2007 SEASON PREVIEW

 

Hard to believe that the 2007 football season is upon us already, it seems like the 2006 PIAA Championships just ended last month.  But here is how Chester County High School Football shapes up in 2007.

 

Let us start with the folding of one league, with a merger into another.  The end of the 2006-2007 school year, marked the end of one of the oldest leagues in Pennsylvania- the Southern Chester County League (SCCL), which dated back to 1934.  Most of the SCCL's member schools were absorbed into the other major league in the county, the Ches-Mont League.  Three former SCCL schools that are headed in other directions are non-football playing schools Delaware County Christian School (Bicentennial League), and Devon Prep (Bicentennial League), and football playing school Garnet Valley (Independent in 2007, Central League in 2008).

 

This means the Ches-Mont League will be separated into two divisions, effective this school year.  The Red (Big school) Division will consist of Avon Grove, Bishop Shanahan, Coatesville, Downingtown East, Downingtown West, West Chester East, and West Chester Henderson.  The Blue (Small school) Division will consist of Unionville, Kennett, Great Valley, Oxford, Octorara, Great Valley, West Chester Rustin, and Sun Valley (2008). 

 

The Red Division of the Ches-Mont League will be a two horse race in my mind, between the two Downingtown High Schools- the Cougars of Downingtown East, and Whippets of Downingtown West.  Both the Cougars (key returnees include QB Pete O'Connor, RB Duron Wilson, WR Mike Thurm) and Whippets (key returnees include QB Nolan Kearney, and WR Kevin Pirri) return key players from their 2006 playoff runs.  Most of the other schools are looking for an identity, after losing significant contributors from 2006.

 

Defending Ches-Mont Champions West Chester East, lose many key cogs from that championship team- including Joe Carroll who retired after the season.  New Viking boss Doug Costin vowed that Carroll's offensive and defensive schemes will not change, but a lot of his skill players graduated. 

 

Another school dealing with a new coach and new system, is Avon Grove.  Former coach Jon McFarland left the district, and moved out to the West Coast.  Replacing him is Marvin Dooley.  The Red Devils lose their major skill players, in quarterback Shane Whalen, and running back Manny Pedraza.  This is not a program to look beyond though- Avon Grove upset Unionville last season, and was competitive with Downingtown East.  I covered the Downingtown East game, the game was a lot closer than the score indicated.

 

Bishop Shanahan had a down 2006, and figure to be down in 2007, as most of their key returners on offense and defense lack major game experience.  Running back Nick Vaders is the key returnee on offense for Shanahan.

 

Another school looking for an identity would be the Coatesville Red Raiders.  They lose their star fullback and defensive end Derrick Morgan to Georgia Tech, standout wide receiver Khalil Brewer, and quarterback Scott A'Hara.  Backup quarterback Mike Jamison has some game experience though.

 

The major contender to the two Downingtown High Schools looks like the Warriors of West Chester Henderson.  True they lose starting quarterback Drew Constable to graduation, but injuries limited his football season.  John O'Donnell filled in admirably for Constable.  O'Donnell will not be thrown under the bus quickly, as star fullback Jabair Khan returns to the fold.  The Warrior offensive line looks to have some size as well.

 

As far as the Blue Division goes, it looks like Unionville will win the inaugural championship- as the Indians won the final SCCL championship.  Unionville will be tested early with an opening game at Interboro.

 

One school I do not know much about is Oxford.  Outside of trips to Unionville and Avon Grove, their schedule looks weak.  Hamburg and Solanco do not command the same respect that Malvern Prep, JP McCaskey, Interboro, or Glen Mills command.

 

The Braves of Octorara will not have a varsity program for another year or two, so no predictions here. 

 

The Golden Knights of West Chester Rustin take the field as a second year program, and look to improve on 2006.  The Knights might be the most experienced of the three West Chester football programs. 

 

A school in a similar boat as Rustin, is the Kennett Blue Demons.  Kennett is a third year varsity program, who has to replace two standout players- quarterback Justin Clark, and Big 33 selection Corey Medina.