Believe and Achieve Foundation’s Valor Bowl Game; A Night for Believers, Best Buddies and All Stars

Tagged under: All-Stars, District 1, News

Marcus Sic | May 26, 2022

For 22 years the Believe and Achieve Chester County Valor Bowl has undergone many changes and evolved from its humble beginnings, but one thing has always remained constant, the most meaningful component of the evening is when the players are introduced taking the field with their Best Buddies and Believers, hand-in-hand. Wednesday night the players got a chance to meet their Best Buddies and Believers at the All-Abilities Pregame Pep Rally, spending a couple hours with them, going through drills, practicing their touchdown dances and ending the night with a Conga Line that stretched the length of the field. “It is great to see all of the kids interacting, with all of the terrible things going on, this is something to remember” commented Coatesville Head Coach Matt Ortega. “This is awesome to see,” said Conestoga Head Coach Matt Diamond, this is the first time Diamond has coached the Valor Bowl, “The kids are great, working with each other and rallying the community.”

This year the squads were once again divided by Eastern and Western Chester County, to honor Joe Carrol and Scott Allison the founders of the Valor Bowl the East is now known as Team Carrol, coached by Diamond and the West Team Allison, coached by Ortega. Following a Team Carrol punt, Team Allison QB Bishop Shanahan’s Cooper Jordan scampered 24 yards into the endzone for the games first score, Coatesville’s Nolan O’Hara added the extra point putting Team Allison up 7-0. Jordan who is heading to West Chester University in the fall was named the inaugural James “Chunky” Klunk Believe and Achieve Valor Bowl MVP. Both defenses took over the game for the next several possessions, Team Allison’ Josh Reuter, from Avon Grove, was relentless causing havoc all over the field. Reuter would end up capturing the Team Allison Defensive MVP for the game. Team Carrol’s defense also was attacking playing downhill, Rustin’s Anthony Meadows and Conestoga’s Christian Lariviere were tormenting the Team Allison offense, Lariviere made an incredible diving interception to end one drive. Lariviere would be named Team Carrol’s Defensive MVP.

Team Allison would add to their lead when Cooper Jordan hit Coatesville’s Tommy Ortega with a 45 yard bomb making the score 13-7. With time running out in the half Team Carrol’s Andy Tolane, from Great Valley, finally got the offense going and put Team Carrol on the scoreboard with a pinpoint pass to Rustin’s Matt Lighthill for a 17 yard score, Unionville’s Brian Dym booted the extra point, making the score 13-7 as the teams went into halftime. Tolane would be named Team Carrol Offensive MVP.

At halftime, a player from each squad was given an award for best exemplifying the character and spirit of the Believe and Achieve Valor Bowl. The awards are named in honor of two previous Valor Bowl players who have passed away. The first award is named after Kyle Renehan, Kyle played in the 2001 Valor Bowl representing Oxford HS, after graduating Kyle joined the United States Marine Corps one week before our country was attacked on 9/11. Just 3 years after playing in the Valor Bowl in 2004, Kyle was deployed to Camp Kalsu in Iraq, on November 29^th Kyle was wounded in a mortar attack, he succumbed to his injuries on December 9, 2004. Kyle gave his life for his fellow Marines and for the Country he loved; Jaedon Waterman is this year’s Kyle Joseph Renehan Award recipient. The second award is names after Samuel Morgan from O.J. Roberts HS. Sam was a standout football player playing offense, defense and special team. Sam also excelled in the classroom and in the community, sadly Sam’s life was cut short; Unionville’s Danny Dunphy is this year’s Samuel Morgan award winner. Halftime conclude with the Believers and Best Buddies taking the field, showing off their football skills.

The theme of the second half was ball control, each team only had 2 possessions in the half, with Team Allison scoring on both drives. The first drive was finished with a circus like one handed catch in the endzone by Team Allison Offensive MVP Tommy Ortega, from Cooper Jordan. The final score came on a bruising run by Downingtown West’s Will Mahmud from 2 yards out. Making Team Allison 27-7 winner.

Having the Valor Bowl players and coaches spend two nights with the Believers and Best Buddies, in front of a large crowd at Downingtown’s Kottmeyer stadium produced the big winners of the Valor Bowl. Meghan Funderburg, Downingtown East’s Best Buddies Co-Advisor, said it best, “Watching the interaction all of these kids is just amazing.”

For a full gallery, which will be updated in the next few days, go to https://kimsupkophotography.smugmug.com/Sports-Photography/Valor-Bowl-05262022