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West Chester Rustin Bounces Back With a Win Against Chichester

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

| September 24, 2022

BOOTHWYN PA – It was a solid 60 degrees, and the wind let itself be known every time it swept through. For Chichester, it was their senior night. Both coming off losses West Chester Rustin (Rustin) and Chichester met up on Chi’s home turf. In the three times these teams have met before, Rustin is 3-0 against Chichester. Rustin in those matchups also outscored Chichester, 117-6. Rustin coming off of what the majority call an upset to Kennet looked to put that loss behind them. Chichester was looking to fix their 1-3 record coming into the game. To no avail, Rustin ended all hopes of that possibility, beating Chichester 28-7.

The captains met centerfield as the hungriness of both teams kicked in. With the flick of the referee’s thumb, the coin spiraled into the air. Rustin won the toss and elected to defer. With the coats on and the long sleeves showing. It is once again time for Friday Night Lights!

For the first time this season, Chichester’s offense was led onto the field by Quadir Blackwell, who would go on to play almost the whole game under center. Even with the change, Chichester punted away after a short possession. Rustin took over, the ball on their own 30. Rustin’s RB, Ryan Loper, made himself a huge run for about 18 yards on third down which would be a highlight for his tape. A lethal duo of QB David McClain to WR Jake Crispino would allowed them to connect for a 26-yard pass to set them up on Chichester’s goal line. In trotted RB Damion Jacobs to clean up shop, he took it across the goal-line for a Rustin TD. With a made PAT. Rustin went up 7-0. With 3:20 left in the first quarter Chichester’s Quadir Blackwell showed why he is an All-Delco athlete, he took the snap and tucks the ball. His legs churning, and a moment’s notice, he took the ball from their own 40 to their opponet’s 30. A holding call would ultimately end up killing all chances Chichester had at scoring on the drive. First quarter ends with a score of 7-0 Rustin.

 

Throughout the second, both teams entered a stalemate. The football would go on to work its way back and forth midfield, but a red zone was out of the picture for that football’s destination. What was shown and made known was that Damion Jacobs would not let anyone forget who he was. If it was a run for a good chunk of yardage, best believe the ball was in the hands of Jacobs. Chichester’s defense faired well against the run game for the time being. It was an issue for them last week against Academy Park, tonight it showed it was something they worked on. Identifying which way the o-line and blockers pulled was something Chichester honed in on, the team just struggled to bring down the physical Damion Jacobs of Rustin. With four seconds left in the half, Rustin’s Griffin Strunk took his strides and let a 40-yard field goal fly from 40 yards out. Unfortunately for Griffin, his FG goal try fell just short as it curved out and missed right. As the siren sounded, half-time fell upon the two teams. Rustin still had the lead with their lonely score on the board, 7-0 Rustin at the half.

With extended halftime of 25 minutes, players were antsy trying to get back to action. Both school’s marching bands played their halftime shows, and as they wrapped, the game swiftly got back into action. Rustin deferred, so the ball was theirs to receive. As seen in the first half, the run game was crucial to both teams in the second half as well. Rustin in possession of the football, found themselves in punt formation on fourth down. As the ball soared back into the hands of the punter, the ball stayed on the ground. Chichester blew up the fake punt and forced a turnover on downs. Unable to capitalize on that turnover on downs, Chichester is then forced to punt. Rustin’s Damion Jacobs was tired of no action just like the fans. He unleashed his powers by using his legs to march his team downfield. As pads connected, Damion Jacobs stood standing. Eventually taking his Rustin team down to their opponents 1yd line. A familiar siren sounds out to mark the end of the third quarter. Rustin still holds their 7-0 lead.

In goal-line formation to start the fourth, Rustin’s Nate Pechin would glide across the goal-line for an easy score putting Rustin up 14-0 after a good PAT. Quadir Blackwell took no breaks and played both sides of the ball at QB/WR/S/RB. He trotted back onto the field, now down two possessions. Possessing what could be the best arm strength on the field, Blackwell zipped a deep pass in the hope to convert the first down. Sweat dripping, body moving, in comes Rustin’s Jake Crispino for a interception. That would be the first event of a series of events, that would push Chichester to another loss. After Rustin moved downfield, up steps Nate Perchin to take a 7yd rush for a TD. PAT was good. Rustin stretched their lead to 21-0 with 8:33 left in the fourth. Rustin forced a fumble recovery on their kickoff. Unable to use that recovery to their advantage they punted.

Four minutes remained in the game, and Chichester now sends in Dan Kelly to play under center. With one of his best drives of the season, he found Quadir Blackwell on two-lengthy passes. It began with a 20-yard pass that Kelly dropped in right over Blackwell’s shoulder. Two plays later, he loaded up to Blackwell, who this time was on the opposite side of the field wide open, he caught it, and walked it into the endzone. Chichester closed the gap, but it is still a two-possession game with three minutes left, Rustin is up 21-7.

After that Chichester offensive drive, Chichester’s defense began to put in their subs. Rustin took advantage of that and put a stamp on the game with a 46-yard TD pass to make the game 28-7. Following the score, the game clock quickly winded down, and the game was over. Rustin won 28-7.

Chichester showed true potential out of the gate as they faced up against Rustin, who just last year found themselves in the District 1 5A Championship. Even with Chichester’s grit, it was not enough for the Rustin team. Rustin improved to 3-1 on the season and will host the undefeated Coatesville Red Raiders next Friday night. Chichester will head on the road for the first time this season to face the 2-3 Unionville Indians.

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