WC East hopes strong end of 2021 propels Vikes back into contention in ’22

WEST GOSHEN >> A year ago, West Chester East’s youth struggle through a trying football season.

Head coach Scott Stephen knew it was an investment of sorts, and after starting the season with seven straight losses, winning two of the final three games gave the Vikings hope for the future.

Many Vikings return, including most of the top performers from last fall.

“They gained a lot of in-game experiences that, when we finished last season, gave us a lot of excitement heading into 2022,” Stephen said. “I think our guys believe it and our guys feel it. It’s about getting to Friday nights and getting that done.”

Any optimism starts with senior running back and linebacker Mitch Ragni. The physical speedster has totaled over 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns in his first two seasons, but Ragni is hoping to finally get a full season under his belt.

As a sophomore, Ragni only played five games due to the COVID-19-shortened season. Last year, Ragni missed two-plus games due to injury.

“I’m beyond excited,” Ragni said. “It’s my senior year. I have nothing to lose. I’m just gonna go out there and give it my all. I cannot be more excited, it’s gonna be a fun year.”

East will find plenty of ways to feed Ragni, but chances are, the majority will be behind the big senior, Stanley Porter, who’s listed at six-foot-seven, 270 pounds. He and Mazen Elgedawy are the only seniors on the offensive line. Porter, the converted basketball player, has drawn interest from Division 1 programs and he and junior tight end, Mason Grear, make a powerful duo on the edge.

Any push up front will pair well with Ragni’s elusiveness.

“It’s incredible,” Porter said of blocking for Ragni. “He’s crazy fast, crazy strong. You block for him for a second and he can get through the gap easily. It’s definitely a pleasure blocking for him.”

Senior Mike Renzi won a three-horse race for the starting quarterback position, and he’ll get his first shot under center. Wide receiver Tyler Wileczek piled up 32 receptions for 405 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore, and he and Brady Laird ease Renzi’s transition.

Wileczek and Laird are also returning starters in the defensive secondary, as well as Becker Altikriti, who became a starter at safety late last season. Ragni and Steven Vitale lead a veteran linebacking corps and Grear and Porter bookend the defensive line.

In a Ches-Mont League American Division that has been overwhelmed by graduation, Stephen is hoping the returning experience on both sides of the ball will put the Vikings back in the mix.

“Wide open,” Stephen said of the American. “When you look at the Unionvilles and Rustins, you have outstanding programs. When they lose whatever guys, they have guys waiting in the wings to carry on what’s been established. I know Oxford is very excited, Kennett the last couple years, so when you take all that into consideration, there’s a lot of excitement from top to bottom. You’re gonna get prepared teams and it could go a lot of different directions.”

East opens the season at home against Manheim Central and has home games in September against Great Valley and Chester. Road games in September against West Chester Rustin, Unionville and Downingtown West will surely test the Vikings’ mettle.

“I think we learned that nothing is easy and nothing is given to us,” Porter said. “I think everyone on this team is really hungry and ready to get out there.”

Games against Sun Valley, Kennett, Oxford and West Chester Henderson close out the schedule, and could determine East’s playoff fate, but Ragni believes October will be a cap off a bounce-back season.

“Our mentality is we’re gonna give it 100 percent,” Ragni said. “There’s not gonna be a play where we take it off. Last year, 2-8, we don’t like that. That’s not gonna be our record this year and we’re gonna make sure of that.”

West Chester East Schedule
Fri., Aug. 26 — vs. Manheim Central, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 2 — vs. Great Valley, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 9 — at West Chester Rustin, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 16 — at Unionville, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 23 — vs. Chester, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 30 — at Downingtown West, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 7 — at Sun Valley, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 14 — vs. Kennett, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 21 — at Oxford, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 28 — vs. West Chester Henderson, 7 p.m.