West Chester Rustin finishes off perfect run through Ches-Mont American

WESTTOWN >> Even though the West Chester Rustin football team technically clinched the Ches-Mont American Division championship last week in a win at Sun Valley, the Golden Knights wanted to cement a 5-0 mark in the division Friday night against Great Valley, and assure themselves a first round home game in next Friday’s District 1 Class 5A playoffs.

Mission accomplished.

The only thing the Golden Knights did not know was that Great Valley would cough the ball up three times in the first 12 minutes, leading directly to 14 Golden Knights points, and Rustin cruised to a commanding 33-12 Ches-Mont American win.

“Even though we won the title last week, we did not want a tie, we wanted to go undefeated in the American,” West Chester Rustin lineman Sean Hopkins said. “That is the goal every year and I feel after we got those turnovers we had control of the game. Now, it’s on to the playoffs and we are a confident team right now.”

Rustin (5-0, 7-2) took advantage of Great Valley (1-4, 3-7) fumbling the opening kickoff. The Golden Knights went on a six-play, 35-yard scoring drive that ended when Mike Covert went in from two yards out. Soon after, Great Valley fumbled again, and this time Rustin moved the ball 69 yards to score. Will Pileggi went the final yard and it was a 14-0 Golden Knights lead after 15 minutes of play.

“You just cannot give good teams those opportunities,” Great Valley head coach Dan Ellis said. “I thought our offense played pretty well and our defense was just on the field too long. The turnovers killed us.”

Great Valley came back to make it a 14-6 game when Josh burgess took a direct snap to go five yards and cut the Golden Knights’ lead to 14-6 in the second quarter. But, Great Valley could not sustain many drives, as the Patriots rushed the football for just 35 yards and quarterback Jake Prevost was under duress for much of theme.

Rustin scored right before the end of the first half, after a Collin Hurley interception. The shifty Pileggi rambled 20 yards, weaving his way through Patriot defenders and Rustin had a commanding 21-6 advantage at halftime.

“The goal every year is to win the American,” Rustin linebacker Owen Walsh said. “And tonight, we took the turnovers, scored and our defense stopped the run and put pressure on the quarterback. We are very confident going into the playoffs.”

Rustin salted the game away as it took the second half kickoff and went on a five-plus minute drive, with Nick Madonna going the final three yards to make it a 27-6 game, and Great Valley was in desperation mode.

Great Valley quarterback Jake Prevost was sacked three times and was hurried much of the night. Prevost completed 14 of 27 passes for 158 yards, but without a potent rushing attack, the Golden Knight defenders were taking clear aim at the Great Valley quarterback.

“The turnovers early were huge,” West Chester Rustin head coach Mike St. Clair said. “And then we played great run defense and put a lot of pressure other quarterback. The kids worked hard for the championship and now we have to get ready again for the playoffs.”