Football: Jacobs, Rustin run all over Sun Valley in win
ASTON — West Chester Rustin is good at quite a few things on the football field. Against Sun Valley, controlling the line of scrimmage was at the top of that list.
Rustin wore down the Vanguards with a sensational running attack that was led by an incredible showing from the team’s offensive line. The Golden Knights ran for 283 yards on 49 carries on their way to wearing down Sun Valley for a 42-14 victory.
“Those kids on the offensive line have come a mile. They’re getting better every week,” said West Chester Rustin coach Mike St. Clair, whose team was also boosted by the return of several key players on both sides of the ball.
Running back Daimon Jacobs was the primary benefactor of the offensive line’s excellent play, racking up 123 yards on 15 carries for two rushing touchdowns, including a 50-yard dash in the second quarter.
Jacobs also hauled in a 50-yard scoring pass from quarterback David McClain in the fourth quarter as well. Chase Hatton (65 yards, two touchdowns) and Nathan Pechin (touchdown) also benefited from the stellar offensive line play.
“(The offensive line) was great,” Jacobs said. “They were making big holes and just opening things up for me so we could run through.”
It wasn’t just Rustin’s offense, though. The Golden Knights defense was equally staunch in giving the Sun Valley offense almost no room to work with.
“They have a very good running game and a very good running quarterback (Steve Eskridge), but we were able to shut what they do down,” St. Clair said. “We play team defense and everybody swarmed to the ball. Jeremy Lynn had a monster game at defensive end, Jake Law had a great game linebacker, Daimon Jacobs was great at free safety. It was just great team defense.”
Jacobs credited the work of the linebackers and defensive line for stopping Sun Valley.
“Two of our linebackers (Connor Corrigan and Jake Law) just came back from injury and they played a crazy game. Our defensive line really stepped up with Jaysin Huynh coming back, too” Jacobs said.
It was a frustrating night for Sun Valley, unable to get much going offensively and unable to slow down Rustin’s running game. Noah Griffin had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a late rushing score to pace the Vanguards offense.
“We didn’t execute well and we’ll have to get back to the grind,” Sun Valley coach Ernie Ellis said. “We want to make the playoffs. For years and years, Sun Valley has hung their hat on the Thanksgiving Day game (against Chichester). We want to pick up the extra games for our seniors. It’s sinking, in and we’re getting there.”
