West Chester Rustin survives scare from Interboro in district opener

WESTTOWN >> With top-seeded West Chester Rustin and its powerful running attack steamrolling opponents over the past few weeks, probably no one outside of Interboro gave the Bucs much of a chance in the first round of the District 1, Class 5A playoffs Friday night at Rustin.
But midway through the fourth quarter, Interboro was within three points at 20-17.

An ensuing onside kick attempt came up empty, and the Golden Knights (9-1) controlled the rest of the action, winning 34-17. Rustin moves on to play the winner of Saturday’s game between Kennett and Chester, while Interboro (3-8) will look forward to a Thanksgiving Day rivalry game against Ridley.
“Interboro is a very good, physical and well-coached football team,” said Rustin coach Mike St. Clair. “This was no first round bye — and they are not your typical 16 seed. But we were able to move the ball, overcome some tough situations and turnovers, and finish in the end. So we’re happy about that, and happy to move on.”
One of those turnovers came about as early as it could. The Golden Knights fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, with Interboro taking over inside the 10 yard line. Though the Rustin defense kept the Bucs out of the end zone, Jake Finley connected on a 27-yard field goal for a 3-0 Bucs lead.

Rustin answered right back, reeling off a six-play, 58-yard drive, capped by a 16-yard jaunt from Dayshawn Jacobs.
The elusive Jacobs, as has been the case all year, led all rushers in the game, piling up 137 yards on just 14 carries, to go with three touchdowns. Jacobs added another TD on defense, icing the game with a 62-yard interception return.
“He just loves playing” said St. Clair of Jacobs. “Offense, defense, it doesn’t matter, he’s going full speed. He’s got a good line in front of him, and he always makes sure they know that.”
The ball was probably still in the air when Jacobs knew he was going to finish the play in the end zone with a pick six.
“It was out in the open field,” said Jacobs. “I got a big block early, and I knew then that if I didn’t go all the way, I was going to be a little disappointed in myself.”

Trailing 20-10 after Rustin added scores on runs of 49 yards and 33 yards from Jacobs, Interboro put together a drive of its own, capped by a 7-yard pass from Julian Bulovas to Zakee Brooks, to cut the lead to 20-17, with 6:47 to play.
The Bucs tried the onside kick, and had a shot, but the ball squirted away, and was recovered by Rustin. The Golden Knights responded with a clock-eating drive, capped by a 1-yard plunge from quarterback Kolbe Freney that mostly put the game out of reach.
“I just knew I had to get it in the end zone,” said Freney. “That was totally set up by Dayshawn, and I wasn’t going to let him down by not getting in.”

Leading the way for the Bucs offensively was Abu Kamara, who rushed for 72 yards on 20 carries. Bulovas had some success through the air, connecting with Brooks for 76 yards and a touchdown.
“We were one onside kick away from having the ball at the 50, and only down three,” said Interboro coach Dennis Lux. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way my guys played tonight. That is a very good team over there, and these kids gave them all they can handle.”