East Defensive MVP – Mark Kaminskis, Conestoga

West Offensive MVP – Dae-Hon Cheung, Coatesville

West Defensive MVP – Dillan Martin, Downingtown East

            Henderson’s Kyle Morton spotted the East a 3-0 lead on its first series with a 20-yard field goal.

            Then, the roof caved in. And quickly. Coatesville’s Marquis Weathington intercepted a pass by Rustin’s Mike DeLancy and cruised 25 yards for a touchdown at the 2:01 mark of the first quarter. DeLancy’s evening didn’t get any better on the next series when his fumble was pounced upon by Coatesville’s Ryan Valentino at the East 30. Three plays later, Egolf tossed a five-yard play action pass to Avon Grove’s Toby Fiala for a touchdown. Just over three minutes later, another West TD pass made it 21-3.

            DeLancy rallied with a 53-yard touchdown pass to West Chester East’s Pat Whalen with 3:53 to go in the half.

            The momentum switch was flicked on the second play of the third quarter. Rustin’s Marcus Maniqualt recovered Coatesville’s Dae-Hon Cheung’s fumble at the West 7. Next play, Rustin’s Connor Burke plowed over left guard for the score.

            Next possession, the East covered 75 yards in 16 plays, as Rustin’s Cordario Taylor swept left end from nine yards out on the last play of the third quarter. Morton’s extra point gave the East the lead it had not held since Morton’s field goal.

            The East was driving again until a bad handoff was recovered by Downingtown East’s Dillan Martin at the West 20

 In the second half, the East defense held the West to just 47 total yards.

The Valor Bowl is an all-star game showcasing the best senior football players from Avon Grove, Coatesville, Conestoga, Downingtown East, Downingtown West, W.C. East, Great Valley, W.C. Henderson, Malvern Prep, Owen J. Roberts, W.C. Rustin, Kennett, Oxford, Octorara, Bishop Shanahan, and Unionville High Schools. Over the last twelve years the Valor Bowl has raised over $400,000 for Special Olympics and our goal this year is to raise an additional $40,000! This year’s game promises to be another exciting and memorable evening.

The winning touchdown came when Great Valley quarterback Drew Hausladen (East Offensive MVP) hooked up with Conestoga’s Dexter Bridge for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 4:42 remaining in the game. Great Valley’s Richie Eppleman’s extra point turned out to be the margin of victory. There was, however, still left plenty of time for the West to mount a comeback. It did. And, those last several minutes will go down in Valor Bowl history as being some of the craziest.
With fourth-and-six from the East six yard line, Downingtown East quarterback Trey Lauletta misfired on a pass to Downingtown West’s Louis Smith in the endzone. The East, thinking it only had to run out the clock for the win, became sloppy and fumbled the ball at its own 11. Lauletta’s 11-yard run with 23 seconds remaining to be played made the score 21-20.

Initially, West coach Mike Matta of Downingtown East was going to attempt the extra point kick and go for the tie. But after East coach Joe Walsh of Henderson countered with a timeout, Matta decided on a two-point attempt for the win. Lauletta’s pass was intercepted. The East thought it could finally relax and enjoy the win.

Those hopes were dashed when the West recovered the onsides kick with 17 seconds to go. The victory was sealed only when Owen J. Roberts’ Jake Manfredi intercepted Lauletta’s last-ditch pass attempt.

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