The battle behind Coatesville could go in any direction
Coatesville head coach Matt Ortega during football practice in August. (PETE BANNAN-DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA)
Can anyone stop Coatesville?
This may be a district-wide question at some point, but of course there is so much to learn and so much that can happen.
On paper, Coatesville looks primed to make another run at a District 1 Class 6A title, but no one ever won anything on paper.
It’s fair to call the Red Raiders the favorites in the Ches-Mont National Division after a run to the 6A semifinals. The crazy part is most of their core skill players aren’t even seniors yet.
Avery Young is the elder statesman of the group as a senior who’s committed to play at Rutgers University and is one of the best wide receivers and cornerbacks in the district. Then there’s his little brother, Aaron Young, a junior who’s gotten tons of Division 1 offers already, as well as sophomore quarterback Ricky Ortega and juniors Kahtero Summers and Mekhi Alexander, who play big roles in the pass game.
The defense gets overshadowed, understandably, but if the offense scores as it did a year ago, with everyone a year older now, good luck throwing on one of the more athletic secondaries to attempt a comeback.
After the Red Raiders, it’s your usual suspects. Downingtown East seems in position to be the top contender. Having Bryce Lauletta back under center for a second year gives them stability and freedom in the offense.
Brassir Stocker is the next up-and-coming star as a junior defensive back. The Cougars will need to find some of the explosiveness that was seemingly missing at times a year ago.
PETE BANNAN DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Bishop Shanahan quarterback Dan DiBeneditto throws during pre-season practice.
From there it might be a race to who can figure out their lines faster. Bishop Shanahan and West Chester Henderson were 5A playoff teams a year ago, while Downingtown West fell short of the 6A bracket, but rarely misses in back-to-back years.
Henderson has the most stable quarterback situation out of the trio, with Joe Saulino returning as a dual-threat quarterback. He and CJ Preston should present major challenges to opposing defenses, but it’s Henderson’s ability to replace starters on the line and defense that will sway their season.
Shanahan will have a first-year quarterback in Dan DiBeneditto, who the Eagles expect to fill in seamlessly for graduated Nick Skulski. DiBeneditto only threw three passes a year ago, but two were for touchdowns.
The Whippets have senior quarterback Kyle Geiser back, but upstart sophomore Will Howard is pushing him and will likely force his way into the lineup, at least part time. Quarterback rotations aren’t always great, but giving coach Mike Milano more weapons to maneuver often bodes well for West.
Avon Grove’s Shane Wolford is back for a second year at quarterback, but without star runner Nate Jones, expect the Red Devils to throw it around a bit more. West Chester East lost a ton of senior contributors, but first-year coach Scott Stephen will rely on Jared Cooper, one of the best backs in the league.
PETE BANNAN DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Unionville football coach Pat Clark during August football practice.
In the American Division, Unionville has run off a pair of division titles in a row and seem poised to compete for a third.
The Indians lost a lot on defense, especially a good linebacking corps, but their skill kids on offense are almost all back. Head coach Pat Clark likes to spread the ball around and he will have options this year with quarterbacks Alex Gorgone and Joe Zubillaga and running backs Jack Adams and Dante Graham.
West Chester Rustin is coming off its worst season since its inaugural campaign and the Golden Knights have worked to tighten things up. There is no big name for defensive coordinators to circle on the game plan, but the Knights have some depth at running back with Nick Benoit, Michael Covert and JT Aloisio.
Expect Rustin’s defense to be back to its typical stingy self, as well.
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A team that could be on the rise is Oxford. The Hornets lost three games by three points or fewer last year and have quarterback Chandler England and versatile weapons in Brandon Holz and Brandon DeShields.
Great Valley lost a ton of offensive firepower so there will be a learning curve for the Patriots, but coach Dan Ellis always finds ways to put points on the board.
Octorara has some skill back with quarterback Trent Pawling and running back Damian Fahy, but as always with the Braves, finding depth, especially on the lines, is key for their success.
Kennett welcomes Josh Kauffman to the sidelines as its new coach, the fourth since 2009. A threat with his arm and legs, senior Jake Dilcher is Kennett’s best option from the quarterback position.
Sun Valley graduated much of it’s offensive skill, leaving Caliph Jones to bear the brunt of the responsibility from the running back position.
Nine out of the 14 Ches-Mont teams have returning quarterbacks, which typically bodes well over starting first-year guys. With the playoffs spread out in six classifications, the Ches-Mont is once again in line to make some noise, but as stated at the top, that will be decided on the field.
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