Healing Ortega does more than enough to lead Coatesville past Avon Grove
CALN >> Battling an injured toe, Coatesville quarterback Ricky Ortega has not ben his usual self in recent weeks. But Friday night, Ortega gave fans a first half to make fans smile.
He threw three touchdowns by halftime and a stifling defense kept Avon Grove at bay as the Red Raiders opened Ches-Mont League National Division play with a convincing 49-3 victory over the Red Devils at Coatesville Stadium.
The Red Raiders won their fifth straight following an opening-night loss to Harrisburg, to improve to 5-1, 1-0 in the National. Avon Grove falls to 1-6, 1-2 in the National.
Coatesville will find out what it’s made of in the final three weeks, as the Red Raiders close at home against Bishop Shanahan before two straight trips to Kottmeyer Stadium to face Downingtown West and Downingtown East.
As for Friday night, the Red Devils’ first offensive possession lasted only three plays. On a 3rd-and-10 JT McDondald’s pass was intercepted by a diving Abdul Stewart to set Coatesville up at the Avon Grove 31.
It didn’t take long to cash in the opportunity. After a one-yard run, Ortega hit Dapree Bryant on a perfectly thrown 30-yard touchdown pass for a quick 7-0 lead.
Things did not get much better for Avon Grove on its next series, McDonald was sacked and fumbled and Coatesville was set up with even better field position at the Avon Grove 15.
On the next play, Ortega hit Damonte Reason on a slant and a 14-0 lead before two minutes went by on the clock.
“It’s good to see Ricky back,” said head coach Matt Ortega. “He was moving around well. He was the old Ricky.”
The senior QB was even needed on defense (sort of. The next time they had the ball, Ortega was intercepted on a tipped pass by Nate Belifiore, who was headed to the end zone, but Ortega made the tackle on the Coatesville 35.
The drive stalled and the turnover went begging as a 35-yard field goal slid off to the left.
Avon Grove did get on the board early in the second, after a 25-yard pass from McDonald to Wyatt Kirby put them in scoring position. Bobby Smith made it count with a 26-yard field goal.
The big play excited the Coatesville crowd again as Ortega found Stewart behind the defense for a 57-yard score and a 21-3 lead. Ortega finished his one half of play, 7-of-12 for 134 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Coatesville took a longer route for its next touchdown, going 66 yards in 10 plays toward the end of the half as Ashon Wesley scooted in from the 10 to complete a dominiant half for a 27-3 advantage.
The Red Devils were held to minus-18 yards rushing and 21 yards of total offense.
“Our defense has been godd all season,” said Matt Ortega, who celebrated a birthday on the sideline. “It’s definitely been our strength of this team, especially since our injuries. They work so hard and belive in the defensive coaches.”
The second half saw Ricky Ortega go to the bench as the Red Raiders closed out their National Division opener. Pierce Hadzor booted a 19-yard field goal to along with touchdowns from Dametrius McClain-Jackson and a pass from Rhyel Eubanks to Lebron Bessick.
The defensive intensity didn’t lessen for the Red Raiders as they continued to bottle up the Red Devils.
“We were prepared well and the first guy was able to make the tackle,” said junior Frank Johnson, who had two of the Red Raiders’ eight total sacks.
