DLN-area Week 1 Football Capsules & Picks

The long wait is over.
Finally, and actually a week earlier than usual, the scholastic football season is getting underway tonight and we have a full slate of interesting games on tap. These nonleague games will be critical for area teams’ playoff hopes and a victory in Week 1 will go a long way to jump start a season.
Here’s a look at Week 1’s action:
Tonight’s games
Garnet Valley at West Chester Rustin
Rustin starts the season off with bang as the Golden Knights host perennial Central League power Garnet Valley. Rustin went 7-3 last season but missed out on the playoffs, and Golden knights head coach Mike St. Clair likely will have his team ready for a very stern challenge from the Jaguars.
“Garnet Valley is a very well coached team,” St.Clair said. They run the veer and split back veer offense very well. You really have to play disciplined defense to stop them. They have enough kids to run a two platoon system that keeps their kids fresh late in the game. On defense, they mix up their even and odd fronts very well.I think we are going to have to have an even mix of run and pass to be able to effectively move the ball. I think it should be a good early — way too early — test for us.”
Rustin’s Ty Pringle, who rushed for over 1,200 yards as a sophomore will have to have a big game for Rustin to defeat the deeper Jaguars, but like most games, it will be won up front and Rustin does not lose those battles very often.
The Pick: W.C. Rustin 24, Garnet Valley 21

Delaware Valley at Downingtown East
The District 2 invaders were 8-3 last season and qualified for the district playoffs. They bring eight starters back on both sides of the ball. But the Cougars are bigger up front and will move the ball and control the clock here. Junior quarterback Bryce Lauletta will make his starting debut for the Cougars.
The Pick: Downingtown East 28, Delaware Valley 21

Simon Gratz at Coatesville
Get ready for some offensive football between these two supremely talented offensive squads. Gratz looked very impressive in 7 on 7’s this summer and they can stretch a defense. But, they are playing with 11 guys tonight and that favors the ’Ville. Aaron and Avery Young should have big games for the Red Raiders.
The Pick: Coatesville 35, Simon Gratz 17

West Chester Henderson at Oxford
Early Ches-Mont crossover game here. Henderson is coming off a 1-9 season and the Warriors are itching to right the ship. Oxford graduated their all-time leading passer in Dan Green but the Hornets bring back eight starters on both sides of the ball. Look for Henderson’s C.J. Preston to break off a few long gains tonight.
The Pick: West Chester Henderson 28, Oxford 14

Springfield (Montco) at Octorara
This is the rare occurrence that Octorara plays a school its same size. The Braves are led by Scott Burridge and he gained 525 yards on the ground last season. Let’s go with the home team.
The Pick: Octorara 14, Springfield (Montco) 13

West Chester East at Academy Park
Life without Jon Jon Roberts begins for East. The Vikings do have Jared Cooper in the backfield and two excellent receivers in Alex Hirsch, who grabbed 44 balls last season, and tight end J.D. Carroll, who hauled in 35 balls for 492 yards. But, the knights are the defending District 1  Class AAA champions and they have enough back to defeat the Vikings.
The Pick: Academy Park 31, West Chester East 21

Kennett at Avon Grove
Avon Grove went 5-6 last season and if the Red Devils want to improve on that mark they cannot trip up heard against Kennett. Nate Jones, who led the Ches-Mont National with 1,434 rushing yards, will have a big night for the Red Devils. Kennett will counter with running back Myles Robinson and tight end Kerry Tomasetti, who are both talented players.
The Pick: Avon Grove 28, Kennett 10

Owen J. Roberts at Conestoga
Owen J. Roberts has a punishing running game and they should be able to pull away from the young Pioneer offense in Conestoga’s first game under new head coach Marquis Weeks.
The Pick: Owen J.Roberts 24, Conestoga 14

Great Valley at Phoenixville
Great Valley has a talented core back from a district playoff team last year. Quarterback Robert Geiss, who threw for over 1,900 yards last season, and running back Mark DeRobertis should make life miserable for the Phantoms.
The Pick: Great Valley 42, Phoenixville 13

Spring-Ford at Unionville
The Indians’ early-season schedule is brutal, and after an 8-3 record and American Division title last season, there won’t be much time to ease the newcomers in. Unionville is led by a duo at linebacker in Jesse Gill and Trevor Gardiner but the Rams are coming off a 10-1 season and they look tough again this season.
The Pick: Spring-Ford 28, Unionville 24

Saturday’s games
Bishop Shanahan at George Washington
George Washington has five starters back on both sides of the ball, including their offensive backfield. But, Shanahan will win the battle up front to give its talented offense time to make plays. “George Washington has a very skilled quarterback that is a dual threat both throwing or running the football,” Bishop Shanahan head coach Paul Meyers said. “They also have good speed at running back and wide receiver. But there numbers re low so we will try to up tempo them and wear them out in the heat.”
The Pick: Shanahan 30, George Washington 14

Perkiomen Valley at Downingtown West
This is a big time nonleague matchup. Perkiomen Valley quarterback Steven Sturm threw for over 3,100 yards last season with 31 touchdowns and he has a trio of talented receivers including Justin Jaworski, who hauled in 85 balls last season. Sturm is getting Division 1 interest. But, West can score points too and junior quarterback Kyle Geiser will keep the Whippets in the game until West can wear the Vikings down late with the running game.
The Pick: Downingtown West 34, Perk Valley 27