Coatesville forced to forfeit game, shakes up District 1 playoff picture

Coatesville football’s undefeated regular season is no more.

Despite winning all eight games its played, Coatesville’s 38-7 win over West Chester Rustin on September 30 has been changed to a forfeit loss, due to an ineligible player on the team.

The violation was self-reported by Coatesville at the District 1 meeting this week.

Coatesville head coach Matt Ortega was placed on administrative leave following the Rustin game, and was just reinstated Tuesday.

After the Red Raiders’ 14-10 win over Downingtown East, Friday night, Ortega declined to comment on the situation.

When reached via email, Coatesville’s Director of Athletics, Brian Chenger wrote: “Unfortunately I am not able to make a comment about this.”

The implications hold no bearing on Coatesville’s hope of a seventh-straight Ches-Mont National Division title, as the Rustin game was a crossover contest.

There will be ramifications in both the District 1-6A and 5A playoff brackets, however. Coatesville would have been the top seed in 6A with an 8-0 record, but are now at No. 5. If that seeding stands, Coatesville would only be guaranteed one home playoff game.

At 6-2, Rustin would have been the current No. 9 seed, but with their record bumping to 7-1, the Golden Knights are currently the No. 3 seed in 5A. 

Coatesville will host Avon Grove (4-5) in the season finale, Friday, while Rustin will host Unionville (3-6).