Ches-Mont’s 10 moves into postseason
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks in the Ches-Mont League.
It’d be easy to assume the first round of the District 1 playoffs would be a step back in competition for some, especially for Coatesville and the Downingtowns, who’ve played each other the last few weeks.
But, if a team takes a moment to catch its breath at this point, it could be onto winter sports season much too soon.
Ten of the 13 Ches-Mont schools qualified for the 36 slots between Class 4-6A. That’s partially due to the league being pretty strong at the top, and partially due to Class 5A qualifying 16 of its 25 teams (four of which have losing records).
Coatesville has won the last two District 1-6A titles, while the Ches-Mont has had a representative in the 5A title game the last two years, after the PIAA expanded to six classes in 2016.
Here is a look at how each matchup could go.
Class 6A
No. 1 Downingtown West (9-1) v. No. 16 Pennsbury (6-4)
Why the Whippets can win: West shook off a week nine loss to Coatesville by routing Avon Grove last week, getting rid of the hangover. West’s core is a strong senior class who’s motivated to go out on their terms. The Whippets’ offense finished the regular season as the Ches-Mont’s leader in points (39.3) and total yards (399.5) per game and should be able to move the ball against a Pennsbury defense that gave up 28.3 points per game in its four losses.
Why the Falcons can win: They will have to hope history is on their side, being 2-0 against West in their playoff history. In 2015, Pennsbury walked into Kottmeyer Stadium and knocked off the No. 2 Whippets. After starting 0-3, the Falcons won six of their last seven to enter the postseason with some momentum. West has turned the ball over 10 times the last four games, so Pennsbury will hope to steal some possessions and keep the pressure on West. These are not the old ground-and-pound Falcons, but even out of the spread, they’re big up front.
No. 4 Downingtown East (9-1) v. No. 13 Perkiomen Valley (7-3)
Why the Cougars can win: There is arguably no other team in this bracket that comes in with as much momentum, a week removed from knocking off Coatesville for a share of the National Division crown. The Cougars have one of the most physical offensive lines in the league and led the National with 243.7 rush yards per game. Spencer Uggla (1000 yards, 14 touchdowns) and Stanley Bryant (735, 16) have become a dynamic duo in the backfield. East beat Perk Valley in week two, 28-13, and was able to hold the Vikings to just 45 yards rushing.
Why the Vikings can win: The flip side of East’s early season win is the Vikes have the revenge card on their side. How far that can take them is yet to be determined. And for as much mojo as East got from its big win, there is also that possibility of a letdown. Perk Valley has a young quarterback, but it has a balanced offense, which helps disperse the pressure. The Vikes threw for 284 yards in the first matchup, but will have to be able to run the ball against an East team that is so good at dictating tempo.
No. 7 Coatesville (8-1) v. No. 10 Souderton (8-2)
Why the Red Raiders can win: For starters, Coatesville is 10-1 the last three district playoffs, and enough of its core has been a part of that. The biggest two are QB Ricky Ortega and receiver Dapree Bryant, who will be hungry to erase last week’s loss to Downingtown East. Souderton’s offense is predicated on the run game, and Coatesville was second in the league in rush yards against (112.1). If the Raiders can get a multiple-score lead, it will be difficult for the Big Red to come back.
Why the Big Red can win: Downingtown East and its 270 rush yards last week gave Souderton hope, as a run-first team. While the Big Red isn’t as big or physical as East, their wing-T offense is effective and allows them to attack with multiple backs. Coatesville has held opponents to under 100 yards rushing four out of nine games, but Souderton will have to find a way to have a shot. If it can dictate the pace, Souderton will be comfortable in a tight game, late. Souderton is 6-1 this season in games decided by 14 points or less.
Class 5A
No. 2 West Chester East (8-2) v. No. 15 West Chester Henderson (3-7)
Why the Vikings can win: It could be argued running back Kyle Cichanowsky is the best player in the 5A bracket. That goes a longer way the smaller the schools are. The Vikings are undefeated against 5A schools this season and will just have to stick to the script and not become complacent against a rival they beat 35-14 in week five. Quarterback Ryan Duell has become a reliable weapon with his first regular season under his belt.
Why the Warriors can win: If nothing else, they have nothing to lose. No one will expect much from a team who went winless the season before and enters this game with a losing record. If Henderson can use the rivalry and revenge factors to keep things close, all the pressure bears down on East to advance.
No. 4 Kennett (9-1) v. No. 13 Chichester (3-6)
Why the Blue Demons can win: Some of the luster came off Kennett after a week seven loss to West Chester East, but the Blue Demons outscored their final three opponents 107-10 to regain momentum. Outside of that loss to the Vikings, Kennett’s defense didn’t give up more than 14 points this season, and ended the season first in the league in points allowed and turnovers created and was second in total yards allowed. Garrett Cox ran for a career-high 257 yards against Chichester in a 37-12 win in week two.
Why the Eagles can win: Chichester has come a long way since that week two beat-down. The Eagles have had a regular season to acclimate to first year head coach Bob Brice’s system, and should be more efficient in it now. They will have to find a way to create big plays, though, because no one has been able to match up with Kennett in the proverbial phone booth. If Chichester can get outside and find some space to play in, while capitalizing on a turnover-prone Blue Demons team, who had an area-high 17, the Eagles can make it a game.
No. 7 West Chester Rustin (7-3) v. No. 10 Upper Dublin (5-4)
Why the Golden Knights can win: In a rematch of last year’s district final, the Knights will be looking for some revenge. Rustin leads the area in rushing, churning up 266.2 yards a game. The game plan won’t switch from that with Nick Madonna (1,253 yards, 17 TDs) and Drew Gallen (540, 4) in the backfield. The Cardinals lost their senior QB, Mike Slivka in week five, and have only won twice without him. Rustin’s held offenses to 97 rush yards per game this year, so if Upper Dublin is forced to the air without Slivka, it could be in trouble.
Why the Cardinals can win: They are the reigning district champs and have a core who knows how to win these games. They will need to be at their best, playing undermanned. Rustin is a very one-dimensional team, so the Cardinals look to limit the ground attack and force passing situations. Nine of Rustin’s 12 turnovers this season came in its three losses.
No. 9 Unionville (6-4) at No. 8 Marple Newtown (7-3)
Why the Indians can win: Unionville hopes to be the third straight No. 9 seed to win its first round game in the 5A tournament. The Indians seem to be built for this time of year, reaching the semifinals last year as a 4-6 team, and winning the district in 2017. They rarely do it in a flashy way, but the Indians can run the ball with running back Connor Schilling and QB Blake Charlton and don’t turn the ball over much (they’re plus-9 in turnover margin).
Why the Tigers can win: They are very similarly built, offensively, with sophomore running back Charlie Box and junior QB Joey Paoletti. Marple is 1-3 against playoff teams this year, while Unionville is 1-4. Unionville’s level of play has fluctuated this season. The Indians pushed West Chester East and Coatesville to the brink in losses, but squeaked out one-score wins against lesser foes like Interboro and Avon Grove. The Tigers have a young, up-and-coming team and are hoping this is a stepping stone for future seasons.
No. 14 Oxford (4-6) at No. 3 Academy Park (8-2)
Why the Hornets can win: They play a style that can catch teams off guard. Their up-tempo, spread system can get clicking — think the 70 points they dropped on Interboro — and make defenses chase instead of attack. Quarterback Thomas Repetz leads the Ches-Mont with 2,112 passing yards and 22 TDs, and Jaxson Chew and Justin Neskie are playmakers.
Why the Knights can win: The Hornets’ defense gave up 31.9 points, 238.8 rush yards and 329.9 total yards per game in the regular season, so the Knights should be able to move the ball and find the end zone. Academy Park will spread teams out and get its athletes the ball in space, and its core is very senior-laden.
Class 4A
No. 3 Bishop Shanahan (5-5) at No. 2 Pottsgrove (5-5)
Why the Eagles can win: Shanahan has some talented youngsters, starting with sophomores Brandon Choi (linebacker/running back ) and QB Cooper Jordan. Senior Garrett Glendenning is a leader on both sides of the ball and had a team-high 771 yards of total offense. In Shanahan’s five wins, its allowed just 7.2 points in those games.
Why the Falcons can win: Pottsgrove has won all three of the 4A district titles since the expanded classes in 2016. It’s the first time the Falcons didn’t have a winning record in over a decade, but until someone beats them in this tournament, they’re the team to beat.
