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The Icebox Kicks Downingtown West to Victory over Perkiomen Valley in a Thriller

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

| September 18, 2026

DOWNINGTOWN: Every kicker, no matter the level, has the dream of one day kicking a field goal at the buzzer that wins their team a game.  Keagan Charvet had that dream come true Thursday, booting a 45-yard field goal at the buzzer, giving his Downingtown West Whippets the dramatic 24-21 victory over visiting Perkiomen Valley Vikings. The Vikings rallied from 14 down in the fourth quarter to tie the game, setting the stage for Charvet.

“That’s one of the best feelings of my life.” Charvet, or as he’s affectionately called by his teammates and coaches, “The Ice Box” said adding, “I think this is every kicker’s dream to hit a walk-off game winner.”

When asked to explain the nickname, Charvet smiled, chuckled, and said, “Our kicker last year did a celebration, and they called him the iceman. I’m significantly bigger than him, so I am the Icebox.”

What makes Charvet’s story even better is that this season is that this only his second season of playing football after playing soccer for eight seasons. When asked why he switched to football, Charvet said, “I feel a lot more loved here. The community here on this team is amazing. We’re together; we are brothers. I feel like I just walked in and they accepted me and let me do my thing.”

Even with his kicker’s lack of experience, the Whippets ‘ head coach Tom Kline has total trust and faith in Charvet, saying, “I trust that kicker with everything. I told him, I looked at him in the eye, and if we get in the range, I’m going to go with you. I trust him,” Kline added. “He’s a kid that just came out last year and wanted to kick; that’s who he is. He just wanted to do that. He learned and worked at it and worked at it. He’s got a great attitude. I absolutely just love that kid cause of how hard he works. And I told him Trust him.”

Charvet feels the same way about Kline, saying, “I owe Coach Kline everything. He puts me in these situations. He never has any doubt in me he tells me every week, no matter what.” Charvet also added, “I missed my first kick this year; he said he trusts me no matter what, and I think I’ve proven his faith in me.”

The Vikings came out of the gate looking like a team that was ready for a war, quickly shutting down the Whippets and forcing a three-and-out on the game’s opening drive. The Vikings’ first offensive drive saw them march almost at will 89 yards on 13 plays, with Jimmy Gambone capping the drive with his 6-yard touchdown run.

The Whippets responded on their next drive, going 64 yards on eight plays before Devin Manning connected with Brendon Goode Kimble for an 11-yard touchdown, tying the game up at 7 with 24 seconds left in the first quarter.

The ensuing Vikings drive showed promise has they drove to the Whippets 28 before a holding penalty derailed the drive resulting in them having to punt.

After a beautiful punt pinned them at their own 8 the Whippets offense marched 92 yards on 13 plays with Manning using his legs to give them the lead with his 18-yard touchdown.

After a three-and-out by the Whippets’ defense, they appeared to have another chance to tack on to their lead before halftime but Fenix Moyer intercepted Manning, and the Vikings decided to kneel down and head to the locker room trailing 14-7.

On their first possession of the second half, the Whippets added on to their lead with a 6-play, 90-yard drive that was capped by Marcus McComsey’s 59-yard touchdown run making it 21-7 Whippets after three quarters and setting the stage for an incredible 4th quarter.

The Viking come back started after a Whippet punt pinned them at their own 1.

But the Vikings responded with a 12 play 99 yard that was capped with Aiden Messatzzia connecting with Wyatt Merschbach on a fourth and 14 for a 24-yard touchdown.

The Vikings defense quickly forced the Whippets offense to a three-and-out. With 6:57 left, the Vikings trailed by 7 and had 45 yards to go for the tying score. No problem. Using over 6 minutes of game clock, the Vikings drive used 10 plays before Gambone powered his way into the end zone from 5 yards out. Nick Pellerito nailed the extra point, and suddenly we were tied at 21 with 45 seconds remaining.

“It’s a tradition; they are well coached, and they are always a really good football team no matter what record  is, and I knew it was going to be this.” Kline said when asked about the Vikings adding, “They are great kids, well coached, great program, and I have nothing but positives to say about them.” “I love the rivalry we have between the two programs; it’s awesome, and that’s the kind of game we get.”

Right back came Manning, orchestrating the Whippets offense drive, reaching the Vikings’ 28 and setting the stage for the Iceman to deliver. After the Vikings called a timeout in an attempt to ice Charvet, that didn’t work, as Charvet nailed the field goal, sending the Whippets into a frenzy.

Next week, the Whippets (3-1) will look for their third victory in a row next Friday when they begin Chest-Mont League play with a cross-division battle with West Chester Rustin. The Vikings (0-3) will look to get their first victory of the season when they host Methacton next Friday in their Pioneer Athletic Conference Opener.

 
 
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