Reporter/Times Herald Area Week 13 Football Preview
Plymouth Whitemarsh will try to advance to its first district final since 1997 when the Colonials travel to top-seeded West Chester Rustin Friday night in the District 1-5A Semifinals.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
“They’re the one seed for a reason,” Colonials coach Dan Chang said. “We have to be prepared and hope to slow them down.”
The No. 5 Colonials are coming off a thrilling 42-36 overtime victory over rival Upper Dublin in the quarterfinals while Rustin got here by virtue of a 41-21 win over Kennett.
PW comes into this contest 10-1 overall and 6-0 in the Suburban One League American Conference. The Colonials have won 10 straight coming into this.
Rustin is also 10-1 on the season and is 6-1 in the Ches-Mont American. Like the Colonials, the Golden Knights lost their season opener and have won out since.
PW is in the semis for the first time since ’97, when it lost to Central Bucks West in the District 1-4A Final that year. PW was also in the district final in ’96, losing to Downingtown, and in ’95, winning over CB West.
The Colonials have advanced in large part due to the play of quarterback Aiden O’Brien.
“Aiden is moving our offense,” Chang said, “putting us in the right places.”
O’Brien threw for 107 yards and a touchdown last week, had a pivotal run in the fourth quarter to keep a drive alive, and also snagged an interception and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. The Colonials also got tremendous rushing contributions from Chris McLaughlin, Zion East, Luke Winterbottom and Tommy Hannon.
Rustin’s run-based attack kept moving along last week, with Dayshawn Jacobs running for 325 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries.
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Jacobs becomes the new record holder at West Chester Rustin for rushing yards in a season (2,358) and touchdowns in a season (37).
District 1-5A Semifinals
(5) Plymouth-Whitemarsh at (1) West Chester Rustin
Site/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Rustin.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey and @emor09.
Records: PW is 10-1 overall and 6-0 in the SOL American. Rustin is 10-1 overall and 6-1 in the Ches-Mont American.
Last week: The Colonials won 42-36 in overtime over Upper Dublin. The Golden Knights defeated Kennett 41-21.
Up next: The winner advances to the district final against either Strath Haven or Academy Park.
Players to watch: Quarterback Aiden O’Brien threw for 107 yards and a TD and also returned an INT for a score last week. Dayshawn Jacobs rushed for 325 yards and six touchdowns for Rustin in the quarters.
Prediction: PW 28, Rustin 21.
