On a brisk Friday night showdown against Central Bucks South, the Whippets faced what could be labeled their toughest game of the season, plagued by five turnovers and 11 penalties, culminating in a 27-7 loss in the District championship match-up.
Yet, the preceding week’s triumph over Downingtown East stands as a pivotal moment in the program’s history, albeit at a cost. The emotional and physical toll paid to turn a 28-point week 10 defeat, into a last-minute 17-14 victory over their arch-rival left the Whippets in a precarious position.
Throughout the season, the Whippets extracted every ounce of potential, beginning with a hard-fought win against a formidable Abraham Lincoln team. The regular season concluded with a narrow victory over Coatesville in week seven, a close loss to Chester in week eight, and a decisive defeat to the Cougars in the Battle of the Brandywine.
In the first playoff round, West secured a 17-0 win against Council Rock South, preparing the team for a challenging road ahead. Big wins against two undefeated teams, Souderton and D-East, propelled the Whippets to the district finals. However, in crucial moments against the Titans, the desired plays often eluded them.
The Whippets scored their lone touchdown on the last play of the half when Quinn Henicle connected with Dean Hangey on a 21-yard pass through the middle of the end zone. This placed the Whippets within a score of CB South at the half, 13-7. The second half, however, belonged to CB South.
Coach Mike Milano admitted, “We just didn’t play very well. We turned it over a couple of times, and in the end, they are a really good football team. They didn’t make mistakes, and we did.”
Every senior on the Downingtown West team played crucial roles and will leave a significant void in terms of production and leadership.
Henicle (Old Dominion commit), boasting over 2,000 passing yards this season, concludes his career with an impressive 3,859 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, accompanied by just 10 interceptions.
Kucera contributed 87 receptions for 1,752 yards and 18 touchdowns, while Hangey (SJU Lax commit) finished with 68 receptions for 1,446 yards and 16 scores. Alex showcased his prowess by running for 370 of his 875 yards this season during the playoffs.
There is nothing but love and pride for this team, they fought until the clock hit zero. Coach Milano reflected on the season, stating, “You have young kids who have been through it now, got underclassmen who see what it takes, they see the work ethic of my senior class, how motivated they were to accomplish their goals.”
Closing the season with an 11-3 record marks the seventh occasion West has achieved double-digit wins in a season. The roster’s abundance of talent will see numerous Whippets continuing their pursuits in football or other sports in college next year. Despite the tough loss, the deep bond forged over years of playing together and solidified by a remarkable playoff run will transform the bitterness into cherished memories for decades to come.
Central Bucks South running back Anthony Leonardi is forced out of bounds by Downingtown West defensive back Jordan Barry. (Photo courtesy of: Aol.com)
