Huge first quarter propels Downingtown East to runaway win at Great Valley

EAST WHITELAND >> Downingtown East put on a show offensively Friday night.

But if you blinked too slowly, you might have missed it.

Downingtown East put five touchdowns on the board in the first quarter Friday night at Great Valley, putting the game out of reach en route to a 49-6 rout and a perfect 5-0 start.

“It was an unusual game,” said Cougars head coach Mike Matta. “We got a lot of kids in and I think they all battled and played with Downingtown pride. Sometimes the younger guys lose sight of that, but we saw our varsity guys really supporting our younger guys and that made me proud.”

In total, the Cougars ran for 343 yards and six different players walked into the end zone. Led by Tanner Diehl’s two touchdown runs, the Cougars rushing attack simply was unable to be stopped. 

Spencer Uggla scored the game’s first touchdown on 45-yard run. On only the second play of the Cougars’ first series, Downingtown East was able to set up the big run off a play action pass to Matt Glazer for 23 yards. 

The second touchdown was scored by Josh Asante just minutes later. After the defense forced its second punt on a quick three and out, Matta gave the ball to Asante and let him go. It only took two carries before Asante was off to the races and adding another six points to the scoreboard. 

East’s third offensive series ended with another rushing touchdown by another running back: Stanley Bryant. While the speed of Asante left the Great Valley defense grasping in the air attempting to grab any piece of him, the power of Bryant took Great Valley for a ride as he carried defenders across the goal line on a six-yard run.   

While the offense worked as a well-oiled machine, only resulting to two punts all night, the Cougars’ defense played a crucial part in the game, forcing two fumbles, a turnover on downs and six punts. 

“We run the ball well,” Matta continued. “We have three outstanding halfbacks. They can all run and we have a big physical offensive line so I was pretty happy with how we played.” 

“We knew they were a proud program and we played hard,” Matta continued. “We put things into the game plan and our kids prepared really well. We didn’t play very well last week, so I think that got our attention.”