Downingtown East's Fell prepares to face familiar foes

When Caleb Fell isn't playing football for Downingtown East, he stays busy with a wide range of pursuits.

The senior is enrolled in two music classes at school, is part of the men's choir, and a is member of a club rugby squad made up of Downingtown East and Downingtown West players. He also works 15 to 20 hours a week in the kitchen of a local eatery.

"It's just the way I am," Fell said. "Free time is nice, but I don't want to have any regrets when it comes to enjoying a full high school experience."

A defensive end on the gridiron, Fell and the Cougars are preparing to face Downingtown West in the latest chapter of the Battle of the Brandywine. The series, which is deadlocked at 5-5, resumes at 7 p.m. Friday at Kottmeyer Stadium.

Last season, in snapping a three-year losing skid, the Whippets triumphed, 29-28, before an overflow crowd on a short touchdown run and two-point conversion toss with two minutes remaining.

"It left a really bad taste in our mouths," Fell said. "It's something we don't want to experience again."

East, ranked No. 25 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, is 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the Ches-Mont League National Conference. No. 15 West is 6-2 and 3-1.

Fell, who last season earned second-team all-National Conference honors, played youth football for the Downingtown Young Whippets. Most of West's players suited up for the Marsh Creek Eagles.

"Growing up and playing with and against many of the West kids, it makes this game pretty intense," said Fell, a 6-foot-3, 235-pounder who counts Whippets senior linebacker Lucas McMahon among his friends.

West is spurred on offense by quarterback Tyler McNulty, running backs Jake Barr and Michael Riddick, and wide receiver Tom Mattioni. It has averaged 48 points over the last four games.

"They're very good at spreading the ball around and utilizing their speed," said Fell, also an offensive guard. "[McNulty] does a good job of avoiding hits and making plays."

Fell said he was only a few weeks old when he was put up for adoption by his 16-year-old mother. "She wasn't in a position to take care of a baby, so she did the best thing possible in that situation," he said.

Bill and Debi Fell welcomed Caleb, whose biological father was serving in the military, to their family. "I'm so grateful for them and all they've done for me," he said. "They support me in everything I do."

Fell, 17, has four siblings. Michael, 22, has had to deal with a learning disability. "I always tell him he's my sunshine on a rainy day," Fell said proudly.

With a 3.2 grade-point average, Fell, an erstwhile play actor, is drawing interest in football from Army, Central Connecticut, and Lehigh.

"He's one of the most dynamic kids I've come across in all my years of coaching," East boss Mike Matta said.

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