Two Ches-Mont blockbusters could determine league supremacy

There are two monster games in the Ches-Mont League, Friday, and with all four teams controlling their own destinies, the division races could be wrapped up with a week to go.

Coatesville, winner of three straight National Division titles, heads to Kottmeyer Stadium in hopes of continuing its recent dominance over Downingtown West.

West Chester Rustin, the reigning American Division champ, hosts division-leading West Chester East looking to avoid a second-straight loss to the Vikings.

Here is a deeper look into what to expect from both games.

Coatesville (6-1) at Downingtown West (8-0)

The 2019 season has a different feel for the two-time defending District 1 champ, Red Raiders. After losing their opener to Harrisburg, they have won six in a row, but a toe injury has nagged quarterback Ricky Ortega. That, mixed with new faces at key positions, has resulted in a less-potent offense than we’ve become accustomed to the last three years.

If it’s possible, Coatesville feels a bit under the radar, or at least an underdog against the undefeated Whippets. This is a huge game for both (thanks, Captain Obvious). If the Raiders can win, that will certainly reignite the sizzle around the team and put them in a position to host playoff games. Coatesville would then be a win over Downingtown East away from its fourth-straight division title.

If the Whippets can cleanse the demon of Coatesville, who has outscored West 131-29 the last three meetings, it would certainly be a boost and all but lock up the top seed in the Class 6A bracket.

A win for West would clinch its first National title since 2013, thanks to head-to-head tiebreakers over Coatesville and Downingtown East.

When West has the ball

The Whippets have the top offense in Chester County, piling up 41.4 points and 418.3 total yards per game. It starts with Kansas State-commit, quarterback Will Howard. In Mike Milano’s dynamic offense, being able to attack from any and every angle makes it even harder to defend. Howard gives Milano all the options. The senior has thrown for multiple touchdowns in seven of eight games.

Tyriq Lewis gives the Whippets strength on the ground. He has 983 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground and adds 205 yards and four scores, receiving. Alex Rosano has settled in nicely as the Swiss army knife, totaling 747 yards of offense, from the slot. West will also get Sean Pelkisson involved from the tight end position.

Coatesville’s defense is tops in the county in points against (11.3 per game) and rush yards (90.6) and is second in total yards (216). The Red Raiders will look to make the Whippets one-dimensional and try to match West’s athleticism. Coatesville’s starting defense hasn’t given up a touchdown in 11 quarters, but this will be the best offense it’s seen this season.

West has turned the ball over six times in the last two weeks and is minus-seven in the turnover ratio the last three games against Coatesville.

When Coatesville has the ball

You know a team’s reached some high standards when 29.1 points per game by the offense seems low. The Raiders have found some rhythm the last couple weeks against some lesser defenses, and surpassed 400 total yards a week ago for the first time all season. 

The health of Ortega, who has never lost a Ches-Mont game, is integral. Ortega has been his typical, brilliant self through the air, throwing for 814 yards, 13 TDs and one interception in six games. Against West, Coatesville will likely need his legs, and Ortega hasn’t attempted a rush since week six while nursing his injury. If Ortega is close to as mobile as he can be, that will benefit the Raiders greatly, with Pelkisson and Max Hale coming off the edges for West.

The Whippets have been stellar against the run, giving up 125 yards per game, and Coatesville hasn’t really found its stride in that facet. Sophomore Ashon Wesley has led the team in carries the last three games and seems to be building trust.

The ultimate wild card is none other than Dapree Bryant. His excellence has been on grander display this season with the graduation of Aaron Young and Ortega’s limitations. Bryant has scored on 10 of his 30 receptions and will be the focus of a West defense that gives up 177 pass yards per game. The Whippets have also allowed seven touchdowns of 37 yards or more, six of which came through the air.

Each team has scored five non-offensive touchdowns. Bryant has a kick return, punt return and interception return, while Julian Williams has two kick returns and a punt return for West.

West Chester East (6-2) at West Chester Rustin (6-2)

The Vikings are at No. 5 in the current Class 5A rankings, just ahead of No. 6 Rustin. This game not only has division implications, but the winner likely gets to host a couple playoff games. Thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker over Kennett, East would clinch the American Division with a win. If Rustin can win out, it would force a three-team championship with East and Kennett, assuming each team ends with just one divisional loss.

Coaches around the area have been calling this East team the best since the Ches-Mont championship squad of 2006, and deservedly so. Its two losses are to the Downingtowns, and a 43-14 win against then-undefeated Kennett two weeks ago opened some eyes.

The issue for the Vikings could be health. They have had injury problems on the offensive line, running back Joey Wileczek is out and quarterback Ryan Duell exited last week’s game against West wounded.

Rustin surely hasn’t forgotten an early-season loss at the hands of the Vikes last year, and this program is used to playing in these high-stakes contests.

When East has the ball

There is no secret where the Vikings want to go. Senior running back Kyle Cichanowsky is the leading rusher in the county with 1,436 yards and 23 total TDs. He has 20-plus carries in six of eight games. The Vikings are second in the area with 258.6 rush yards per game, and a veteran offensive line has opened things up for its home run threat in Cichanowsky.

East will need the big plays to keep coming, as they have most of the year, especially if it is limited in the pass game. Duell has been efficient this season, completing 57 percent of his passes and averaging 8.3 yards per attempt. 

Rustin’s defense is first in total yards allowed per game (199.1), second in the league in points (12.8), third in rush yards (116.3). The unit has given up three touchdowns of 45 yards or more, but none since week four. 

If the Golden Knights can keep Cichanowsky in front of them and make East keep manufacturing drives, advantage Rustin.

When Rustin has the ball

The Knights’ offense looks a little different this year, spread a little wider, but the concepts remain the same. They’re trying to get their speedy backs behind as many linemen as possible to control the pace, clock and scoreboard. With the stable of backs they have, why not?

Nick Madonna leads the way with 1095 yards and 15 total TDs, and Drew Gallen (413 yards, three TDs) and Alex Pratzner (303, four) have chipped in nicely.

As an offense, Rustin averages 29.8 points and a league-high 284.3 rush yards per game. In its two losses to Kennett and Coatesville, Rustin totaled just 14 points and 185 rush yards. 

East’s defense has improved this year, but is eighth in the league against the run (169.5) and has no choice but to contain the Knights, who have run the ball 330 out of 375 offensive plays.

On the other hand, Rustin’s pass game is hardly polished, and the preference is to throw the ball out of play action rather than necessity.

Both teams have just one non-offensive touchdown, with Cichanowsky and Madonna taking a punt and kickoff to the house, respectively.