Downingtown West escapes with a 32-27 win over Lincoln

Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News

Anthony Franklin | August 26, 2023

On a humid and sunny day at the BareBowl Abraham Lincoln a favorite to win the D12 6A title hosted D1 power Downingtown West to open the season. Both teams came into the game with great energy and passion. Starting out West would receive the kickoff and drive the ball into the red zone thanks to a beautiful jugular catch by senior WR Dean Hangey along with a couple offside calls on the Lincoln defensive line. The Lincoln defense would tighten up and stop them from scoring. Unfortunately Lincoln would fail to generate any offense and a poor snap resulted in the ball sailing out of the end zone giving West an early 2-0 lead. The first quarter seemed to be all in West favor from that moment as they utilized short fields and capitalized on Lincoln jumping offsides to grow the lead to 23-0 by early 2nd quarter. Until 6 minutes in the 2nd quarter Lincoln failed to register a first down due to numerous false starts and negative rushing plays along with a sack. Senior QB Gabe Smalley had to be mobile to escape West defenders to avoid sacks early on but was able to lock in and find his guys deep down field late in the 2nd quarter where Lincoln would score 20 unanswered points including a 70 yard pick 6 to go into the half down just 23-20.

The 3rd quarter would see West regain their swag and score to stretch the lead to 30-20 before Smalley found his receiver for a 55 yard score to cut the lead to 30-27 before late in the 3rd quarter. Unfortunately on the RailSplitters next series they’d have trouble holding onto the ball and gave up another safety to the stifling West defense and the score would uphold for a final of 32-27 in favor of West. Highly impressive was the route running and hands of West Sr Wr Dean Hangey. Also impressive and displayed great touch was senior QB Quinn Henicle. Sr OT Ryan Howard was dominant in blocking Lincoln edge rushers. For the Rail Splitters Sr LB Andre Gordon was very instinctive and Jr DB Ziyyon Bredell was a ball hawk and showed lock down corner skills including his great pick 6 late in the 2nd quarter. Smalley found success utilizing his 2 WRs Sr Nathanel Rivera and Sr Rolling Davis downfield.

Up next for Lincoln is a date with Philly Catholic League member Roman Catholic next Friday while West will host Perkiomen Valley next Friday night.

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