DLN FOOTBALL WEEK 2: Burgess, Prevost lead potent Great Valley attack into Chester
Sure, the play was called for Josh Burgess, but if you ask Jake Prevost, there was never another option to begin with.
On a Saturday afternoon last October, Burgess lined up at the West Chester Rustin four yard line opposite of three receivers to the wide side of the field. The Great Valley junior drove two yards into the end zone before planting and pushing back to the pylon.
By the time Burgess turned his shoulders, Prevost fired a pass that connected with his target’s outstretched arms for the deciding score in the final minutes of the Patriots’ first win over Rustin since 2006.
“I knew 100 percent I was going to (Burgess),” Prevost said. “We ran that play 100 times in practice and I trusted him. Having that bond, I knew I was going to him the whole time.”
The win over Rustin was huge, but Unionville not only won the Ches-Mont American Division, but the 5A District 1 title. The last of Great Valley’s 2014 3A district champ team graduated in May, so Burgess and Prevost’s return to the Pats give them extra hope and added motivation for this 2018 season.
“We’re chasing the Ches-Mont title this year,” Burgess said. “It should be a good race with Oxford, Rustin and Unionville. We have to come out even better than last year.”
Great Valley finished 6-5 last year, capping the season off with a loss in a rematch with Rustin. With an abundance of turnover of talent from the other top teams in the division, the Pats are hoping it’s their turn to win their first American Division crown.
“They work well together, especially this year,” Great Valley coach Dan Ellis said of Burgess and Prevost. “Not that they weren’t good last year, but it’s amazing what confidence does for both of them. The way they practice, first of all it’s a great example for the rest of the team, but they practice so hard all the time. When they’re not practicing well they get angry and that’s good to see.”
Prevost stepped in at quarterback in week three last year and went on to throw for 1,294 yards and 14 touchdowns with only three interceptions.
“It’s always nice to have returning players but it’s especially nice to have a returning quarterback,” Ellis said. “When you’re breaking in a new quarterback, it’s the first time he’s seeing certain coverages or stunts, so you can build off that and do more.”
In the season opener a week ago, Prevost completed 16 of 19 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Burgess accounted for six receptions, 73 yards and a score in a win over Phoenixville.
“Jake’s my best friend,” Burgess said. “We’ve been playing together since seventh grade. We know each other’s tendencies and we’ve built off that to form what we have.He’s one of the smartest people I know.”
Burgess caught 28 passes for 462 yards and six TDs as a junior, and he’s expected to take on a bigger, and more diverse, role in the offense, all while doubling as an inside linebacker.
“Josh is my best friend,” Prevost said. “I love throwing to him. He’s so reliable and he works really hard and it shows on the field. He works the hardest on the team and gives his all every time.”
If the past can give hints about the future, the Ches-Mont has won three district titles in the smaller school bracket in the last decade. Many parts went into it, but the deciding factor was the game-breakers — Rondell White with Rustin in 2008, Nasir Adderley with Great Valley in 2014 and Joe Zubillaga with Unionville last year.
It’s yet to be seen if Burgess is that transcendent-type of player, but in Ellis’ offense the opportunities will be there.
“(Burgess) has been playing with a lot more confidence and his confidence level increases his ability because he knows he fits in in the big scene,” Ellis said. “The lower you go (in the PIAA classifications) the more impact a great player has.”
Great Valley added a piece in the offseason when running back Amani Christopher transferred from Conestoga. In week one, Christopher put up 192 yards of total offense and a TD.
Senior receiver Brendan O’Donnell gives the Pats yet another option in their attack, but when push comes to shove and the game is on the line again, put your money on Prevost looking for Burgess.
