Interesting matchups in District 1 semifinals
The Ches-Mont League has two teams left in the District 1 playoffs that are set to go in the semifinal round. Downingtown East, the No. 12 seed, will travel to meet top-seeded Garnet Valley in the 6A bracket, while No. 3 West Chester Rustin takes to the road to visit No. 2 Strath Haven in a rematch of the 5A district championship game last year — won by the Panthers 34-33 in overtime.
Here is a look at both games.
Class 6A (Downingtown East 9-3 at Garnet Valley 11-0), 7 p.m.
Downingtown East has been very impressive in its two playoff wins. The Cougars defeated Coatesville 31-15 and downed archrival Downingtown West 34-9 in the quarterfinal round. East has done it mostly on the superlative rushing exploits of senior Bo Horvath.
The Cougars’ star has rushed for 2,171 yards this season which includes a 275-yard, five-touchdown performance against West last week. Horvath has scored 30 touchdowns this season.
The Cougars’ defense has also come up big in the two playoff wins. Sam Barton and Chad Lovenguth recorded big sacks in the win over the Whippets, and Mike Luongo picked off a Quinn Henicle pass that led to a touchdown. Michael Leo and Mike Waite have also been playing very well in the Cougars’ secondary and Waite is a fierce hitter and one of the leaders for the defense.
Garnet Valley is the defending District 1 6A champions and the Jaguars are an amazing 31-1 in their last 32 games. The Jaguars’ run the Wing-T option offense led by quarterback Matt Mesaros. A new wrinkle to this year’s Jaguars team is that Mesaros can throw the football.
He has completed 59 of 87 passes for 1,098 yards and 12 touchdowns against zero interceptions.
Garnet Valley still features multiple backs it uses to move the ball downfield. Jason Bernard leads the Jaguars with 722 yards, and Mesaros has 544 yards rushing, with Joe Checcio adding 382 yards with 11 touchdowns. Receiver Drew Van Horn has caught 17 balls and is averaging 27 yards per catch and has good speed.
Garnet Valley has defeated 6A playoff teams Ridley (35-7), Conestoga (49-3) and Quakertown (63-14) this season. The Jaguars advanced to the semifinals with a 30-27 overtime win over Spring-Ford in the quarterfinals. The Jags’ defense is allowing just 10 points per game so far this season.
The Cougars defense will have to be disciplined to defend the option and get another big game from their secondary. Horvath should have another big game and, if need be, Cougars’ quarterback Jamy Jenkins can hurt the Jaguars with the intermediate passing game.
Pick: Downingtown East 35, Garnet Valley 24.
Class 5A (West Chester Rustin 10-1 at Strath Haven 12-0), 7 p.m.
Rustin defeated Radnor 41-14 and Kennett 30-7 in the first two round of the playoffs, and the Golden Knights have used their triple-pronged running attack. Damion Jacobs rushed for 121 yards and two scores against Kennett while Antonio Santangleo added 141 rushing yards, and impressive sophomore Chase Hatton added 87 yards on 13 carries.
The Knights and Panthers both use the wing-T offense, and the host Panthers have a very impressive running back in Anthony Crawford. Crawford just set the single-season rushing record for the Panthers. Crawford has rushed for 1,896 yards with 22 touchdowns this season.
Three-year starting quarterback Sam Milligan has rushed for nine touchdowns for the season and Milligan masterfully runs the option for the Panthers.
Strath Haven has defeated District 1 4A champion Interboro 27-13, and topped two 6A playoff teams — Conestoga 25-0 and Ridley 41-14 – this season.
The Panthers have been rolling in the first two rounds of the playoffs. They downed Upper Merion 35-3 in round one and Springfield 36-19 in the quarterfinal round.
The Knights will have to control the football with long, time consuming drives to keep the ball out of Crawford’s hands and chew up the clock. The Panthers should have trouble shutting down the Golden Knights’ running game but the Strath Haven defense is allowing just 11 points per game so far this season.
Pick: West Chester Rustin 21, Strath Haven 20.
