Hot start propels Rustin over Kennett
KENNETT SQUARE—The Rustin Golden Knights (2-1) rebounded from a tough loss to crosstown rival West Chester East last weekend with a convincing 28-7 victory on the road at Kennett (0-3) Friday night.
After allowing 270 yards of rushing to the Vikings, the Knights plugged every hole and shed every block, limiting the Blue Demons to just 79 yards on the ground, and 233 yards of total offense.
“I thought defensively we did a really good job tonight,” said Rustin coach Mike St Clair. “We corrected a lot of the mistakes from last week. Lance (Frazier) is doing a nice job coaching over there for Kennett and has them playing tough, so we’re happy to come away with a win tonight.”
Rustin came out of the gate on fire, reeling off a 3-play, 66 yard scoring drive the first time they touched the ball. Highlighted by a 36-yard run by Nick Madonna (7 carries, 100 yards) and capped by a 9-yard scamper from Mike Covert (11 carries, 51 yards, 2TD), the drive took a mere 59-seconds.
“The o-line was opening up holes all night,” said Covert. “The line blocked really well and I had holes to hit. We all just had a lot of fun tonight. We got out to the big lead, but just kept trying to add on to it. It’s great getting the first league win of the season, but the season will just keep getting tougher from here, so we’ve got to work hard.”
The Knights were up 21-0 by halftime on a 38-yard run from Madonna, and Covert sneaking it in from two yards out midway through the second, and had put up 233 yards of offense in the half while allowing a mere 70.
“Our defense really needed to step up our game tonight,” said Rustin defensive lineman Matt Montgomery, who had a pair of sacks on the night. “Our offense has been a defense’s dream. They don’t score too quick, but still get the touchdown. They give us a break to keep us from getting tired, so we have to return the favor by not giving up points.”
After Michael Burke bumped the Knights’ lead to 28-0 with an 8-yard touchdown run early in the third, Rustin was threatening to put the game into Mercy rule. Rustin started throwing, and had moved deep into Kennett territory when quarterback Will Pillegi went for the end zone. But Richie Forte picked off the pass and Kennett took over at its own two foot line.
The pick lit a spark under Kennett, and they began to find a passing game, with Forte hitting five different receivers for 119 yards and a touchdown to Garrett Cox in the second half. But only once would the Blue Demons find the end zone, as the Knights defense dug in.
“It started feeling like backyard football out there,” said Montgomery. “In the huddle, we were all starting to get a little frustrated, but we just got each other hyped up and doing what we needed to do to get the job done.”
Forte finished the night with 154 yards on 12 of 19 passing, while Cox chipped in with 107 all-purpose yards.
“We played hard against a very good team and never backed down,” said Frazier. “Forte is young, and hasn’t played a ton of quarterback before this year outside some wildcat, so we’re pleased with the way he’s coming along. He can run the football and he’s very athletic. Garrett is a downhill bruiser and he’s got soft hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield. We started to find our way in the second half, and hopefully we can start finding it earlier.”
Rustin improves to 2-1 on the season, and picked up its first Ches-Mont American win. Next up is Penn Wood before the Knights settle into the division schedule.
“The American division is wide open,” said St Clair. “There’s good coaches everywhere. Good players everywhere. The division is up for grabs. We played well tonight. We just have to take things week to week and keep looking to improve.”
WC Rustin 14 7 7 0 –28
Kennett 0 0 0 7–7
First Quarter
WCR—Covert 8-run (Powers kick) 7-0
WCR—Madonna 38-run (Powers kick) 14-0
Second Quarter
WCR—Covert 2-run (Powers kick) 21-0
Third Quarter
WCR—Burke 8-run (Powers kick) 28-0
Fourth Quarter
KEN—Cox 8-pass from Forte (Schwarz kick) 28-7
Team Statistics
WCR KEN
First downs 10 13
Rushes-yards 39-221 23-79
Passing 6-9 12-19
Passing yards 94 154
Total yards 315 233
Punts 2-34 3-37.3
Fumbles-lost 1-0 1-1
Penalties-yards 2-10 1-15
Individual statistics
Rushing — WCR Madonna 7-100; Covert 11-51 2TD; Hurley 6-28 Walsh 4-20; Dougherty 4-19, Burke 1-8 TD; Pileggi 6-(-5) Kennett—Cox 12-45; Forte 10-33; Hughson 1-1
Passing — WCR Pileggi 6-9, 94, INT KEN—Forte—12-19, 154,TD, 2 INT
Receiving — WCR—Hurley 1-23; Covert 1-16; Vanscovich 2-19; Walsh 1-14; Burke 1-22 KEN—Cox 4-65; Kosara 4-70; Ploener 1-11; Shacknai 2-19
Interceptions — WCR—Covert, Quinn; KEN–Forte
Sacks — WCR—Montgomery (2) KEN– Brison
