PETE’S PICKS: Rustin could pull stunner at Great Valley; Malvern will be tested by Imhotep

Week 6 is already upon us and we have a full slate of games on tap, with a big Ches-Mont American Division showdown between West Chester Rustin and Great Valley, and a very interesting nonleague game between two of the best teams in the state as Imhotep Charter visits Malvern Prep to take on the Friars. West Chester Rustin finally got into the win column last week by blowing out Oxford, 33-6, and the Golden Knights looked like the Rustin we have come to expect as they rushed for 300 yards and played power football.

FRIDAY’S GAMES
WC Rustin at Great Valley
Things get tougher this week as the Knights travel to first place great Valley and Knights head coach Mike St. Clair talked about what his team will have to do to come out on top.
“Great Valley is a very good spread team and they make you cover the entire field from sideline to sideline,” St. Clair said. “They have an experienced group of skill players and are very well coached in their system. We need to limit their possessions on offense, eliminate costly turnovers and penalties when we have the ball and control the football on offense.”
Great Valley has the leading quarterback in the Ches-Mont in Robert Geiss and a great receiver in Ryan Hubley, and the Patriots can score from anywhere on the field. But, even though Rustin is 1-4, the Golden Knights have played good defense the entire season. Let’s go for the upset and hope the old Rustin returns tonight.
The Pick: West Chester Rustin 24, Great Valley 21

Octorara at Avon Grove
This is a matchup of two struggling teams. Octorara is coming off a 41-13 loss to Kennett while the Red Devils have dropped three games in a row and have a lot of trouble scoring in the red zone. But the Octorara defense has given up an average of 33 points per game.
The Pick: Avon Grove 28, Octorara 14

Bishop Shanahan at Downingtown West
Bishop Shanahan is 5-0 for the first time in school history, while the Whippets are struggling. Downingtown West is coming off a very tough 48-9 rout by Coatesville. Whippet quarterback Kyle Geiser may not available for the second game in a row due to injury, so this may come down to how much fight the Whippets have left in them. I think they come out fighting but Shanahan may have too much offense for the Whippets.
The Pick: Bishop Shanahan 28, Downingtown West 24

West Chester East at Coatesville
West Chester East got a huge game from running back Jared Cooper, who torched Avon Grove for 221 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings’ 21-3 win. The Viking defense is playing well and is being led by Matt Erfle, who had 15 tackles against the Red Devils. But Coatesville has the superstar, Aaron Young, who scored five touchdowns and rushed for 324 yards in a little more than a half last week against Downingtown West.
The Pick: Coatesville 35, W.C. East 13

Sun Valley at Kennett
Sun Valley was knocked from the unbeaten ranks by Great Valley last week while Kennett may be the most improved team in the Ches-Mont. Quarterback Jake Dilcher rushed for 105 yards last week and Myles Robinson is one of the best backs in the league. Kennett may be a team on the rise and it looks like the Blue Demons may pull the upset here against a Sun Valley team that gives up points.
The Pick: Kennett 23, Sun Valley 20

Unionville at Oxford
Unionville is a team that is beset by injuries and the Indians have been having a lot of trouble moving the football. Oxford really struggled on both sides of the ball in the Hornets’ loss to Rustin last week. Oxford gave up 339 total yards to Rustin, including 300 on the ground. But the Indians still seem to have enough to down the Hornets.
The Pick: Unionville 31, Oxford 14

Conestoga at Upper Darby
Conestoga finally got into the win column by blanking a weak Harriton squad, 21-0, last week. Conestoga held the Rams to less than 100 total yards. Upper Darby has given up a ton of points this season but the Royals can move the football enough to beat the Pioneers.
The Pick: Upper Darby 34, Conestoga 14

Imhotep Charter at Malvern Prep
This is a big matchup between two of the best teams in the state. Imhotep Charter is the defending PIAA Class 3A champion and has outscored its four opponents, 212-6, this season. But Malvern is a much bigger opponent than Imhotep is used to in the Philadelphia Public League. I still like Imhotep here.
The Pick: Imhotep Charter 34, Malvern Prep 24

SATURDAY’S GAME
West Chester Henderson at Downingtown East
Downingtown East has the best defense in the Ches-Mont and the Cougars have one of the best in District 1. East has allowed 100 yards of total offense in its last two wins. The Cougar defense is led Will Kiely and Seth Davis. Henderson dropped a close one to Bishop Shanahan last week and the Warriors have drppoed two in a row. Henderson will have trouble moving the ball against the stout Cougar defense.
The Pick: Downingtown East 28, West Chester Henderson 7