By Nate Heckenberger
All season Ridley rode its defense, resulting in a co-Central League title and its first playoff win in four years.
Friday, a Coatesville blitzkrieg stunned the fifth-seeded Green Raiders, knocking them on their heels like no one has all season.
Ridley eventually found its bearings, but by then the damage was done and No. 4 Coatesville won the second-round District 1-6A playoff game, 41-21, at home.
The Green Raiders (10-2) came into the game having given up just 92 points in their first 11 games, but 99 seconds into the second quarter Coatesville had a 28-7 lead and Ridley was in unfamiliar territory.
“They made some big plays early on third and fourth downs and we couldn’t adjust,” Ridley coach Dave Wood said. “We haven’t seen team speed like that all year. We settled down and had some chances, and I thought right before half if we could’ve scored it would’ve changed the game. They’re the best football team in all three phases we’ve seen all year.”
Coatesville (11-1) received the opening kickoff and converted a first down on a second-and-23, and then after picking up 11 yards on third-and-17, freshman quarterback Ricky Ortega found Avery Young for a 21-yard touchdown on fourth down to open the scoring. Ridley fumbled on its third play from scrimmage, and Young blew past the Ridley defense for a 39-yard touchdown pass from Ortega.
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(Webmaster’s note – This Ridley vs Coatesville game was our playoff game broadcast this week. Click on this link: Ridley Playoff Game to listen to the full game)
