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DOWNINGTOWN >> It’s hard to call a playoff game a trap game, but Downingtown West handled it on Friday.
Following a thrilling Week 10 win over crosstown rivals Downingtown East and a potential rival game in Week 2 of the playoffs, the No. 4 Wippets handle business against No. 13 Conestoga I had to find a way to do it.
Nothing fancy, but the West did exactly what it took to take on the Pioneers 35-13 at Cottmayr Stadium in the first round of the 1-6A district playoffs.
The win set up a second round rematch against the East, marking the first time in the 20th season since the division that the two Downingtown schools have faced off in the playoffs.
Downingtown West’s John Mulville hits the hole against Conestoga. (Nate Heckenberger – for MediaNews Group)
West coach Mike Milano said, “Every week we talked about how difficult it was. “There’s not a lot of time to feel good about ourselves. We have to get back to work.”
To inject energy into the team, Milan started the West (9-1) with a no-huddle attack on the first drive. It worked perfectly, with Quinn Hennicle completing all three passes for 56 yards and John Mulville capping the 62-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Conestoga (6-5) had a tough first half, but on the West’s third possession, Jake Kusella scored on a 14-yard counter.
Downingtown West’s Jake Kusella dives into the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown. (Nate Heckenberger – for MediaNews Group)
The Pioneers got on the board when Pete Costigan found Brody Eaton on an 18-yard TD reception, cutting the Whippett lead to seven and heading into the break.
“We had an interesting week with (Dean) Hungie and a few kids not hospitalized because they were sick and we got in our way a little bit in the first half,” Milan said. “Kudos to (Conestoga). Matt (Diamond) did a great job and blew us away in his first 24 minutes.”
John Mulville of Downingtown West. (Nate Heckenberger – for MediaNews Group)
The Whippets rushed back to attack, starting the third quarter and moving just down the field again to set up a 1-yard TD run by Marville. The senior running back led Whippett with 77 rushing yards for him and scored his TD for his third on the next drive.
The West put the game almost out of reach on the first play of the 4th quarter when Kamelin Alex broke at will for a 14-yard TD run. With Hanzee disqualified from the playoffs following his move from Malvern Prep, other players like Alex (6 carries, 36 yards) will be asked to step up.
“This is an opportunity for everyone,” said Alex. “It feels good to win. We work hard day and night.”
Quinn Hennicle of Downingtown West. (Nate Heckenberger – for MediaNews Group)
Stoga got his second TD on a 17-yard pass from Costigan to Jeremy Friend.
Conestoga manager Matt Diamond said, “My message to the players was just to keep their heads high.” We were able to qualify and they have set a great standard for how that is done.”
Stoga’s second consecutive playoff appearance was in 2008 and 2009, both times the Pioneers lost to the West.
Downingtown West’s Carter Greer tackled Conestoga’s Pete Costigan and lost. (Nate Heckenberger – for MediaNews Group)
The Whippets focus on the East, who lost 31-28 in the regular season finale. This time, Hangey is absent as he scored a TD in the final five minutes of the win.
“It’s always hard to play against people twice,” Milano said. “There’s some really good football and the playoffs in District 1 are tough. It doesn’t get easier from week to week.”
Ryan Campbell of Downingtown West. (Nate Heckenberger – for MediaNews Group)
Downingtown West 35, Conestoga 13
Conestoga 0 7 0 6-13
Downingtown West 7 7 14 7 – 35
scoring
first quarter
DW- Marville 4 Run (Meehan Kick)
Second quarter
DW-Kusera 14 Runs (Mehan Kick)
C- 18 passes from Eaton P. Costigan (white kick)
third quarter
DW- Marville 1 Run (Meehan Kick)
DW- Marville 3 Run (Maehan Kick)
4th quarter
DW- Alex 14 Run (Maehan Kick)
C- Friend 17 pass from P. Costigan (missed kick)
team total
C. DW
first down 10 19
Yard Rush 33-145 36-162
Passage yard 44 127
Total yards 189 289
Pass 4-11-0 10-19-0
Fumble loss 1-0 0-0
Punt average 3-32 2-42.5
Penalty Yards 4-40 3-40
personal statistics
Rush: Downingtown West — Marville 19-77, 3 TD; Alex 6-36, TD; Hayford 5-36; Henicle 4-8; Dan 2-(-4); Garity 1-(-2). Conestoga — Cook Kichi 12-57; Newhall 8-34; Kent 1-22; P. Costigan 9-15
Pass: Downingtown West — Henicle 10-19, 127 yards. Conestoga — P. Costigan 4-11, 44 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving: Downingtown West — Kuthera 4-41; Hayford 1-33; Barry 2-26; Campbell 1-19; Alex 1-9; Conestoga — Eaton 2-22, TD; Friends 1-17, TD; Newhall 1-5.
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