Downingtown West offense proves prolific in victory at Great Valley

EAST WHITELAND >> Downingtown West’s offense proved prolific in a 49-21 win at Great Valley Saturday evening.
The Whippets (5-0) exploded for 603 yards and 26 first downs. Junior running back Tyriq Lewis had a sterling performance, scoring five touchdowns, while rushing for 150 yards on 21 carries.

Downingtown West also got a sensational passing night from quarterback Will Howard, who completed 21 of 27 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown.

All of this offense came in handy as the Whippets fumbled the ball six times, losing four of them.
“We were just pointing the ball well tonight, and the offensive line did a great job,” Lewis said. “We were a little sloppy with the fumbles, but we feel we can overcome adversity and strive to get a little better each week.”
“We won ugly tonight,” Downingtown West head coach Mike Milano said. “We won because we had more players than they do. It was not because of scheme or anything like that. We have some things to clean up.”
The Whippets jetted out to a 14-0 lead early in the second period, compliments of two rushing touchdowns from Lewis and a 14-of-15 passing in the first half from Howard.
Josh Burgess took a 15 yard scoring pass from Jake Prevost one play after Great Valley (1-4) recovered one of four lost Whippet fumbles. But, right after the Great Valley score, the Whippets went 57 yards on six plays, with Lewis going the final two yards for a 21-7 halftime edge.
“We did not play our best game at all tonight,” Howard said. “We need every practice and every rep in practice and we know we have to, and can, get better as a team. Tonight, we were a little sloppy with the football.”
Great Valley closed the gap to 21-14 early in the third period when Burgess recovered a Howard fumble in the end zone. It appeared that Howard’s arm was moving forward, but the ruling on the field ruled it a fumble.
But, Downingtown west was too strong up front for the Patriots, as Lewis scored from six yards out. After Alex Rosano picked off a Prevost pass, Dan Byrnes went around the left side of the Patriots defense for a eight yard touchdown run and the Whippets were in full control again at 35-14. The Whippets scored the next two touchdowns to send the game into the mercy rule in the fourth quarter.
Downingtown West now looks ahead to next week’s home game with Avon Grove, who defeated the Whippets last season.