Coatesville

By PETER DIGIOVANNI

cpn11716@comcast.net

For the past few seasons, the Coatesville football team has been fueled by star power. With Emmitt Hunt, Chris Jones, Daquan Worley and Tyler Burke all landing at major college programs, the Red Raiders have been a breeding ground for Division 1 talent. This season, Coatesville has two more special players in Jay Stocker and Amir Ealey, who both have multiple Division 1 college offers.

Red Raiders boss Matt Ortega talked about the pair.

“Jay is a kid that has really come on, on the field and in the classroom,” Ortega said. “He buckled down and has put his mind to being a leader on and off the field. He is a special player that can get open when he wants to and is a great defensive back. Along with Akima Evans, who has been offered by Temple, and Jordan Young and Ricky Southcott, we feel we have a very deep and talent secondary, led by Jay and the rest of the seniors.

“As far as Amir (is concerned), he is ready to have a great season. He came in late last year and he did not know the kids and his teammates, but this year he is more comfortable and he is ready to be a force in this league. We can move him around at defensive end and do some things because teams are going to have to key on him. He is very strong and he has been working very hard. Amir allows us to play a lot of different packages. He is very physical and fast.”

Ortega sees the strength of his team being their overall team speed and the development of junior Jordan Young, in his second year as starting quarterback.

“Jordan will be a running and passing threat for us,” Ortega said. “He will be one of the most improved players in the league this season. He has really come on in the offseason and he is more comfortable now at the position. We also feel Jalen Hudson is a back we can give the ball to and he can break down a defense and make a big play.”

Ortega sees West Chester Henderson as the team to beat in the Ches-Mont National League.

“Henderson should be good and Downingtown West will always be there. West is always a scrappy team and they will be tough. Our nonleague schedule has Martin Luther King, who has a lot of athletes, Central Bucks South, who has (Notre Dame recruit, running back) Josh Adams. They will be tough on their home field on grass and we shut him down (last season), so he will be out to prove something. And Roman Catholic is very physical and our crossover game is with Kennett again.”