Aaron Young, Coatesville overpower Downingtown West to stay undefeated

Because Coatesville's high-powered offense scores early and often, standout halfback Aaron Young has to value every carry and reception before the starters usually give way to the reserves.

Young did just that against Downingtown West on Friday night, scoring three times on just eight touches as the host Red Raiders blitzed the outmanned Whippets, 42-14, in front of a large crowd.

"I don't worry about statistics," the 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior said. "It's all about having fun and winning the game."

Young produced two of Coatesville's five scores in the opening 17 minutes, finding the end zone on a 2-yard run and a 40-yard pass from Ricky Ortega.

After Young's 4-yard TD run on a left-side toss early in the third quarter, Red Raiders coach Matt Ortega brought on the second-stringers.

Since Coatesville and Downingtown West both came in undefeated, many expected a Ches-Mont League National Division contest in which the Whippets would at least keep things close for a while.

Instead, the explosive Red Raiders scored on each of their first five possessions, comfortably led by 35-7 at intermission, and brought on the mercy rule (and a running clock) on Young's third tally.

"This has been a good rivalry over the years, so we worked hard in preparing for them," Young said.

Coatesville, ranked No. 2 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by the Inquirer, improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the National Division. Young and Co. have outscored foes by 332-88.

"Our coaches do a good job of getting us in one-on-one matchups and then we're able to make a big play by using our speed, making a move, or breaking a tackle."

Young is mulling scholarship offers from Michigan State, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. The 17-year-old was at Penn State for last Saturday night's Whiteout game against Ohio State.

Young's two older brothers are currently playing college football. Jordan is a redshirt sophomore linebacker at Old Dominion; Avery is a freshman cornerback at Rutgers and is already a starter.

Aaron Young also excels in track and field. He competes in the 100-meter dash, is part of the 4×100 relay, and tosses the javelin.

Of the javelin, he said, "Our coaches needed a thrower, so I figured I'd give it a try. I turned out to be pretty good at it."

No. 5-ranked Downingtown West (6-1, 2-1) lost strong-armed junior quarterback Will Howard, a Division I prospect, to an injury just before halftime.

Downingtown West  0   7   0  7 –  14

Coatesville                21 14 7  0 –  42

C: Aaron Young 2 run (Than Hylen kick)

C: Dapree Bryant 58 pass from Ricky Ortega (Hylen kick)

C: Dymere Hill 44 pass from Ortega (Hylen kick)

C: Jordan Engler 12 pass from Ortega (Hylen kick)

C: Young 40 pass from Ortega (Hylen kick)

DW: Will Howard 9 run (Dan Byrnes kick)

C: Young 1 run (Hylen kick)

DW: Ryan Wetzel 1 run (Byrnes kick)