Paul Sarpen Report

Tonight at Kottmeyer Stadium, the Cougars of Downingtown East rode the big play machine early, to down the Red Devils of Avon Grove, 49-26. However, the game was far closer than the score indicated, as the hosts were up 28-20 at halftime. The Cougars had six plays go for 40 yards or more, four of them going for over 50 yards.

Downingtown East started off the game forcing Avon Grove to punt. Cougar running back Richie Walls struck first blood on a 57 yard touchdown run. Avon Grove evened the score at 7-7 on a Joe Barretta 1 yard run, his first of 2 scores tonight. Downingtown East's advantage swelled to 21-7 after touchdown catches by Walls (52 yards) and Willy Davis (13 yards).

Once the lead became 21-7, Avon Grove ripped off a few big plays, including a 38 yard scoring scamper by Andrew Jones (who also had a 53 yard run). The extra point failed, and it was 21-13. Both teams traded touchdowns- Richie Walls on a 33 yard catch & run for East, and Jones scoring again from 2 yards out for Avon Grove. Hence, the 28-20 East halftime edge.

In the end, it was just too much Cougar firepower, as Duron Wilson (2 yards), Richie Walls (49 yards), and Pete O'Connor (25 yards) scored touchdowns. Between the Wilson and Walls scores, Joe Berretta added his 2nd touchdown scamper from 2 yards out. Shadowed in all of this offensive firepower, Avon Grove tied a Kottmeyer Stadium record for most plays in a scoring drive (17, shared by North Penn in 2002).

Rich and Tom, how about this for a week 5 "Monster Game"- Richie Walls had 346 all purpose yards tonight! Walls had 216 yards receiving (7 catches), 140 yards rushing (6 rushes), and 4 touchdowns (2 each rushing and receiving).

Up next for Avon Grove (3-2, 1-1 Ches-Mont) is a home game opposite the West Chester East Vikings (4-1, 2-0 Ches-Mont) next Saturday morning. Up next for Downingtown East (4-1, 2-0 Ches-Mont), is a Saturday afternoon game against Spring-Ford.

My impressions- Richie Walls is a class act. Avon Grove is no longer to be taken lightly, the game was MUCH MUCH CLOSER than the score indicated.

(looking competitive during this game, and winning over Unionville 2 weeks ago). "We are tired of earning people's respect, we want some wins." "There are no moral wins. Just wins on the field."

(game preperation)- "What they did was no shock to us. On the long screen pass to Walls, we had no defensive end on the field on that side."

(offense)- "We had the same game plan, but needed a bit more urgency with East's offense. We are a run first team, always have been. These kids work hard in practice and on the field week in and week out."

(Ches-Mont League)- "Our goal is to win the Ches-Mont. You do not get moral victories to win consistantly and be successful in one of the best leagues in the state. We have barely over 40 kids on our team."

(Game tonight)- "Richie Walls had a breakout game tonight. There was no letdown from the Coatesville game, we were just whipped up front. Their offensive line and # 44 (Joe Barretta) just whipped us. Noone took Avon Grove for granted."

(Richie's game)- "This is just a continuation of 2005 for him. He is a 4 year varsity player, and a leader."

(On the Offense)- "It does not matter who gets the ball, or how I get the ball, I just love this offense. This offense puts us in a position to succeed week in and week out."

Q1- DE- Richie Walls 57 run (McKinley kick)
- AG- Joe Barretta 1 run (Johnson kick)

Q2- DE- Willy Davis 13 pass from O'Connor (McKinley kick)
- AG- Andrew Jones 38 run (kick failed)

AG- Whalen 6-89, Jones 22-145-2td, Barretta 8-24-2td, Wolfe 10-24, Petraza 5-3, Price 8-30.