Coatesville’s performance at their homecoming game on Friday night thrilled the capacity crowd as they dominated Shanahan with a resounding 55-25 victory. Following a challenging loss last week, the team harnessed the valuable lessons from that defeat and displayed a remarkable performance at their utmost potential!
In addition, the Red Raiders faced an setback as their star quarterback, Matt Ortega, Jr., was sidelined due to a concussion. However, Amir Haskett stepped into the quarterback position and delivered an outstanding performance for Coatesville. Haskett emerged as the standout rusher of the game, accumulating 129 yards and three touchdowns on just ten carries. He wasted no time, taking the first play from scrimmage and dashing 56 yards for a touchdown, giving Coatesville an early 7-0 lead. Haskett later showcased his speed and skill with scoring runs of 37 and 46 yards.
The first quarter saw the Red Raiders extending their lead with impressive plays. Jake Van Orden contributed a significant 53-yard interception return, and Jayvon Tucker Scott added a remarkable 67-yard punt return.
Despite Coatesville’s early dominance, Shanahan displayed resilience and determination. They clawed their way back into the game by scoring the next two touchdowns. Anthony Aquila made a dazzling 81-yard kickoff return, and Landon Wright connected with Aiden Civatella for a 19-yard scoring strike, narrowing the gap to 21-12.
Coatesville didn’t let Shanahan’s resurgence deter them. Their defense stepped up, effectively shutting down Shanahan’s ground attack and limiting the Eagles to a mere 15 yards rushing throughout the game. Coatesville’s defense intercepted four passes, and two of these interceptions were returned for touchdowns. Jake Van Orden and Terry Wiggins were the heroes responsible for those remarkable defensive plays. Wiggins’ 82-yard pick-six was a game-changing moment, intercepting the pass as the Eagles were advancing deep into Coatesville territory.
Shanahan Football demonstrated their resilience and toughness, competing as the only Class 4A team in the fiercely competitive Ches-Mont National division, which includes some of the top Class 6A teams in District 1. This challenging schedule has prepared them for the post-season, where they hold the #2 ranking in 4A, just behind their neighboring rivals, Pope John Paul in Royersford.
Next week is another battle of the heavy weights when Coatesville meets Downingtown East. We can’t wait! Mark your calendars!
