WC Rustin turns tables on Strath Haven

WALLINGFORD >> Like a moth to flame, it seems West Chester Rustin and Strath Haven are attracted to overtime. After last season’s controversial overtime win by Strath Haven in the District 1 5A championship game over Rustin, the two old friends went the extra route again Friday night at George King Field in the 5A semifinals.

This time it was Rustin who prevailed as the Golden Knights held the Panthers on a two-point conversion try and the Golden Knights advanced to the District 1 5A title game with a thrilling 28-27 triumph.

“We thought about the loss to (Strath Haven) all summer long,” Rustin running back Daimon Jacobs said. “That was a tough loss last year and we felt the calls did not go our way so we wanted to win this for the seniors from last year. We really worked hard all summer and we only thought about beating Strath Haven.”

Rustin got out to a 13-0 lead after one period but trailed the Panthers 14-13 at halftime after a 14-0 second period by the Panthers. The two evenly-matched teams went at each other tooth-and-nail for the entire second half, ending in a 21-21 tie after 48 minutes.

The Golden Knights got the ball first in the overtime period and Chase Hatton scored from two yards out. After a successful Griffin Strunk extra point it was 28-21.

The Panthers then scored on a one-yard run by Anthony Crawford but after a timeout, the Panthers elected to go for the two-point conversion and the win. The run play failed and the Golden Knights had their sweet revenge as they gleefully rushed the field along with many Rustin fans.

“I was in the end zone last year when they said they scored and I still remember (Strath Haven’s) marching band running on our field,” Rustin running back Antonio Santangleo said. “It made me sick to my stomach to see that.

“All summer when we were working out we talked about getting them back. This is such great feeling to go to the district title game and we wanted it to go through Strath Haven and it is a great feeling to beat them in overtime.”

One player who was not on varsity last year was Rustin sophomore quarterback David McClain. McClain was on the sidelines for the bitter loss to Strath Haven last year and he said that he, and his teammates, were very happy the playoff brackets ran through Strath Haven again this season.

“We really wanted to see them again,” McClain said. “That loss stuck with all of us the whole summer and through the season. To beat them in such a thrilling game on their field is really sweet. It is a great feeling for sure.”

The overtime win puts the Golden Knights into the district title game for the third season in a row and they will face top-seeded Upper Dublin next Friday at 7 p.m. Rustin head coach Mike St. Clair talked about the rivalry with the Panthers.

“We knew we probably would see these guys again,” St. Clair said. “Strath-Haven is a great team and they are a class organization. Coach (Kevin) Clancy does a great job and they have won a lot of games over the years. We are just glad to be moving on and happy we got this one.”