2011 Freshman Game Reports

Week 6 vs Reading

Reported by Darrin Risser

Our Cougar Freshman were greeted this past blustery Thursday afternoon in an out-of-conference match-up with the Red Knights of Reading. The Cougars were clearly prepared and emerged from the locker room ready to show the Knights what Downingtown football was all about. To say the Knights were in for a tough afternoon is a bit like saying the Colts "kind of" miss Sundays without Peyton Manning. Uh, yea!..it was a very tough afternoon for this Berks County squad as they headed back out the turnpike 36-0 losers.

The Cougars scored early and often. The Knights, due to punishing defense as well as their own mistakes and miscues, time and time again turned the ball over to the Cougars on a shortened field. Fumbles, bothched punt snaps and penalties…with…as previously mentioned, punishing defensive play…led to 21 first half Cougar points. Kevin DiStefano and Keith Connor got the first two scores of the afternoon on short, ground bursts. The Cougar offensive line was successful in creating wide running lanes and these two hard-hitting backs took full advantage as the Cougars got yardage in large chunks on the ground. Meanwhile, the Cougar defense made this game an uphill battle for the Knights all day. Keith Connor took it in again deep into the second quarter and the lead was 21 by halftime.

The Cougars kicked off to get the second half underway and after slamming the door shut on the Knight offense once again were rolling. On second and 15 from the Knight 15, Michael Risser connected in the endzone with Jake Peden. The two-point conversion was good and the Cougars were up 29-0.

It was the fourth quarter until the Cougars would put the final points of the afternoon on the board as Cody Ambrogi, from H back, swept around left end. Solid Adam Behrndt's kick was again good.

So sure, this was a good time, solid, 36-0, Berks County beatdown…but this game should be in everyone's rear view mirror as the final two weeks bring meetings with Coatesville and Downingtown West in what will surely be two strong tests. Please come out…as this season gets wrapped up on brisk, fall Thursday afternoons…and help support these committed, hard-working young men as they strive to finish their season on positive notes.

Week 4 vs Bishop Shanahan

Reported by Darrin Risser

Well, the scouting reports were in and all of the expectations were for the Eagles of Shanahan to light up the afternoon skies and cause serious problems for the Cougar secondary. What a difference a week makes however, as our Cougars showed up shining in all facets of the game, gaining very significant contributions from the offense, defense as well as special teams as they defeated the Eagles 24-14 upon the lush, natural turf of Jack Mancini Field.

DEHS kicked off to begin the game and from the onset, it seemed, well…surprising. The Eagles had managed to get into field goal range as a partially blocked attempt landing in the field of play was returned by Will Umberger 90 yards for the first points of the day, a mere minutes into the game. The ensuing point after kick attempt by #16, Adam Behrndt sailed just wide. 6-0 Cougars.

After a very effective kick off and coverage, Shanahan took over at their own 27. After several unsuccessful attempts to move the ball and a wonderful Keith Connor QB sack, Adam Behrndt again comes up big recovering a BSHS fumble on the Eagle 43.

The offense was obviously itching to get moving as they marched methodically down the field behind very strong running by Kevin DiStefano and Keith Connor and hard blocking by Billy McGinley, Connor Warner among others. The Cougars scored as Kevin DiStefano took it in behind Tyler Buban as the 1st quarter came to an end. 12-0 Cougars.

After the defense successfully holds again, the Cougars go back on offense and again pound it right at the Eagles. This drive highlighted by strong, driving blocking for Rafik Butler and a glistening 38 yard rumble down to the Eagle 2 by Keith Connor. Kevin D takes it in again and the Cougars led this one 18-0 and it was not even yet halftime!

There was no further scoring in the first half but we saw very good, very stingey defensive play throughout the last 5 or 6 minutes of the first half. Specifically, three huge sacks on the Eagle QB as he strived to narrow the gap by halftime. Keith Connor, Fred Mason and Adam Behrndt were punishing as they shut the door down after down. The "d" was successful as the first half ended 18-0 Cougars.

Early in the 3rd, the Eagles did find the endzone on a very well executed QB sweep. The kick was good and the lead was 18-7 and it was not until 2:30 remaining in the game that the Cougars answered back as Kevin took it in again on a 3 yard plunge. 24-7 Cougars.!

However, on the very first play from scrimmage on the ensuing Eagle drive from the 49 yard line, the Eagles take it in on a gut wrenching 50 yard run. The kick is again good and the score is 24-14…as everyone takes a peek at the clock…tick, tick, tick. The stress increased as the Eagles execute a successful on side kick and again go on offense at the Cougar 41. Everyone sneaks anotherpeek to the clock. Man, there couldn't be enough time for them to get back into it…is there? The Eagles, running short on time outs, take to the sky. But not today…this was the Cougar's day as pass attempt after attempt fell harmlessly to the turf. Several good plays were made by Mike Risser and Kevin DiStefano at the corners as there was simply noone to throw to.

The Cougars took several kneel downs and this one was over 24-14.

There are still plenty of opportunities to come out and cheer on the Cougars this season as the remaining four scheduled games are at home. This Thursday, they face Kennett at Cougar High at 3:30 in which will surely prove to be another fun afternoon. Thanks!

Week 3 vs Rustin

Reported by Darrin Risser

A game of inches…you betcha…as our Cougar Freshman took the field a bit late this past week as thunder and lightning prevented this game from getting underway on Wednesday afternoon as originally planned. However the Knights of Rustin returned to the soggy tundra of Downingtown East this past Friday and the Cougars came up just a whisker short as time expired.

The Cougar defense was again impressive as they made advancing the ball difficult for the knights all day. We had our normal, hard yards gained by Kevin DiStefano behind a hard-pushing offensive line. Nice offensive contributions were made by Keith Connor and Rafik Butler.

Late in the first half however the Knights struck first exploiting blown coverage and connecting on a huge pass play to the DEHS 10. And, on 4th and goal from the one gained the lead on a QB sneak. The kick was good. So despite some monster defensive plays by Connor Warner and Matt Young, the Knights led this one 7-0.

However, on the ensuing Cougar possession, Rafik Butler leaped to reel in a short out pass and galloped 63 yards down the oppposition's sideline for the first Cougar points of the afternoon. The 2 point conversion was good and the Cougars led 8-7.

The Cougars would have one more chance to add to their lead before the half would expire but would come up empty despite great field position and awesome running by Kevin and #45 Tyler Buban. This however, would turn out to be all the points the Cougars could muster. However at 8-7 the Cougars and their fans were feeling confident the team could hold back the Knights and close this one out.

As the second half got underway, the Cougars began to get a bit sloppy. Their first possession of the half was marred by 2 penalties and a dropped certain first down pass. There was no further scoring in the 3rd and the Cougars began from their own 12. Lucky to escape a turnover, the Cougars punted to the Knights who took over on their 48. Although the defense would show signs of strength and a huge stop from Caleb Fell, the Knights kept advancing the ball and on 2nd down from the DE 1, took it in again to regain the lead. The 2 point conversion was no good however and the Rustin lead was 13-8.

As the 4th quarter wound down with the Cougars driving…Rafik to the 38, Keith to the 29…assisted by a roughing penalty…one got the feeling this would be a last second score and the Cougars would wrap it up. However…painfully, the Cougars come up just inches short…in Glen Mills fashion…running the play just inserted the week before as time in the game expired…losing to the Knights 13-8.

The Cougars will surely bounce back strong from this character-building loss as they travel down the road to tackle Bishop Shanahan this coming Thursday afternoon at 3:30.

Please come and support our boys.

Week 2 vs Henderson

Reported by Darrin Risser

Our Cougars continued their 2011 season as they traveled to beautiful Oscar J. Dicks Stadium on the campus of West Chester Henderson to take on the WC Henderson Warriors this past Thursday afternoon.

The Cougar D was tough and stingy again today as they set the tone early. #68 Jason Gibson had two gigantic sacks forcing an early three and out for the Warriors.

The Cougars took possession hoping to move the ball effectively and stop the turnovers that had plagued them a week earlier. Hold onto the ball they did…but the Warrior d also came to play this afternoon. Despite nice, low, driving blocks and strong gains from tailback Kevin DiStefano, the Cougars had too many penalties and dropped or incomplete pass attempts on their first three possessions and essentially just traded possessions and field position with the Warriors throughout the first quarter.

So, with essentially no yards on offense through one quarter, the Warriors got on the board first with a massive 60 yard TD strike. The point after kick was no good. After one big play, an excessive celebration penalty and the missed kick, the Cougars took over from midfield as the 2nd quarter got underway trailing 6-0

The Cougars were again unable to sustain this drive against the tough Warrior d but got the ball back after the Downingtown defense got several big plays from Corner, Kevin DiStefano and #71 Caleb Fell.

The Cougars began at their own 27 and drove the ball all the way to the WC 15. With 1st and 10 and slightly over a minute remaining the Cougars needed to even it up but again shot themselves in the foot with penalties, a dropped Risser pass and a letdown in blocking. The Cougars went to the halftime locker room trailing 6-0.

The first possession of the 2nd half was again tainted with penalties and drops resulting in the two teams trading possessions and field position as both defenses were strong. Until the final moments of the third when WC struck again with an 8 yard run, finally penetrating between the tackles after previously executing several nice pass receptions. The ensuing 2 point conversion was good and the lead was 14-0.

The Cougars finally got on the board after Ambrogi floated the ball to an all alone Jake Peden who appeared to score…Nonetheless, the Cougars pushed it across on the next play from scrimmage, were successful on the two point conversion and trimmed the lead to 14-8.

Late in the fourth quarter was highlighted by the second of two drive sustaining, first down runs from an emerging threat, # 23 Keith Conner. His hard first down run kept the Cougars alive late but despite the push, Downingtown turned the ball over on downs. Big D from #68 Jason Gibson helped make it tough but WC scored late as time expired.

Officially, this one was 20-8. The turnovers that tormented this team 7 days earlier were corrected but a new problem emerged in the form of penalties…nearly 15 to be sure. As well as all three QB's being stung by too many dropped passes. The Cougars will undoubtedly handle this issue as well as they continue to gel more as a team and the Coaches give more and more responsibility, expand roles and gain greater knowledge of our boys as they find out who is capable of doing what over the upcoming weeks. Please join in support as they now prepare for another West Chester threat, West Chester Rustin at home on a rare Wednesday game day! See everyone Wed at 3:30 at home.

Week 1 vs Great Valley

Reported by Darrin Risser

It was a brisk, late fall afternoon this past Friday as our 2011 Freshman Cougars got their season underway after a weather postponement from a day earlier. They would face their rivals from right down 401, the Patriots from Great Valley.

The Cougars received the opening kickoff and the offense showed promise behind very good offensive line play and hard, punishing running from the backs. DEHS drove the ball all the way down to the Patriot 35 but turned the ball over to GV after losing a fumble…something that would turn out to be a way to frequent occurrence this afternoon.

The Cougar defense however, was strong today…all afternoon actually as they bent but would not break. The Patriots drove the ball to the Cougar 12 but the defense held. On the ensuing possession however, the offense again fumbled the ball away as the first quarter came to a close.

The ensuing Patriot possession as the 2nd quarter got underway would prove profitable. They drove the ball down to the Cougar 19 and after several very strong defensive plays, would finally got it across after a successful sweep. The two-point conversion was good and with 2:55 remaining in the first half the Patriots led 8-0.

After receiving the GV kick, the Cougars went on the move advancing the ball deep into Patriot territory and after a defensive penalty had an opportunity to punch it in from their 2. However, the Cougars again coughed it up and were not able to get the equalizer before the first half ended.

The Cougars came out strong early in the 2nd half. They kicked off to the Patriots but the kickoff team pulled off a brilliantly executed on-side kick giving our offense possession at the GV 42. The Cougars wasted no time as they immediately cashed in after a pass down the far sideline went the distance. The two-point conversion was no good but the Cougars were finally on the board…8-6.

The defense again performed extremely well shedding blocks and sure tackling. But after forcing yet another GV punt, the Cougar offense turned it over again after throwing an interception at the Patriot 44 yard line. The Patriot offense again could do nothing of substance against a very stingy Cougar defense. The DEHS punt return unit came up huge after blocking a punt…one of two on the afternoon…giving the offense a shortened field beginning at their own 40. After hard, hard running behind nice blocking, the 4th quarter began with 1st and goal from the Patriot 4 but after another Cougar fumble, it seemed as if the go ahead TD may not actually happen this afternoon.

However, the Cougar D again held strong and the offense had another shot from their 47.

The offensive line and FB opened up a big hole on the right side and the Cougars broke a long run to take the lead for the first time of the afternoon. The 2 pointer was good this time around and the Cougar lead was 14-8.

The final Patriot possession was stopped cold as the tough Cougar defense slammed the door shut once again. This last possession was highlighted by two big, defensive QB sacks driving the patriots all the way back to their own 35 yard line. The Patriot's feeble, final pass attempt fell harmlessly to the ground as the clock read all zeros. In spite of the turnovers, an ailment sure to be addressed and corrected by our Coaches, our Cougars were able to hold on and defeat the Patriots 14-8 and get their first win under their belts.

Please join in support of our Boys as they now prepare for their next matchup with WC Henderson next Thursday afternoon at 3:30.