DOWNINGTOWN >> With a few handfuls of alumni scattered throughout the Downingtown East sideline there was a duo living out a homecoming of their own.
Arlen Harris, one of the stars from Downingtown’s 1996 state championship team, watched his first-ever game at Kottmeyer Stadium, and he was there to watch his son, Ayden Harris, make his debut.
A senior transfer from Lutheran St. Charles High in Missouri, Ayden donned that familiar 33 in blue and yellow and put on a show for his new fans.
Ayden Harris was a big part of Downingtown East’s thumping of Pennridge, 43-0, in the non-league season opener.
“The experience was amazing,” Ayden said. “The energy from the crowd and with my line, I got everything from my line. I’m nothing without them. They make my job so much easier and give me great energy.”
The Cougars (1-0) jumped on the Rams (0-1) early and often, with Harris getting the bulk of the carries and Owen Lammy stepping in to continue the barrage.
Harris ran the ball 23 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns, while Lammy added 70 yards and a score, all in the first half.
“We’ve struggled against their defense the last couple years,” East coach Mike Matta said. “That was the only game Bo (Horvath) was under 100 yards last year, so we made it a point that we wanted to run the ball strong.”
East capitalized off a blocked punt by Ryan McGowan on Pennridge’s first drive, which set the Cougars up at the Rams’ 10. Mason Ippolito started the scoring with a one-yard quarterback sneak.
The Cougars forced four straight punts and eventually Drew Virelli secured an interception, leading to 37 first-half points.
Ayden Harris, who was born in St. Louis, showed off his power running game, with none of his carries going over 17 yards but the pile seemingly always moved forward. Following in the footsteps of his father, who played for the St. Louis Rams in the NFL, and his uncle Aaron Harris, a star running back at Penn State, Ayden acclimated himself quite well.
“There’s definitely pressure,” Ayden said. “This team makes it a lot easier. I love being home and the energy here is great to have.”
East’s defense was just as dominant. The Rams never got past midfield and didn’t secure their first first down until East was penalized for encroachment on a second-and-four with 6 minutes, 44 seconds remaining in the game.
Pennridge finished with two rushing yards on 16 carries and just 19 total yards on 25 plays.
“Win or lose, we have to regroup for the next week,” Pennridge coach Kyle Beller said. “(East) is a very good football team and an established program and working on getting us to that point. They came out fast and got after it and we didn’t respond. We’ll learn how to do that moving forward and get better.”
The Cougars will head out to State College next week for a big matchup against the Little Lions. While some of the familiar faces won’t be gracing the sidelines for the road trip, Matta believes they’re a big part of why East has remained a pillar in District 1.
“That’s what the whole thing is about,” Matta said. “It’s pride in the program and it speaks volumes that a lot of guys are helping out and the kids see that and it reinforces the message we try to preach.”
Downingtown East 43, Pennridge 0
Pennridge 0 0 0 0-0
Downingtown West 17 20 0 6-43
Scoring
DE- Ippolito 1 run (Hornak kick)
DE- Harris 15 run (Hornak kick)
DE- Hornak 24 FG
Second
DW- Lammy 2 run (Hornak kick)
DE- Harris 2 run (kick failed)
DE- Harris 3 run (Hornak kick)
Fourth
DE- Morrin 7 run (kick failed)
Team Totals
PR DE
First downs 1 19
Yards rushing 2 341
Yards passing 17 40
Total yards 19 381
Passing 4-9-1 4-6-1
Fumbles-lost 2-0 0-0
Punts-avg 7-34.4 1-38
Penalties-yds 6-40 7-45
Individual Statistics
Rushing: PR – Boyle 1-6; Kuhns 3-3; Walker 1-3; Rowe 1-3; Dougherty 1-2; Hamburger 4-(-3); Marshall 1-(-3); Bartuska 3-(-5); Keating 1-(-7). DE – Harris 23-155, 3 TDs; Lammy 15-70, TD; Morrin 8-39, TD; More 10-33; Rios 2-27; Montanez 3-12; Helverson 1-6; Ippolito 1-1, TD; team 2-(-2).
Passing: PR- Keating 4-9, 17 yards, 1 INT. DE – Ippolito 2-3, 22 yards, INT; Helverson 2-3, 18 yards.
Receiving: PR – Gregoire 2-10; Marshall 2-7. DE – Brown 2-19; Walsh 1-13; Fuchs 1-8.
Interceptions: PR – Rowe. DE – Virelli
