Coatesville’s consistency at QB keeps Rustin, any thoughts of upset, at bay

WESTTOWN >> The word “upset” has been rendered obsolete around the Coatesville football program.

For as much talent that has walked through Coatesville’s locker room the last dozen or so years, one thing that gets swept under the rug is just how focused and steady and prepared the Red Raiders week after week, season after season.

Much of that credit goes to head coach Matt Ortega and his dedicated staff, but a huge part of Ortega’s success has been a remarkable run at the quarterback position.

It’s hard to fathom, but in Ortega’s 14 season, he has only had six starting quarterbacks in that span.

Friday, against West Chester Rustin, senior Harrison Susi, in his third season as the starting QB, helped guide the Red Raiders to 6-0 with a 38-7 win in a Ches-Mont interleague contest, securing Coatesville’s 13th straight winning season.

“That means everything, I don’t care what level of football you’re at,” Ortega said. “We know that any level of success, it always comes down to the quarterback. We’ve been blessed and the best thing about it is our guys have all been homegrown, Coatesville kids.”

In Ortega’s first season, when Coatesville went 5-5, Charles Green started at QB early on, before Manny Stocker took over to start two-plus seasons. Emmett Hunt stepped in for a year, followed by Jordan Young for three, Ricky Ortega for four and now Susi.

That reliability at the most important position is a big reason the Red Raiders haven’t lost to a Ches-Mont American Division team since 2011, when Unionville topped them, 27-26.

At Rustin, any chance of a letdown was erased early. Rustin (3-2) fumbled on its fifth play and Brendan Barthmaier returned it to the Golden Knight 15. Three plays later Susi snuck in the opening touchdown.

Three plays later, Francisco Hall deflected a Rustin pass and Takiyah Lynch snagged it out of the air and ran it in from six yards out for the score.

“I just thought, ‘I have to catch it,’” said Lynch, a sophomore who brought cupcakes for the team to celebrate his birthday after the game. “Francisco jumped high as ever to hit it, so I just caught it and didn’t know I was that close to the goal line. Next thing I know, it’s a pick six.”

Ryan Ashbee hit a 28-yard field goal and Damon Watson and Susi ran in touchdowns to put Coatesville up, 31-0, at halftime.

The Raiders’ average starting field position in the first half was the Rustin 31, which was a blessing and a curse. Sure, Coatesville put up points in a hurry, but for the third straight week, its starters hardly got any work.

Susi threw 14 combined passes and Watson had 17 combined carries the last three weeks, as the Raiders outscored Penn Wood, Unionville and Rustin by a total of 114-13, at halftime.

With Downingtown West (5-1) on the schedule for week seven, Matt Ortega believes his team will be up and ready after three straight blowouts.

“Whenever the blue and yellow and red and black get together, it brings out the best of both teams and both communities,” Matt Ortega said. “We practice really well and talk about getting better every day, so I think we’ll come out ready to go next week.”

Rustin was without all three of its starting running backs, among other starters, but found some success in the passing game.

Nelson Murray caught three passes for 109 yards, including a 32-yard TD off a pass from David McClain, for the Knights’ only score.

The Knights will host Oxford next week, for homecoming, and close out their season with four division battles.

“I’m excited we’re getting six guys back on offense and six guys back on defense, next week,” Rustin coach Mike St. Clair said. “Hopefully we’ll be ready for the rest of the season, but it was good for some of the young guys to get some experience playing a team like (Coatesville).”

Coatesville 38, West Chester Rustin 7

Coatesville  14 17 7 0-38

WC Rustin   0 0 7 0 – 7

                                     Scoring

First Quarter

CV- Susi 1 run (Ashbee kick)

CV- Lynch 6 interception return (Ashbee kick)

Second Quarter

CV- Ashbee 28 FG

CV- Watson 2 run (Ashbee kick)

CV- Susi 1 run (Ashbee kick)

Third Quarter

CV- Ferguson 4 run (Ashbee kick)

WCR- Nelson 32 pass from McClain (Strunk kick)

                                      Team Totals

                         CV       WCR

First downs 8     7

Yards rushing 32-169   43-22

Yards passing  55          104

Total yards      224          126

Passing      4-9-0    4-6-1

Fumbles-lost    2-2           4-1

Punts-avg. 2-30.5     5-24.2

Penalties-yds 4-20     7-36

                                    Individual Statistics

Rushing: Coatesville — Ferguson 7-63, TD; Watson 7-50, TD; Green 6-19; Susi 5-8, 2 TDs; London 1-8; James 2-8; Brown 2-8; Haskett 1-5; Ortega 1-0. West Chester Rustin — Pectin 13-39; Jones 6-28; DiAntonio 1-5; Magolon 3-3; Blane 1-(-5); Jacob 9-(-6); McClain 5-(-16); Seaman 2-(-22); team 3-(-4).

Passing: Coatesville — Susi 4-7, 55 yards; Ortega 0-2. West Chester Rustin — McClain 4-6, 104 yards, TD, INT.

Receiving: Coatesville — Haskett 2-41; Van Orden 1-8; Richardson 1-6. West Chester Rustin — Murray 3-109, TD; Pechin 1-(-5).

Interceptions: Coatesville — Lynch.