COUGARS SURVIVE AND MOVE ON IN PLAYOFFS, DOWNING FALCONS 26-21

Paul Sarpen

 

The final quarterfinal game in the District 1 AAAA playoffs was contested on Saturday night, as the Cougars of Downingtown East, survived a couple of scares from the Pennsbury Falcons, 26-21 at Kottmeyer Stadium.  Downingtown East jumped out to a 20-0 lead into the early part of the second quarter behind the strength of 3 Pat Devlin touchdown passes, a 10 yard throwback to Kevin Nagahashi to open the scoring, and 2 to tailback Mike Burke. 

 

It seemed like the Cougars were going to fricasee the Falcons- not so fast my friends.  Pennsbury used a 67 yard touchdown run by Trenton Branam, and a 2 point conversion to close the gap to 20-8 going into halftime.  Pennsbury scored again early in the fourth stanza to make it 20-15, after another long scamper by Branam (37 yards this time).  However, an upset was not in the cards, as Pat Devlin threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game, this one to Pat O'Connor to make it 26-15.  Pennsbury would score again, but the Cougars recovered the on-sides kick, took a few knees, and that was that.

 

During the game, Pat Devlin threw for 394 yards and four touchdowns, passing Ron Powlus for second all time in yards passing in the state.  Other big games were turned in by Downingtown East receivers Pat O'Connor (10 catches, 154 yards), and Mike Burke (138 yards 2 TDs)

 

The loss ends Pennsbury's season at 8-3, and Downingtown East (10-1) moves on to the semi-finals @ Neshaminy (10-1) on Friday.  The game will be at Harry Franks Stadium in Langhorne.