Rustin blanks Unionville to take hold of Ches-Mont American race

WESTTOWN >> Since its inception, the American Division of the Ches-Mont League has been the private property of the Unionville Indians and the West Chester Rustin Golden Knights.

For the past three seasons, Unionville has taken the championship, leaving Rustin in its wake.

Friday night, the Golden Knights took a huge step toward ending that run and claiming the 2018 championship as Rustin beat the Indians, 14-0.

The West Chester Rustin defense completely shut down the Unionville offense, limiting the Indians (3-1 Ches-Mont, 3-5 overall) to just a paltry 129 yards of total offense with Rustin (3-0, 5-2) holding the usual potent Indians running attack to just 56 yards. On offense, the Golden Knights were led by running back Michael Covert, who rushed for 110 yards on 15 carries, and quarterback Will Pileggi, who broke off an 85-yard run in the third period to seal the Indians’ fate. Covert also picked off a Unionville pass in Rustin territory.

“We sort of came in here with a big chip on our shoulders,” Covert said. “They took the title the last three years and we wanted it back. And tonight, our offensive line opened up some nice holes for me to run behind. And when Will broke off that big run we knew we would win the game. Me and Will have been friends since we were in the fourth grade and it is a dream to play on this team. Tonight, we showed we are the better team.”

With the first period being scoreless, the Golden Knights broke through early in the second quarter. The Golden Knights went on a seven-play drive that ended when Nick Madonna raced around the right side for the final eight yards and a 7-0 Rustin advantage. Unionville would miss a field goal in the second quarter, but that was the closest the Indians came to scoring the entire game.

Unionville quarterback Blake Charlton was sacked four times on the night, including twice by Matt Montgomery, who also forced a fumble on his second sack and recovered it himself. The Golden Knights defense stopped Unionville twice on short fourth down attempts.

The Unionville defense tried to hold the Indians in the game but the Indians’ offense had no answers for the swarming Golden Knights defense. Sean Hopkins and Montgomery were the big stars on the night for Rustin, and with Golden Knights’ ground game churning out 242 yards and chewing up the clock, it was a long night for the Unionville defense.

The Indians defense finally broke, when after a punt pinned the Golden Knights back at their own 10-yard line late in the third quarter, Pileggi faked right and then bolted left and rambled 85 yards to the Unionville 1-yard line. One play later, Rustin was in the end zone with Pileggi sneaking it in, and the Golden Knights had a commanding 14-0 lead.

“If Nick Pileggi was not our quarterback he would be one of the best running backs in the league,” said West Chester Rustin head coach Mike St. Clair. “And Michael Covert has very shifty feet that keep moving and that allows him to run between the tackles for us. It seems like it always comes down to us and Unionville for the league title and tonight we came out on top.”

Rustin still has two Ches-Mont American Division games left, as the Golden Knights take a trip to high-scoring Sun Valley next week while Unionville hosts Ches-Mont National Division power Downingtown East in a mandated crossover game.