Give Pennsbury edge over Downingtown West

Downingtown West faced three run-oriented squads in the regular season: Neshaminy, West Chester Henderson, and Downingtown East.

But the No. 15-seeded Whippets will get their first taste of a wing-T attack when they visit second-seeded Pennsbury in a PIAA District 1 Class AAAA first-round playoff at 7 p.m. Friday.

Behind Charles Snorweah, a Rutgers recruit who switches between fullback and halfback, Pennsbury is cochampion of the Suburban One League National Conference and is averaging 41.4 points.

"They move him around," West coach Mike Milano said. "You have to know where he is at all times. You really do."

It's the first meeting between Milano's Whippets (6-4) and Galen Snyder's Falcons (9-1). West is looking to rebound from back to-back losses to Ches-Mont League National Conference rivals Downingtown East and Coatesville.

"We played one bad game all year," Milano said of the 34-14, Week 9 loss to neighboring East. "We have a good football team."

West, seeking to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2009, has a spread/wing-T/option offense directed by Tyler McNulty. The senior quarterback has thrown for 1,986 yards and 16 TDs.

Here is a closer look at Friday's playoff.

Catalyst. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Snorweah has carried the ball 164 times for 1,487 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Options. The Whippets can turn to any of three running backs: Jake Barr, Mike Riddick, and Jimmy DiSantis.

Up front. Pennsbury's offensive line is powered by center Mason Houriet (6-1, 260), guard Austin O'Neill (5-11, 265), and tackle Sam Raywood (6-1, 375).

Pass-catchers. West has dangerous receivers in Tom Mattioni and Collin Domblesky. Barr and DiSantis are threats out of the backfield.

Rugged bunch. The Falcons defense is headed by linebackers Luke Snyder and Jordan O'Neill and outside linebacker/safety Greg Lichtenstein.

Big challenge. In looking to slow Snorweah and company, the Whippets will bank on solid play from end Mike Withka, tackle Tom O'Brien, linebacker Lucas McMahon, and free safety Jason Borosky.

Sidelined. Pennsbury defensive end Joe Maurer is expected to miss a second game because of an ankle injury. Ashanti Rumph has replaced him.

Pick. West is a formidable No. 15 seed, but its defense will struggle to keep the Falcons from breaking long gains. Pennsbury, 35-20.