Downingtown West trips W.C. Henderson, 14-10
Downingtown West trips W.C. Henderson, 14-10
Three consecutive losses to West Chester Henderson gave Downingtown West plenty of incentive going into Friday night's Ches-Mont League National Division showdown.
In a battle of unbeatens, the Whippets made good on their revenge bid. Boosted by a combined 134 rushing yards from quarterback Bret Gillespie and tailback Kessan Christopher, they pinned a 14-10 defeat on the host Warriors under clear skies at J. Oscar Dicks Stadium.
The difference was Gillespie's 1-yard sneak with 8 minutes, 19 seconds left in the third quarter. Henderson advanced deep into West territory twice in the fourth quarter, but its drives ended at the 5 and 17, respectively.
Said Whippets coach Mike Milano: "I don't know what happened tonight, but we ended up on top, and I'll take that."
West, ranked No. 5 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, improved to 6-0 for the first time in its six-year history and 2-0 in the league. Henderson slipped to 5-1 and 2-1.
The Whippets avenged a 13-7 upset loss from last season and two from the 2007 campaign, including a 36-24 loss in the semifinal round of the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoff tournament.
On West's winning drive, Gillespie, making his first appearance since suffering a separated shoulder in Week 2, drove the Whippets 76 yards on eight plays. On the second play of the drive, he completed a 41-yard pass to wideout Peter Mulville.
Overall, Gillespie (3 for 11 passing, 116 yards) carried seven times for 60 yards. Christopher netted 74 yards on 18 attempts.
Henderson quarterback Will Stephenson, back from an ankle injury, sparked his squad's vaunted triple-option attack, carrying 16 times for 58 yards. Halfback Couve Lafate (14 for 46) also contributed to a rushing total of 228 yards.
The Warriors held a 10-7 advantage at intermission, thanks to a 9-yard, second-quarter TD burst by Bobby Bureski. The score capped a 12-play, 55-yard drive that included a 15-yard, second-down scamper by Lafate. On the play, a left-side option, Stephenson tossed to Lafate just before being hit by linebacker Dylan Ferron.
The Whippets struck first. They opened the game with a seven-play, 60-yard drive that closed with fullback Trey Faust's 4-yard TD run up the middle.
On the first play from scrimmage, Gillespie hooked up with Mulville for a 37-yard gain that advanced the ball to the Henderson 23.
West netted 187 yards on the ground. Its defensive leaders included Ferron, lineman Josh Coulter, and linebackers Max Bause (fourth-quarter sack) and Shane O'Toole.
Downingtown West 7 0 7 0 - 14
West Chester Henderson 3 7 0 0 - 10
DW: Faust 4 run (Taylor kick)
WCH: FG Brewer 26
WCH: Bureski 9 run (Brewer kick)
DW: Gillespie 1 run (Taylor kick)
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
