West Chester Henderson looks for something special against Springfield-Delco

West Chester Henderson must travel to face top-seeded Springfield-Delco in the Class 5A bracket on Friday night.

Both teams face very stern tests, and their coaches are fully aware of what their teams are up against.

Henderson is coming off a thrilling 17-14 win over Upper Dublin that had head coach Steve Mitten looking back.

Special teams has played a huge role in several Henderson games this season.

“Our special teams have been great all season, and then against Upper Dublin, we get a punt block and then Bryce McElhiney kicks another game-winning field goal for us,” Mitten said. “He won the Oxford game and in the West Chester East game, he hit a big field goal. CJ Preston, besides rushing the football for us, had the big punt block that won the Downingtown West game for us. And, Joe Saulino set a school record with a 77-yard punt to pin Great Valley inside the one-yard line. So our special teams have been fantastic.”

Mitten then turned his attention to the district’s top seed.

“As far as Springfield, they are the Central League champions, and the Central has Garnet Valley, Springfield and Marple Newtown still left, so to win that league this year is a big thing,” he said. “They play very hard, have excellent skill players and they really rally to the football. It will be another big challenge for us.”

Springfield and Henderson are almost carbon copies of each other. Both like to run the football, play tough defense and have good special teams. Henderson has a knack for going on the road in the playoffs and knocking teams off. And playing in the Ches-Mont League National Division is just about as tough as anything the Cougars will throw their way. They go on the road and do it again.

THE PICK >>  W.C. Henderson 21, Springfield 14