Downingtown West’s Remarkable Season Ends with Loss to St Joes Prep in 6A Semi-Final
Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs
Willie McGonigle | November 30, 2024
COATESVILLE: When you have been around a program like Downingtown West for as long as Tom Kline has, you begin to develop a relationship with the players and the community. Kline has been around the Whippet program since 2015, serving as an assistant coach under the only head coach Downingtown West High School has ever known, Mike Milano. In January, Milano retired as head coach of the Whippets.
There was one man that the players expected to be named Milano’s successor and in March it came to fruition with Kline being named head coach.
“We all knew as soon as Milano retired who was going to get that job at least expected it.” Sr LB Andrew Brown said of the opening. Brown went on to say about Coach Kline “That man works harder than anybody I know and he loves us boys and that’s why we are here because we all brought in and he promised us that if we brought in we would be here and he did” The here Brown was referring to was the PIAA 6A State Semi-Final in which the Whippets knew they would have tough task in facing the juggernaut that is St Joseph Prep and on this frigid Friday night the Whippets battled and gave everything they could but came up on the wrong side of a 36-7 score.
The Whippets season ended, but for Kline and the Whippets, it was an amazing season in which they went 13-2 and claimed their second District 1 championship since 2019.
“It’s been a great year it’s been awesome, these kids work so hard, sending them the message about buying in and working hard and seeing where it leads us, and look where we are.” Kline said adding “That’s the best part about it, this has been a great year just to see this happen for these kids it’s not about me at all but seeing what these kids accomplished.”
Kline went to express his love for his players saying, “I love these kids they are my second family I love these guys.”
The Whippets found themselves in an early hole just 1:09 into the game Charlie Foulke connected with Jamir Rowe on a jet pass from 44 yards out putting the Hawks up 7-0 early in the first quarter. After picking up a first down on their opening possession before having to punt the Whippets’ defense did its job on the second possession of the game limiting the Hawks to a field goal putting them 10-0 after one quarter of play.
Khy Billups extended the Hawks to 17-0 in the second quarter with his one-yard touchdown run. On their next defensive possession, the Whippets defense forced the Hawks to punt however their returned muffed the punt giving the Hawks new life at the Whippets 27 but the West defense held forcing the Hawks to attempt a 40-yard field goal which was no good. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Cole Bricker couldn’t handle the snap and the Hawks took over at the Whippet 17-yard line. Five plays later Billups was in the endzone a second time giving the Hawks a 24-0 lead. Foulke connected with Rameir Hardy for a 7-yard touchdown to enable the Hawks to extend their lead to 30-0 at the half.
On the opening possession of the second half, the Hawks defense forced a turnover on downs at the Whippet 29-yard line and their offense took advantage of the short field given to them with Foulke connecting with Jett Harrison to put the Hawks 36-0.
On the final play of the third quarter, the Whippets offense got on the board with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Bricker to Darian Smith.
With the victory the Hawks advance to their ninth straight State Championship game while Kline and his Whippets will enjoy their incredible season for the night before setting their sights on the 2025 season with plenty of talent returning 2025 should be another remarkable year for the Whippets
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