Rustin Routs East in Battle of West Chester

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

Willie McGonigle | October 18, 2025

WEST GOSHEN: Every year, when West Chester Rustin Golden Knights get together for the first time in a season and discuss their goals for the upcoming season, there are always two goals that remain the same: Win West Chester and Win the Division title. On Friday night, the Golden Knights took the first step in accomplishing the first two goals with a dominating 38-0 victory on the road at Harold Zimmerman Stadium over crosstown rivals West Chester East. With the victory, the Golden Knights clinched at least a share of the Chest-Mont Central Division, and they can win it outright next week when they take on their other crosstown rivals, West Chester Henderson.

“Our goal is to always win West Chester,” Colin Baldesari said, talking about one of the goals that he and his teammates set. Adding “I think we all wanted that win.

Yes, the Golden Knights’ run game was its usual dominating self-picking up 306 yards, but it was their defense that shone the brightest Friday. The Golden Knight defense held the Vikings offense, which entered play on Friday, averaging 306.3 yards per game, to 197. And limited the potent Vikings pass game to 78 yards total.

“We’ve played against passing teams, we play against running teams, and these guys play both the run and the pass equally well,” said Golden Knights coach Mike St. Clair. “They’re very athletic, they’re strong, and they’re fast. We got speed over size and sometimes, speed wins.”

Right from the start, the Golden Knights set the tone for the game, forcing the Vikings to a three-and-out on the game’s opening possession. On their third play of the Will Garner busted through the Vikings’ defense for a 46-yard pick up that put the ball on the Vikings’ 7. Two plays, Baldesari took it in from 2 yards out, and the Golden Knights led 7-0.

On the ensuing Vikings drive, the Golden Knights got in on the scoring when Baldesari scooped up a fumble by Chase Szollose and raced down the Rustin sideline for a 38-yard touchdown. The Vikings managed to get their first of three PAT Blocks, making it 13-0.

“I believe Tim Huynh hit him, and the ball was right there. It was a great defensive play by our D-line. I just picked the ball up and ran it to the end zone. Baldesari said of the play.

After their defense forced a Viking punt, the Golden Knights took over and marched 70 yards, with Garner capping the drive with an 11-yard touchdown.

The Vikings offense showed signs of life on their next drive, using 12 plays to reach the Golden Knights’ 34 before Logan Cummings scrambled for a five-yard gain, but it wasn’t enough for the Vikings to pick up a first down, and the Golden Knights took over with a turnover on downs.

The Golden Knights decided to show that they can also throw the ball, with Max Blaine connecting with Baldesari for a 13-yard pass, followed bya  15-yard run by Jimmy Boland, all before Garner found the endzone for the second time in the game, this time from 17 yards out.

The Golden Knights extended their lead to 32-0 before the half when Blaine managed to find Max Learn in between two defenders for a 20-yard touchdown.

After the Vikings failed onside kick attempt to start the second half, the Golden Knights were given prime field position, and they took advantage of it after Blaine and Learn struck again for 44 44-yard pick up that put the ball on the Viking 3. Garner capped the scoring with his third touchdown of the day. Garner, who, after graduating from Rustin, is headed to the Air Force, finished the game with 144 yards on 12 carries.

In his postgame remarks, Garner gave all the credit to his line, saying, “I came out really fired up, but I really give it to my linemen, my linemen do a great job giving me a hole to go through. I think they are the best linemen in the league.”

Both the Golden Knights and Vikings are firmly planted in the District 1 5A Playoffs, which begin on October 31, but first things the Golden Knights (7-2) will host their other crosstown rival, West Chester Henderson, while the Vikings (6-3) will finish the regular season with a trip to Great Valley. Both games will kick off at 7 pm.

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