Ches-Mont National games begin in Week Three

By Peter DiGiovanni
pdigiovanni07@gmail.com
@PeteDLN on Twitter
All but two area teams will seek action a day early in Week Three of the scholastic football season Rosh Hashanah holiday. The Ches-Mont League National Division commences play and Malvern Prep travels to play Imhotep Charter, the top-ranked team in the state in the 5A bracket. Here is a look at all of the week’s action.

Thursday’s games
Downingtown West (3-0) at Avon Grove (2-1), 7 p.m.
Downingtown West is coming off an impressive 42-17 road win at Neshaminy last Friday. The Red Devils were downed by Owen J.Roberts, 33-7. The Whippets’ air assault of quarterback Quinn Henicle to Jake Kucera and Dean Hangey will severally test an Avon Grove defense that gave up 224 yards in the air to the Wildcats. The Red Devils will need another big game from running back Harrison Watson to try to keep the Whippets offense off the field.

Pick: Downingtown West 35, Avon Grove 13

Bishop Shanahan (1-2) at Downingtown East (3-0), 7 p.m.
Downingtown East has been a tough running team again this season, but quarterback JJ Helverson added a new dimension to the attack last week. Helverson was 14-of-16 for 201 and two scores in a 37-6 win over Delaware Valley. The Eagles do not look to have the size up front to match up with the Cougars’ offensive line.

Pick: Downingtown East 35, Bishop Shanahan 7

Upper Darby (0-3) at Conestoga (1-2), 7 p.m.

The Conestoga defense has played well all season but they have struggled to score points this season. This should be the game the Pioneers finally get things going offensively against a porous Royals defense. Look for quarterback Jude Cook to find some holes in the Upper Darby secondary.

Pick: Conestoga 28, Upper Darby 7

Oxford (0-3) at Great Valley (1-2), 7 p.m.
Oxford suffered a close 15-12 loss to Unionville in a game that was postponed twice due to weather problems. The Hornets’ first three games came at home and they have gotten of to slow starts in all of them.

Great Valley downed Sun Valley 21-13. The Patriots have a very good passing attack led by Braden Melia. The senior threw for 217 yards in the win over the Vanguards. Cole Callahan is a very adept receiver and is one of a multiple targets at Melia’s disposal.
Running back JJ Boyer needs to have a big game for Oxford to help keep Melia and friends off the field.

Pick: Great Valley 21, Oxford 14

Kennett (2-1) at WC Rustin (2-0), 7 p.m.

Kennett used a second-half rush to down Henderson, 15-14. This matchup with the Golden Knights will come down to if the defense can somehow hold down running back Chase Hatton. He torched West Chester East for 143 yards on just 13 carries and along with quarterback David McClain, cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses.

Kennett is a tough, well-coached squad that will not quit. Ian Guyer is a threat to break a long run off at anytime and senior quarterback Chase Patalano has a good arm and can tuck the ball down and run for yardage.

Pick: WC Rustin 24, Kennett 21

Unionville (2-1) at WC East (1-2), 7 p.m.
East dropped a 32-15 decision to Rustin and Unionville won a close game over Oxford last Sunday. This looks to be a pretty even matchup with both squads needing a win to move up in the District 1 playoff race. Vikings quarterback Nate DeRosa threw for 131 yards in the loss last week.

Pick: WC East 17, Unionville 14

Sun Valley (0-3) at WC Henderson (1-2), 7 p.m.
The question here is if the Warriors can put the Kennett loss behind them and play like they did in the first half. Henderson gave up a 14-point lead, getting outscoured 15-0 in the second half.

Look for quarterback Braden O’Connell to find some holes in the Vanguards secondary. Evan Kearney caught eight passes for 104 yards last week.

Sun Valley rushed for over 200 yards in its 21-13 loss to Great Valley. The Vanguards are 0-3, but they are a tough squad and Henderson will have to play well to come out with a win.

Pick: WC Henderson 27, Sun Valley 13

Friday’s games
Penn Wood (1-2) at Coatesville (2-1), 7 p.m.
Nothing went right for Coatesville in its 35-13 drubbing at the hands of Central Dauphin. Interceptions gave the Rams a short field twice in the second half and the defense gave up its first points of the season. Look for the Red Raiders to pour it on against a struggling Penn Wood squad.

Pick: Coatesville 42, Penn Wood 13

Malvern Prep (2-0) vs. Imhotep Charter (3-0) at Germantown Supersite, 7 p.m.
Malvern Prep has a very good defense and the Friars will need that to slow down a very talented Imhotep squad that is the top-ranked team in the state in 5A. Imhotep has multiple Division 1 athletes and they sport a very impressive 35-0 win over the Haverford School two weeks ago.

Pick: Imhotep Charter 21, Malvern Prep 17