Downingtown West-Coatesville game called off due to online threats

The scheduled Downingtown West at Coatesville football game tonight has been cancelled. Coatesville athletic director Brian Chenger indicated that the game will not be madeup.

The reason for the postponement was based on online threats of violence that law enforcements believed were credible.

This morning, Coatesville acting superintendent Rick Dunlap originally released a statement that the game would be played without fans due to the threats.

Then at 1:15 pm this afternoon, Dunlap released a statement postponing the contest.

“Due to additional information by local law enforcement authorities tonight’s football game between Coatesville and Downingtown West will be cancelled to ensure the safety of everyone,” the statement said.

The key Ches-Mont League National Division game was already beset by controversy as Coatesville head coach Matt Oretga and two of his assistants were not going to be on the sidelines for the matchup due to being placed on a administrative leave earlier in the week. The trio were not present at the team’s practices this week.

The two teams could play just nine games which would not affect their playoff positions but would impact the Ches-mont National Division standings.

Attempts to reach Downingtown West head coach Mike Milano and Ches-Mont League president and West Chester Henderson principal, Dr. Jason Sherlock were unsuccessful at the time of this publication.

The Whippets have a 5-1 mark, while the Red Raiders are unbeaten at 6-0.