Chester County: Preview of Week 4’s games

The real start to the season is here as both the Ches-Mont and Central League teams swing into league action after three weeks of non-league affairs. Malvern Prep has a big date with LaSalle, but the first area team to swing into action is Conestoga, who will host Haverford tonight, a day earlier than scheduled due to the Papal Visit.

Haverford was smoked by Downingtown West in the season opener by a 31-3 score but the Fords have come back to win two straight over Chester And Penn Wood. Conestoga head coach John Vogan and his crew are also 2-1 but he is wary of Haverford and Jack Donaghy, its three year starter at quarterback.

“He has gotten better and better each year,” Vogan said. “He plays with a lot of confidence and he can make all the throws. And the thing with Donaghy is that he is also a big run threat and he runs the ball well. Haverford is very athletic and they want to make big plays. They are a fast strike offense.

“For us, we have to do a better job of shortening the other teams drives. Against Lower Merion, they controlled the clock and we have to get our defense off the field. Offensively, we have to do a better job of sustaining our drives and scoring when we get down near the goal line.”

Pick >> Donaghy is generally regarded as the best quarterback in the Central League, something Conestoga’s Tim Miller has noticed. Look for Miller to make more big plays than Donaghy.

Conestoga 31, Haverford 28.

This has been the game of the year in the Ches-Mont American Division for as long as the pair has been in the league. Unionville is coming off a tougher than expected 27-17 win over Avon Grove, while Rustin had to come from behind to take out West Chester East, 28-21. Unionville head coach Pat Clark knows all about playing Rustin and the Indians boss talked about what problems the Golden Knights bring.

“The thing with Rustin is that their kids expect to win every time they take the field,” Clark said. “And they are physical and big up front and it looks like (Ty) Pringle, is next in line as the next great Rustin running back. We have to cut down on our penalties and become more efficient offensively.

“We know they are going to be real physical as always and they love to pound the football. We would like to get a lead and not get behind them early to limit them running clock. This is always a great game.”

Pick >> This is always a very tough game to predict and I am usually wrong. But I will go, Rustin 24, Unionville 20.

This is a very tough Ches-Mont crossover game for Kennett. It was good to see the Blue Demons get a 50-24 win over Bristol last week. Myles Robinson totaled 146 all-purpose yards and quarterback Nick Dunleavy had a good game for Kennett throwing the football, but the Whippets are in a different league than the Blue Demons.

Pick >> Downingtown West 42, Kennett 7.

A beetle between the 3-0 Patriots and the 0-3 Braves. Great Valley has done enough to win all three games despite some costly turnovers. The winning streak should continue here as the Patriots are just too quick for the Braves.

Pick >> Great Valley 28, Octorara 13.

Henderson’s offense has been having trouble scoring points in its first three games. Henderson has only scored seven points the last two weeks, both losses. Coatesville did give up some yardage on the ground last week in a 24-3 win over Roman Catholic but the Red Raiders should put up too many points for the Henderson offense to overcome.

Pick >> Coatesville 31, West Chester Henderson 7.

This is a very good match-up between two seemingly even teams. Shanahan is 1-2 but easily could be 3-0. The Vikings played very well in a 28-21 loss to Rustin last week, but still gave up 360 total yards to the Golden Knights. If the Eagles can cut out the turnovers, they’ll win. Look for a real big game from Shanahan lineman Doug Costin.

Pick >> Bishop Shanahan 21, West Chester East 20.

Downingtown East defeated District 1 power North Penn, 28-24, last week and senior Cary Angeline had a big day defensively for the Cougars, sealing the outcome with a fourth quarter interception. Avon Grove is 2-1 and lost last week, 27-17, to a good Unionville squad.

Avon Grove quarterback Shane McLaughlin threw for 244 yards and Chris Vahey had nine catches for the improved Red Devils. Avon Grove running back Nate Jones is the leading rusher in the Ches-Mont League.

Pick >> Downingtown East 30, Avon Grove 14.

Things have not gone well for the Hornets and first-year head coach Mike Means so far this season. Oxford is giving up a ton of points, 50 in a loss to William Tennent last week. But Sun Valley has a way of bringing out the best in opponents.

Malvern Prep (2-0 overall) at LaSalle (2-1 overall) at Upper Dublin High School, 7 p.m.

Malvern Prep is 2-0 and the Friars have not given up a point so far this season. But, LaSalle is a big step up in competition. I still like the Friars here.

Pick >> Malvern Prep 21, LaSalle 14.