown West would answer Kallie’s field goal on the ensuing possession, when Michael Riddick plowed his way into the end zone from two yards out. Riddick’s touchdown seemed to fire up the Whippets, as they held Coatesville on downs on the next possession.
Downingtown West expanded their lead to 14-3 on the first drive of the second half, when Thomas Mattioni scored from a yard out. Another touchdown run by Michael Riddick (6 yards) put the Whippets up 21-3.
Coatesville was able to close the score to 21-9 on a four-yard Jordan Young run, but the Whippets were able to keep the Red Raiders at a two score deficit when Massimo Biscardi hit a 25 yard field goal, to get the lead to 24-9.
Aaron Young, the youngest member of the Young brothers, scored Coatesville’s final touchdown on the night from two yards out. However, Jordan Young’s third interception on the night, led to Downingtown West’s final touchdown, a 36-yard run while trying to run the clock out.
A disappointed Coatesville coach Matt Ortega stated after the game that he felt, “Downingtown West did a few things differently. They ran a different scheme with their counters. It was the mark of what a quality program Downingtown West has. They’re well coached. We left a lot out there in the first half.”
Downingtown West standout Jake Barr stated, ”It was great to beat Coatesville. Our line set up huge holes all night.” Quarterback Thomas Mattioni commented, “We did a lot of different motions. Our line is stronger. We hit the weight room over the summer.”
Whippet coach Mike Milano said, ”The offensive linemen are difference makers. They are all returners from last season, and some have played for three years. The seniors beat them two years ago, but were stung by last year. This is the first time in seven years that we felt that we didn’t have to trick people to win.”
STATS/SUMMARY
DW-0-7-7-17-31
CV- 3-0-0-13-16
CV- Ibrahim Kallie 22 FG
DW- Michael Riddick 2 run (Biscardi kick)
DW- Thomas Mattioni 1 run (Biscardi kick)
DW- Riddick 6 run (Biscardi kick)
CV- J. Young 4 run (Conversion failed)
DW- Massimo Biscardi 25 FG
CV- Aaron Young 2 run (Kallie kick)
DW- Jake Barr 36 run (Biscardi kick)
First Downs
DW- 24
CV- 23
Penalties (Yards)
DW- 4 (45 yards)
CV- 9 (75 yards)
Fumbles (lost)
DW- 2 (1 lost)
CV- 2 (NONE)
Punts
DW- 2 (19.5 avg)
CV- 2 (30.5 avg)
Rushing-
DW- Mattioni 10-85 (td), Barr 12-120 (td), Riddick 15-69 (2td), Kyriakos 6-30, Harper 4-33. TEAM 43-337
CV- J. Young 15-104 (td), Aaron Young 19-104, Hudson 2-15, Kirk 1-0. TEAM 37-223
PASSING
DW- Mattioni 10-17- 93 yards
CV- J. Young 18-35-206 yards-3 int
Receiving
DW- Alleyne 2-16, Barr 2-17, Riddick 1-8, Kyriakos 2-18, Burke 1-16, Harper 2-18.
CV- Kirk 5-72, Avery Young 4-57, Aaron Young 4-37, Hudson 2-15.
One response to “Whippets use big second half to halt Coatesville”
Very good article and game statistics!–Gave me a good feel for how the game went–whatever the final score was–and by including quotes from some players and both winning & losing coaches, you offer a comprehensive review of how the evening went and create interest in upcoming games.
Thank you very much to the writer and for your website! I will be bookmarking this site for sure!