BOYS BASKETBALL: Methacton falls short in fourth quarter

Photo by Adrianna Hoff/JRC Methacton’s Sean Mann goes up for a 3-pointer during Tuesday’s game against Coatesville.

By Jonathan Vander Lugt
sports@pottsmerc.com

FAIRVIEW VILLAGE — One week ago, after its win over Souderton, Methacton coach Jeff Derstine stressed how important it’s going to be for his team to play all four quarters moving forward.

Never was that more evident than Tuesday night.

The first three quarters went well for the Warriors. Despite an officiating crew that was generous with the whistle, Methacton was able to establish and maintain an offensive rhythm. Its zone defense also kept Coatesville at bay, forcing the Raiders to take uncomfortable shots, and keeping them from penetrating in the lane. Methacton went into the fourth with a seemingly safe 42-36 lead.

From that point forward, the wheels came off.

Coatesville broke through Methacton’s defense in the fourth en route to outscoring the Warriors, 27-4, and coming away with a 63-46 blowout.

(For the complete story, click here...)

FOOTBALL: Coatesville looking for first state final

Coatesville’s Dre Boggs (2) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half after slipping past four Spring Ford players during the District 1-AAAA championship game last Friday. Coatesville advanced to face LaSalle this week. (Tom Kelly IV/JRC)

By Don Seeley
dseeley@pottsmerc.com

DOWNINGTOWN — La Salle College High School is getting to the point it could pencil in the Class AAAA state semifinal game on its annual schedule.
The Explorers haven’t missed an appearance in the game since joining the PIAA, along with their Philadelphia Catholic and Public league rivals, in 2009. And they’ve certainly had their share of success, too, ripping Ridley (35-7) in their debut and nudging North Penn (38-35) in 2010 before falling to North Penn (21-14) last year.
Coatesville would like nothing more than to drop La Salle back to the .500 mark, get back to the .500 mark itself, Friday night when it meets the Explorers at Downingtown West High School — the site of last weekend’s 59-28 romp over Spring-Ford.

(For complete story, click here ... )

FOOTBALL: Coatesville cruises by Spring-Ford for District 1 title

Coatesville running back Daquan Worley avoids a group of Spring-Ford
tacklers on a carry Friday. (Tom Kelly IV/JRC)

Spring-Ford's Tate Carter breaks away from a
Coatesville defender. (Tom Kelly IV/JRC)

By Don Seeley

dseeley@pottsmerc.com

DOWNINGTOWN — Most football teams see opportunity arise from big hits, big stops and, of course, turnovers. Coatesville sees opportunity the moment it touches the football.

Coatesville doesn’t waste opportunities ... nor time, either.

In Friday night’s District 1-Class AAAA final, the Red Raiders scored the first six times they took possession — seven overall when including a fumble return for another touchdown — to continually thwart early Spring-Ford comebacks and run away with a 59-28 romp at Downingtown West High School’s Kottmeyer Field.

(For complete story, click here ... )

For video from the Spring-Ford-Coatesville,
click here....

The Spring-Ford and Coatesville lines prepare for a
snap on a chilly night Friday.



FOOTBALL: Coatesville offense on a rampage

Dre Boggs, top, and Coatesville celebrate after defeating
Spring-Ford in the District 1-AAAA championship.
(Photo by Tom Kelly IV)


By Barry Sankey
bsankey@journalregister.com

DOWNINGTOWN — Coatesville’s path to a District 1-AAAA football championship focused predominantly on an offense that has been nearly impossible to stop.
The Red Raiders displayed that explosiveness again Friday night as they rolled over Pioneer Athletic Conference representative Spring-Ford, 59-28, in the district championship game at Kottmeyer Stadium.
The Red Raiders (12-2) continue to pile up the points and yardage with an offense that features a potent amount of speed and quickness from an array of backs and receivers.

(For complete story, click here ... )

District 1-AAAA final: Spring-Ford vs. Coatesville coverage

Coatesville 59, Spring-Ford 28, FINAL

Scrambling to provide the in-game video fans have come to expect this season at Mercury Sports Live, in a pinch we've set up a YouTube video channel that is now featuring in-game video from Coatesville vs. Spring-Ford.

Go directly to the YouTube channel here


Follow Darryl Grumling, @MercSmokinD and @PottsmercSports on Twitter for updates.

WEEK 14 PICK(S)

By Don Seeley

Here we go... could this be the last week of the Pick'ms ???? One surprising pick this week. If I'm wrong, I'm a homer (not the first time I've been accused of that) or plain stupid (closer to the truth). If I'm right, well, then I'm a genius (and I have to take advantage of that rare opportunity).

DISTRICT 1-AAAA FINAL
Spring-Ford (12-2) vs. Coatesville (11-2): There's no way Spring-Ford is going to win this game - at least that is what everyone is saying, at least what I began thinking last last Friday night after Coatesville won and Spring-Ford and Pennridge didn't even play their game yet. The more I think about it, there's no way Spring-Ford wins this game. Coatesvile is sooooooo good. Maybe that's why I'm about to go out on a limb (maybe because I've covered the PAC-10 every year it's existed, or maybe because I'm an old, old SF graduate) ... SPRING-FORD.

PIAA-CLASS AAA QUARTERFINAL
Interboro (11-2) vs. Archbishop Wood (10-2): Pottsgrove is the only team that has given Archbishop Wood any type of game in this round - or come close to Archbishop Wood - in recent memory (30-28 back in 2009). As good as Interboro may be, and as average as Archbishop Wood may be (by Archbishop Wood standards that is), it still isn't enough. And don't forget, the defending state champions had their "BYE" last week to get in a little rest and extra preparation ... ARCHBISHOP WOOD.

PIAA-CLASS A QUARTERFINAL
BRISTOL (9-1) vs. DUNMORE (12-1): Bristol may have shocked the Class A bracket with its 22-0 shutout of previously unbeaten Williams Valley last week, but Williams Valley is NOT Dunmore. The Bucks have knocked off a pair of unbeaten oponents the past two weeks - avenging its lone loss this season with a win over Old Forge for the District 2 title, then bumping off traditional state power Southern Columbia last Friday night ... DUNMORE.

* * *

LAST WEEK: 3-0.
SEASON: 72-21 (.774).

FOOTBALL: Underdogs, just the way Spring-Ford likes it

Photo by Barry Taglieber Travis Daywalt (35) and Spring-Ford will once again be the underdogs in Friday’s District 1-AAAA final against Coatesville.

By Don Seeley
dseeley@pottsmerc.com

DOWNINGTOWN — There may not be a soul alive, at least anyone still breathing outside the Royersford, Spring City, Limerick and Upper Providence communities, who isn’t expecting to read Spring-Ford football’s obituary first thing Saturday morning.
No one outside the immediate Spring-Ford football family has given the Rams any hope at all in surviving tonight’s District 1-Class AAAA final against Coatesville at Downingtown West High School.
It isn’t exactly anything head coach Chad Brubaker, his staff or the Rams haven’t heard before, though.
Spring-Ford wasn’t exactly everyone’s choice when the postseason kicked off against Garnet Valley, hardly anyone’s choice the following week at Ridley, and few fans’ choice last Saturday at Pennridge.

(For entire story, click here ... )

FOOTBALL: Spring-Ford believes it belongs this time against Coatesville

Mercury file photo Yousef Lundi and Spring-Ford take on Coatesville in Friday’s District 1-AAAA championship.

By Don Seeley
dseeley@pottsmerc.com

DOWNINGTOWN — One glance at Coatesville, be it on paper or on the football field, certainly reveals just how good a team it is.
Seeing the Red Raiders, live or on film, can be downright terrifying.
Just ask Spring-Ford head coach Chad Brubaker, who has played and replayed every available reel as well as viewed and reviewed just about every move the Red Raiders have made this season in preparation for tonight’s District 1-Class AAAA championship showdown at Downingtown West High School.
“This team is better than last year’s team,” Brubaker said without hesitation during a practice earlier this week. “They are able to run the ball, and they are able to take home run shots down the field. They also play great defense and swarm to the ball.”
Last year, Coatesville spoiled Spring-Ford’s postseason debut with a 60-28 win.
But there may be a difference, at least from where Brubaker will be standing this evening.

(For complete story, click here ... )