Coatesville rolls over Downingtown East, 40-7
A dominant performance up front, a poised showing by a rookie quarterback and the dynamic efforts of several quick playmakers paved the way for Coatesville's surprising romp over Downingtown East.
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A dominant performance up front, a poised showing by a rookie quarterback and the dynamic efforts of several quick playmakers paved the way for Coatesville's surprising romp over Downingtown East.
The visiting Red Raiders scored three touchdowns in the opening six minutes, consistently kept the Cougars' offense at bay, and rolled to a 40-7 triumph in Friday night's Ches-Mont League National Division contest at packed Kottmeyer Stadium.
"The way we physically controlled things was kind of an eye-opener for us," Coatesville coach Matt Ortega said.
Freshman Ricky Ortega, the coach's son, connected on 8 of 13 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot, 185-pounder also set up a pair of tallies, including his 1-yard sneak, with scampers of 30 and 20 yards.
"The progress he's made from the summer to now has been pretty amazing," Red Raiders senior wideout Jadan Hudson said.
On Coatesville's first possession, Ortega rolled left and found a wide-open Mekhi Alexander for a 64-yard TD.
Coatesville upped its first-quarter advantage to 21-0 on Alexander's 28-pass to junior wideout Avery Young (six catches for 121 yards) and sophomore halfback Aaron Young's 68-yard jaunt. The brothers are a dazzling one-two punch.
"We had to take what East was giving us," Hudson said. "Early on, that's what we did."
In winning their fifth straight game since a 42-21 setback against District 3's Cumberland Valley, the Red Raiders improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the division. They cut East's lead in the head-to-head series to 8-7.
Late in the second quarter, Ortega's 33-yard connection with Avery Young made it 27-0.
Coatesville's defense limited East (5-2, 2-1) to 59 yards (19 rushing on 17 attempts, 40 passing) and forced two turnovers in the first half.
The swarming unit was spearheaded by ends Chris Carney and Jimmy Limper, tackles Dakota Rogers and Alex Raimondo, and linebackers Nik Thompson and Taun Evans. Limper's second-quarter sack forced a fumble that was recovered by Evans.
Aaron Young, a Division I-A prospect, carried 10 times for 125 yards before leaving early in the third quarter with what Ortega said was a hip pointer.
Coatesville 21 6 6 7 - 40
Downingtown East 0 0 7 0 - 7
C: Mekai Alexander 64 pass from Ricky Ortega (Rahmeer Frazier kick)
C: Avery Young 28 pass from Alexander (Frazier kick)
C: Aaron Young 68 run (Frazier kick)
C: Avery Young 33 pass from Ortega (kick failed)
C: Jadan Hudson 34 pass from Ortega (run failed)
DE: Zach Burdenski 28 pass from Bryce Lauletta (Ian Nelson kick)
C: Ortega 1 run (Frazier kick)
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