A Big Expansion With Few Changes

The newly expanded Ches-Mont League will open its first football season this weekend, but the expansion won't bring any dramatic changes for the league's schools.

League officials put their stamp of approval on the addition of six former Southern Chester County League schools to the football mix last week at a meeting in Coatesville.

Five of the new members - Great Valley, Kennett, Octorara, Oxford and Unionville - and former Del-Val League member Sun Valley will form the smaller schools American Division in football. Sun Valley, which will also compete this season in soccer, will join in all other sports in 2008.

Bayard Rustin, the newest school in the West Chester School District, will also join the American Division. Octorara will play only a junior varsity schedule the first year.

Avon Grove, Bishop Shanahan, Coatesville, Downingtown East, Downingtown West, West Chester East and West Chester Henderson will make up the big school National Division.

"Across the board, I think it's all been positive," said Ches-Mont president Rick Dunlap, who, along with former SCCL president Dave Madden, helped engineer the merger of the leagues. "It's been a collaborative effort from the beginning. It's gone smoothly. It's like nothing ever happened."

The coaches agree that - for now - it will mean little change for their teams in terms of whom they will be competing against.

For example, Oxford's only change from last year in football will be to play Rustin in a league game instead of Hollidaysburg in a nonleague game.

"Nothing changes very much," said Unionville coach Pat Clark, whose team is the preseason favorite in the American Division.

The Indians are coming off back-to-back championships in the SCCL, where they were one of the bigger schools.

"We'll have to see down the line who grows," he said.

Sun Valley and Rustin appear ready to give Unionville a run for the first Ches-Mont American Division crown.

In the National Division, there could be a mad scramble for the title, with Downingtown West, Downingtown East, West Chester Henderson and Coateville expected to be in the mix.

Team-by-Team Analysis

In predicted order of finish.

Whom to watch: Quarterback Nolan Kearney returns after a season in which he passed for more than 1,500 yards. Tight end Kevin Perri should be a prime target for him. Senior guards Ryan Christian and Tim Ferguson, passing and rushing, should make the Whippets effective on offense. Fullback Matt McLaughlin doubles as a key linebacker.

What to watch: The Whippets' linebacking corps of McLaughlin, Ferguson and Christian could be the best in the league. An undefeated junior varsity team should help fill some skill positions left vacant by graduation.

Outlook: The Whippets just missed winning the league last year. This time they cash in.

West Chester Henderson

Whom to watch: Three-year starters, quarterback John O'Donnell and linebacker/running back Jabair Kahn, lead a contingent of experienced hands. Channing Philpot, a 5-foot-10, 260-pounder, will rejoin twin brother Miles (5-10, 240) at the guard slots. Channing missed last season with a knee injury. Junior Brandon Heath (6-4, 300) is one of the league's biggest players.

What to watch: Coach Joe Walsh has many of the same players back from last year's 5-6 team. The Warriors have good size and speed that make them competitive with anyone.

Outlook: If Downingtown West stumbles, look for Henderson to take it all.

Downingtown East

Whom to watch: Quarterback Pete O'Connor passed for more than 2,700 yards and 22 TDs last season. Receivers Mike Thurm and Derek McKinley give him two solid targets. Mike Brophy (6-2, 250) is among the top linemen in the area. Linebacker Austin Woodford and end Steve Kelley (6-2, 240) make the Cougars' defense formidable.

What to watch: Coach Mike Matta likes the fact that he has 31 seniors on the squad. The Cougars face a tough nonleague schedule that includes Lancaster's J.P. McCaskey.

Outlook: The Cougars will definitely be in the chase.

Coatesville

Whom to watch: Linemen Mark Mounayar (6-1, 290) and District 1 wrestling champ Zack Barker (5-11, 285), provide plenty of size up front. Senior Haneef Brake is typical of Coatesville running backs - quick and elusive. Free safety Joe Grove and cornerback Dave DeShawn provide experience in the defensive secondary.

What to watch: The offensive line appears to be the Red Raiders' strength. In the backfield, however, they will be entirely new.

Outlook: The opener tonight against perennial power Neshaminy will say a lot about how far the Red Raiders go.

West Chester East

Whom to watch: First-year coach Doug Costin has solid two-way players in tackle Kevin Mills, linebacker/fullback Ryan Gallagher, defensive end/guard Anthony Saletta and guard/linebacker Tim Goddard. Junior Chris McCormick will complement Gallagher in the offensive backfield.

What to watch: The Vikings will count heavily on their veteran linemen. Overall, the team lacks game experience.

Outlook: East should finish in the middle of the pack.

Avon Grove

Whom to watch: Coach Mark Dooley is making his debut as a high school head coach. He'll be counting on three of the league's biggest players - Ian Torrero (6-5, 312), Louie Esposito (5-10, 270) and Paul Hashagan (6-3, 275) - to make the Red Devils go. Look to running back Andrew June and fullback Kevin Price to provide offensive punch.

What to watch: Avon Grove's weakness will be a lack of depth, particularly in the linebacking corps. A number of players must go both ways.

Outlook: The Red Devils could better their 1-5 league record last season, their first year in the league.

Bishop Shanahan

Whom to watch: Gerard Remaley and Ryan Alderman give coach Paul Meyers a pair of strong wide receivers who also play defensive back. Mike Martin, a 6-2, 275-pound offensive end will also step in at defensive tackle. Scott Sullivan and Jason Carr will be keys to the Eagles' running game.

What to watch: The running game is expected to be a strength for the Eagles, who are counting on a corps of four or five ball carriers. The team's opener with Cardinal O'Hara tomorrow could go a long way in determining the team's success after a 1-9 season.

Outlook: The Eagles will find it tough improving on last year's record.

Whom to watch: Quarterback Matt Carroll, a threat as a passer and runner, and lineman Steve Caputo are both Division I prospects. Carroll has passed for 1,700 yards and rushed for 1,500 during his varsity career as the starting quarterback. The 6-4, 295-pound Caputo missed last season because of an ACL surgery.

What to watch: With two back-to-back Southern Chester County League championships, the Indians have established a winning culture. Expectations are high.

Outlook: Unionville should win the league's first American Division title for a third straight championship.

Bayard Rustin

Whom to watch: The Golden Knights had no seniors last season - the school's first - so everyone is back. Steve Hess, a 1,000-yard rusher, and quarterback Taylor Towle are among the returnees. Lineman Scott Liacouris checks in at 6-4, 285.

What to watch: The team should have excellent senior leadership, particularly from the now experienced Towle.

Outlook: The Golden Knights will be in the division race.

Sun Valley

Whom to watch: Mark Possenti takes over from brother Joe as coach. Several colleges have expressed interest in Brandon Zamonski, a 6-3, 215-pound inside linebacker and tight end. Senior Eddie Toy steps into the quarterback slot after serving as backup last season.

What to watch: The Vanguards' passing game with Toy, Zamonski and wide receiver Mike Strolli should be a strong point. The team will be young up front.

Outlook: How quickly the Vanguards mature will determine whether they will make a run for the title.

Great Valley

Whom to watch: Returning linebackers Billy Pommerer and John Nurthen were both all-Southern Chester County League selections last season.

What to watch: The Patriots, who suffered a rash of injuries in 2006, have speed and athleticism. They need to stay healthy.

Outlook: The Patriots should pick up a win or two in the league.

Kennett

Whom to watch: Tim Bruhn takes over at quarterback for coach Jim Donato. Wide receiver Ben Hetrak, who has 4.48 speed in the 40-yard dash, caught 26 passes last season, eight for touchdowns. Tailback/safety Dan Spencer is the team's best defender.

What to watch: The Blue Demons will continue to use a no-huddle offense that carried them to a 4-6 record last season.

Outlook: Kennett should be an overall .500 team.

Oxford

Whom to watch: Running back Justin Clark, who averaged more than 5 yards per carry, and tight end Justin Curry, who averaged 17 yards per catch, will be top guns on offense. Marty Rodriguez, an experienced lineman, has been converted to fullback. He will play nose tackle on defense.

What to watch: The Hornets have experience, particularly on the line and defensive secondary.

Outlook: The Hornets will have to work to improve on last season's 2-8 mark.