2005 SEASON SYNOPSIS

What a great 2005 football season it was down here in good old Chester County. The season saw five teams from the county qualify for the District One Playoffs (Phoenixville & Unionville in AAA- Downingtown East, Coatesville, and Conestoga in AAAA).

Phoenixville bowed out in round 1 at the hands of Strath Haven, and Unionville bowed out in round 2 (district title game of District 1/12 AAA) to those same Panthers. Coatesville and Conestoga were eliminated in round 1 of the AAAA playoffs to North Penn and Central Bucks East, respectively, but both lost on the road. Downingtown East advanced past Pennsbury, and highly touted Neshaminy, to the AAAA finals- only to meet their demise at North Penn.

PHOENIXVILLE (10-1)- Their renaissance was built the last two years (2004 & 2005), under coach Bill Furlong. Furlong inherited a program that was 0-11 in 2003, improved it to 6-6 in 2004, and 10-1 in 2005. Unfortunately for the Phantoms, I think it ends here for them. Star quarterback Bill Shirk and running back Travis Ford-Bey both graduate, and I do not know what they have returning.

OWEN J ROBERTS- The Pioneers improved a lot as the season progressed. They finished around .500 after struggling early on. Look for them to be one of the better Pioneer League teams in 2006.

DOWNINGTOWN WEST (4-7)- What a disappointing year for the Whippets 2005 was. There was no improvement in record from 2004- and from what I heard from a few players and their families- they are trying for force Mike Milano out as head coach. In 2004, the Whippets had numerous injuries to key players- but 2005 was just no excuse. They got blown out by Middletown (DE), who made it to the Delaware state playoffs before bowing to Salesianum. They were shut out in the "Battle of Downingtown", to Downingtown East- not only defeated but dominated as well. They imploded big time in the second half against Coatesville, losing 44-9 (they were ahead 9-3 at half). The icing on the cake were losses to lowly Bishop Shanahan, and Owen J Roberts. The only game they were competitive in losing was to West Chester East on a Monday Night in Overtime. Key returnees for the Whippets are QB Nolan Kearney, and RB Roshaan McCain.

DOWNINGTOWN EAST (11-2)- I nominate the Cougars for Chester County Team of the Year. They are a third year program who barely missed the 2004 District Playoffs with an 8-2 record, and made the District Finals this year. How they lost to Malvern Prep in week 4 is beyond me. The Cougars blew threw everyone on their schedule after that game. Yes, QB Pat Devlin, FB Mike Burke, and Mr. Do-Everything Pat O'Connor all graduate- but Richie Walls, and Justin Blye return. Look for the Cougars to be atop the Ches-Mont League in 2006.

COATESVILLE (8-3)- The Red Raiders made the District Playoffs for the second year in a row, and they get beat by a Suburban One League team for the second year in a row. Coatesville loses a HUGE offensive contributor in Clinton Gray, and also lose LB Chris DiMassa. Expect Coatesville to have another 7 or 8 win season in 2006, with Scott A'Hara, and Derrick Morgan returning.

WC EAST (4-7) & WC HENDERSON (6-6)- Here is where there is a big old Pandora's box. There will be a third High School coming to West Chester in 2006, with the opening of Bayard Rustin High School. The seniors will stay at East and Henderson, and all the other students that will enter grades 9/10/11 will be split in three. Rustin will play an Independent District 1 schedule, and I know they'll play Ches-Mont League members Bishop Shanahan, Henderson and East.