Chester County Week Two football previews

We are heading into Week Two of the scholastic football season with every area team in action. Here is a look at all the and the full slate of games.

Coatesville (1-0) at Academy Park (1-0), 1 p.m.

Coatesville travels to play one of the best District 1 5A teams in Academy Park. The Red Raiders took care of Pennsbury, 28-6, last week, while the Knights downed Unionville, 12-7. Coatesville quarterback Harrison Susi threw for 189 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 102 yards.

The Coatesville defense was very good against the run in the win over Pennsbury and they will have to be again as Academy Park features hard charging Terrance Oliver, who churned up 127 yard on 15 carries in the victory over Unionville. The Knights also have some size on their offensive line. Academy Park is a very tough home team and this will be a stern test for Coatesville.

Pick: Coatesville 28, Academy Park 13

State College (1-0) at Downingtown East (1-0), 7 p.m.

Downingtown East hosts a State College team that advanced to the PIAA 6A semifinals last season and defeated Willimasport 42-14, in the Little Lions’ opener. They built up a 42-0 halftime lead and sat their starters the entire second half. This should be a very physical affair as both teams love to run the football.

Downingtown East downed Pennridge, 32-13, piling up 203 yards on the ground. The Cougars completely controlled the game running 75 plays to the Rams’ 45. Look for more ball control from the Cougars in this one. The Downingtown East defense held Pennridge to just five first downs.

Pick: Downingtown East 28, State College 21

Downingtown West (1-0) at Perkiomen Valley (1-0), 7 p.m

Downingtown West travels to play one of the best 6A teams in District 1 in Perkiomen Valley. The Vikings demolished Penn wood, 66-6, in their opener. Senior quarterback Danny Koehler completed all nine of his pass attempts for 187 yards and four scores. Senior wide receiver Owen Peterlin is one of the best receivers in the district and hauled in three balls for 115 yards in the rout of Penn Wood.

The Whippets’ Jake Kucera accounted for 239 total yards in a 48-13 win over Highland Regional in Ocean City, NJ. Kucers totaled 136 rushing yards on just six carries while also going for 104 receiving yards. This could be a shootout.

Pick: Perkiomen Valley 35, Downingtown West 28

WC Henderson (0-0) at WC Rustin (0-0) 7 p.m.

This is the season opener for both teams as the Bob Brice era begins at West Chester Henderson. The Warriors will have to contend with the Golden Knights’ Wing-t offense that features Daimon Jacobs and impressive sophomore Chase Hatton.

Pick: WC Rustin 30, WC Henderson 21

Lower Merion (1-0) at Conestoga (1-0), 7 p.m.

Conestoga beat a good Owen J.Roberts team on the road last week. Quarterback Peter Costigan threw for 149 yards and two scores. The Pioneers also rushed for 246 yards — 111 by brusing back Jake Allred.

Lower Merion shut out Pottstown last week, but Conestoga has more talent than the improving Aces and should prevail here as both teams open up Central League play.

Pick: Conestoga 31, Lower Merion 14

Phoenixville (0-1) at Bishop Shanahan (0-0), 7 p.m.
The host Eagles swing into action against a Phoenixville squad that lost to Great Valley, 27-20, in its opener. Bishop Shanahan will featured a squad that is mostly seeing its first live varsity experience, but they may have a speed advantage over the Phanotms.

Pick: Bishop Shanahan 21, Phoenixville 14

Great Valley (1-0) at WC East (0-1), 7 p.m.

Great Valley comes into this one fresh off a victory over Phoenixville, while the host Vikings were manhandled by Manheim Central in their opener.

Great Valley can run the football and received a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Nathan Riccardi against Phoenixville. The Patriots’ defensive front seven played very well and could be the difference here.

Pick: Great Valley 24, WC East 14

Oxford (1-0) at Kennett (0-1), 7 p.m.

Kennett gave up 490 total yards in a loss to Upper Dublin last week, while Oxford defeated Avon Grove. Oxford features third-year senior quarterback Dustin Long, who threw for 215 yards last week. Long is a playmaker and the Kennett defense will have to step up its game to contain him.

Pick: Oxford 21, Kennett 20

Unionville (0-1) at Sun Valley (1-0), 7 p.m.

Unionville travels to play an improving Sun Valley squad that downed Penncrest in its opener. Noah Griffin tallied 126 yards on the ground for the Vanguards.

For Unionville, expect to see a lot of runs from Joe king, who carried the ball 27 times in the Longhorns’ 12-7 loss to Academy Park. Quarterback Levi Brawley will also run the football.

Pick: Unionville 31, Sun Valley 20

Avon Grove (0-1) at Penn Wood (0-1), 7 p.m.

Avon Grove dropped a 28-16 decision to Oxford in its opener despite outgaining the Hornets, 378-330. Five turnovers doomed the Red Devils.

Penn Wood gave up 66 points in a loss to Perkiomen Valley last week. This is a game the Red Devils may be able to control the line of scrimmage.

Pick: Avon Grove 21, Penn Wood 14

La Salle (1-0) at Malvern Prep (0-0) at Ocean City HS, 6 p.m.

Malvern Prep opens up its season by heading to Ocean City, NJ for a heavyweight clash with La Salle. The Explorers are coming off an impressive come-from-behind win over North Penn.

The Friars swing into action with senior quarterback Bryce Pippin rushing the show. Senior linebacker Bobby Mears is one of the best around. Speedy Yaahdir Nash is expected to shoulder most of the load at running back.

Pick: Malvern Prep 28, LaSalle 21