Football: Rustin ‘stays on the grind,’ wears down Chichester
UPPER CHICHESTER — West Chester Rustin knew it was not going to travel to Delaware County and have an easy time with Chichester.
The Eagles’ record might not have been impressive coming into the game, but the Golden Knights were well aware that Chi was not going to be a pushover. Rustin, though, was able to use a strong rushing attack to eventually wear down the Eagles amid a 28-7 victory in a very tightly contested game for three quarters.
“That is a very good defense out there and they’re a very underrated team because they’re a tough team that flies to the football,” said Rustin coach Mike St Clair, whose team improved to 3-1. “We were able to stay on the grind. We were out five guys on offense and five guys on defense, but we had some kids really step up.”
The Golden Knights were able to move the ball effectively in the first half with their running attack, but it was a 26-yard pass from David McClain to Jake Crispino that set up a one-yard touchdown run by Daimon Jacobs to open up the scoring in the first quarter.
Jacobs turned in a yeoman’s effort despite not operating at 100 percent.
“Daimon was sick all week and we weren’t even sure he would get on the field tonight,” St. Clair said. “He hung in there as long as he could, but then we had the young guys come in like (Nathan) Pechin, (Ryan) Loper, and (Joseph) Magalon and they really executed well.”
The Golden Knights used their running game to wear down the Eagles with Jacobs (121 yards), Pechin (91 yards), and Loper (88 yards) leading the way. Rustin ran for 303 yards on 53 carries.
Pechin, whose fresh legs were bad news for the Chichester defense, ended up adding three fourth-quarter touchdowns in an electric performance. After Jacobs had spent three quarters battering the Eagles defense, Pechin was there to sprint away from Chichester’s weary legs.
“They have a really good defensive lineman and we wanted to stay away from him,” Pechin said of Rustin’s strategy. “I got a shot, I wanted to take advantage of it, and that’s all I could ask for.”
It was another tough loss for Chichester (1-4). Coach Ed Buck said his team hurt itself with untimely penalties and mistakes. He acknowledged those are things the Eagles are actively working to correct.
“The third quarter seems to be what is getting us. Our lack of depth and injuries has hurt us. Even in this game we lost five or so guys who start and play for us,” Buck said. “It’s just the way it’s been and we have to just keep fighting through it. We threw a couple new wrinkles at them and caught them off guard early. We just have to put a whole game together.”
Danny Kelly hit Quadir Blackwell for a 30-yard touchdown pass to account for the Eagles’ only touchdown of the game. Blackwell had 41 yards passing, 41 yards rushing, and 60 yards receiving for the game. Erskine Wilson also had four catches for 31 yards.
