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Kennett Square >> Following Unionville’s closely-fought dual swimming meet victories against West Chester Rustin Saturday at the Kennett Area YMCA, Longhorn head coach Mike Mangan reflected on the close family-like feeling between the two squads.

“It’s a family thing,” said Mangan. “The reason we were excited about this meet is because we have a lot of family connections. (Unionville’s) Delaney Harlan and (Rustin’s) Lily Turco are cousins. And Kiera (Rustin head coach Kiera Callahan) was my former student at Unionville. So we know each other pretty well, and we’re similar schools, and it’s an exciting, fun meet for us.”

The Unionville boys (3-0) defeated the Rustin boys (2-3), 91-70; while the Longhorn girls (3-0) edged the Golden Knight girls (3-2), 88-82.

Callahan, who took Dr. Mangan’s U.S. History class at Unionville High School during the 2014-2015 school year (Mangan later wrote a letter of recommendation for college on behalf of Kiera), said, “Our whole team swam awesome today. It was a close meet, and being able to come out here on a Saturday – an Eagles Saturday (smiles) – and put together some nice swims, it was pretty awesome. We had a lot of kids stepping up to the plate.”

For the Unionville girls, Izzy Iwasyk won the 200 IM with a district consideration time of 2:17.35, and finished first in the 100 free with a district consideration time of 56.63. The Longhorns’ Lauren Dobie won the 50 free (26.51)

The Longhorn girls also won all three relays. The quartet of Iwasyk, Harlan, Dobie and Amelia Miller won the 200 medley relay (1:54.88), the foursome of Harlan, Jacqueline Heyer, Jasmine Liu and Jillian Murphy finished first in the 200 free relay (1:47.85) and the quartet of Miller, Lily Mannion, Dobie and Iwasyk won the 400 free relay with a district consideration time of 3:46.11.

“Our depth on the girls’ side was really evident today,” said Mangan.

For the Rustin girls, Flynn Truskett won both the 200 free (2:01.64) and 500 free (5:29.04) with district consideration times, and Turco won both the 100 fly (1:00.12) and 100 breast (1:10.43) with district consideration times. The Golden Knights’ Lily Greenwood won the 100 back (1:03.70).

“Cara Schwacke (second place, girls 500 free, 5:34.06) is getting close to a district consideration time in the 500 free,” noted Callahan. “We also had some girls swim today who normally dive (there were no diving events in this meet), and they stepped up to the plate with that. It was a whole team effort today, it was awesome.”

In the boys meet, Unionville won five individual events, two by Ernesto Solana (200 free – 1:58.56 and 500 free – 5:34.97) and one each by Brendan Manion (200 IM, 2:11.08), Dylan Burns (100 free, 53.48) and Harrison Kachel (50 free, 23.17). Manion also posted an exhibition time of 1:07.48 in the boys 100 breast.

Kachel, a senior, attained district consideration time in the 50 free, and it was the first time in his Longhorn career that he achieved it in that event.

Unionville’s Matt Mclellan swam district consideration times in both the 100 fly (55.89, second place) and 100 back (56.63, second place).

Mangan said, “Matt was sick the whole past week, so for him to do that, that was a fantastic time for him.”

Other first-place finishers for the Unionville boys were the quartet of Mclellan, Kyle O’Neill, Solana and Kachel in the 200 medley relay (1:45.01), and the foursome of Dylan Burns, Conor Burns, Manion and Kachel in the 200 free relay (1:36.11). The quartet of Solana, Dylan Burns, Manion and Mclellan posted an exhibition time of 3:35.70 in the 400 free relay.

For the Rustin boys, George Harkins won the 100 fly with a district consideration time of 55.68 and AJ Chapman won the 100 back with a district consideration time of 55.14. Chapman also finished third in the 100 fly (56.67).

“AJ getting his district time in the 100 back is awesome for us, he’s solidified in that event and he’s inching closer (to district consideration time) in the 100 fly,” said Callahan.

Also for the Rustin boys, the 400 free relay quartet of Harkins, Alec Khatib, Jonah Hilt and Chapman picked up first-place points (3:39.71).

Unionville (boys) 91, WC Rustin 70

200 Medley Relay: Unionville (Matt Mclellan, Kyle O’Neill, Ernesto Solana, Harrison Kachel), 1:45.01

200 Free: Ernesto Solana, UN, 1:58.56

200 IM: Brendan Manion, UN, 2:11.08

50 Free: Harrison Kachel, UN, 23.17

100 Fly: George Harkins, WCR, 55.68

100 Free: Dylan Burns, UN, 53.48

500 Free: Ernesto Solana, UN, 5:34.97

200 Free Relay: Unionville (Dylan Burns, Conor Burns, Brendan Manion, Harrison Kachel), 1:36.11

100 Back: AJ Chapman, WCR, 55.14

100 Breast: Cameron Benedetto, WCR, 1:18.02

400 Free Relay: WC Rustin (George Harkins, Alec Khatib, Jonah Hilt, AJ Chapman), 3:39.71

Unionville (girls) 88, WC Rustin 82

200 Medley Relay: Unionville (Izzy Iwasyk, Delaney Harlan, Lauren Dobie and Amelia Miller), 1:54.88

200 Free: Flynn Truskett, WCR, 2:01.64

200 IM: Izzy Iwasyk, UN, 2:17.35

50 Free: Lauren Dobie, UN, 26.51

100 Fly: Flynn Truskett, WCR, 1:00.12

100 Free: Izzy Iwasyk, UN, 56.63

500 Free: Flynn Truskett, WCR, 5:29.04

200 Free Relay: Unionville (Delaney Harlan, Jacqueline Heyer, Jasmine Liu, Jillian Murphy), 1:47.85

100 Back: Lily Greenwood, WCR, 1:03.70

100 Breast: Lily Turco, WCR, 1:10.43

400 Free Relay: Unionville (Amelia Miller, Lily Mannion, Lauren Dobie, Izzy Iwasyk), 3:46.11

After a four-hour road trip to Altoona Saturday morning, the Unionville High School girls’ volleyball team began its PIAA 4A state quarterfinal against District 7 champion Pine-Richland on fire, winning the first two sets, 25-23 and 25-22. Unfortunately, a third victory never quite came for the Longhorns (22-2), who dropped the next three sets, 19-25, 22-25 and 15-17. Unionville led the third set 8-4, held a 17-13 lead in the fourth set and was just one point away from winning the fifth and deciding set, leading 14-13. “I’m so proud of our team,” said Unionville head coach Stephanie Smith. “Our players worked so hard this season — these girls really played for each other this season. It’s such an accomplishment to come this far in States, and it’s not something you take for granted. Our girls really had to work hard to get (to state quarterfinals).” Senior captains Maddy Lowe and Jillian Murphy were among those who stood tall for the Longhorns Saturday. Lowe finished with 16 kills and 10 digs, while Murphy had eight blocks and five kills. “Maddy and Jillian have been a big part of our team the last few years,” said Smith. “They’ve set the tone, and have led by example. They also brought to the team the experience of being in the state final (in 2020). They worked hard and pushed their teammates (by example). We had a great group of seniors this year — Maddy, Jillian, Delaney McCoy and Ashley Wilson — and they’ll be leaving some big shoes to fill.” The Longhorns also featured a solid group of juniors who contributed greatly to the Longhorns’ successful season – including Ava Brenner (13 kills and four blocks Saturday), Vivian Geiger (12 kills, five blocks), setter Olivia Harper (49 assists), libero Ava Van Deusen and Brianna Miller. “This team has always played with confidence,” said Smith. “Sometimes on the sideline during the regular season, if the team was struggling a bit, I’d think about taking a timeout, but just then our team would go out on a long service run (laughs). They’d take control of the game.” During the regular season, Unionville was undefeated, posting an 18-0 record and losing only five sets total. In the District 1 4A tournament, the Longhorns defeated Downingtown East (3-0), Upper Merion (3-1) and Lower Merion (3-0) before falling to Garnet Valley, 3-2, in the district championship final. In the PIAA 4A state tournament, Unionville defeated Ephrata 3-1 before facing Pine-Richland. “It’s a long volleyball season, when you consider that our girls play club volleyball as well,” said Smith. “All season long, our players stayed motivated. I’m so proud of them.”

EAST MARLBOROUGH>>Unionville turned the ball over on its first possession, foreshadowing things to come. By the end of the night, Great Valley forced a whopping seven turnovers—four interceptions along with three fumbles. Add a balanced offensive attack and a great kicking game, and the Patriots (7-1 overall, 4-0 Ches-Mont) cruised to a dominant 34-7 win over the host Longhorns (3-5, 2-3). “We played really well the first half of the season, minus the one week where we struggle against Shanahan,” said Great Valley coach Jeff Martin. “The kids bounced back and tonight played a great game against a traditionally strong program like Unionville. Our guys came in fired up and ready to compete against them.”Both teams struggled early to get anything going offensively, and the game entered the second period in a scoreless tie before Great Valley finally got on the board. After a fumble set the Patriots up with a first and ten deep in Unionville territory, quarterback Brandon Melia connected with Joseph Newell on a short pass in the flat, then Newell covered the 18 yards for the touchdown.

With just over two minutes to go in the half, the Patriots struck again. Deep in their own territory following a Unionville punt, Colin Kiselak broke loose for a 70 yard run to the Unionville ten. Two plays later, Tommy Crouse ran one in from 15 yards.“Everyone’s doing what they’re supposed to do and making plays, and the d-backs really got it done tonight,” said Crouse, who also had one of the four picks for Great Valley. “The o-line made the blocks to get me loose, and then the receivers made their blocks on the outside, and we got it in the end zone, just like we practice it.”Great Valley’s running game really began to click in the second half. Led by Jack Coffey’s 125 yards on 10 carries, the Patriots rushed for a total of 273 yards on 34 carries. Melia finished with 44 yards on 13 carries, while Kiselak’s big run made up the bulk of his 75 yards on 4 carries.

“We had the game plan to run the ball this week, and our o-line really executed,” said Coffey, who had a long of 46. “I think we’re hitting our stride at the right time. There are, obviously, things we still can work on, but the way we’re playing I believe we can compete with anyone.” The Great Valley passing game was there when it needed to be, with Kiselak and Melia combining to complete four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. Kicker Seth Turner had a big night for the Patriots. After his first field goal attempt was blocked, Turner connected on field goals from 47 and 43 yards.

“What a great asset to have on our team just makes for a really dynamic team,” said Martin. “He’s hit from 51 this year, to have that in our back pocket is great. Our special teams in general have been really good for us.” Unionville finally got on the board midway through the fourth, when Ryan Gilday plunged into the end zone on a one-yard quarterback keeper.“”We’re still growing,” said Unionville coach Pat Clark. “I wish we were further along than we are, but the kids are putting in the effort. We’re not going to lower our standard, but coach these kids to play up to them. But I can’t fault our kids’ effort.”

Great Valley 34 Unionville 7Great Valley 0 14 17 3 –34 Unionville 0 0 0 7–7ScoringSecond QuarterGV—Newell 18-pass from Melia (Turner kick) 7-0GV—Crouse 10-run (Turner kick) 14-0Third QuarterGV—Melia 19-run (Turner kick) 21-0GV—Turner 47-FG (24-0)GV—Coffey 30-run (Turner kick) 31-0Fourth QuarterUN-Gilday 1-run (Reichert kick) 31-7GV-Turner 43-FG 34-7Team statisticsGV–UNFirst downs 9—11Rushes-yards 34-273 30-90Passing 4-11 9-20Passing yards 51 128Total yards 324 218Punts/avg 2-38.5 2-43Fumbles-lost 1-0 3-3Penalties-yards 5-55 3-15Individual statisticsRushing—GV Coffey 10-125, TD, Milea 13-44, TD, Crouse1-10 TD, Kiselak 4-75, Johnson 5-7, Orr 1-8 UN Stang 17-52, Gilday 2-12, TD, Habtemichael 2-1, McLaughlin 5-(-1), King 4-14, D’Amico 2-12 Passing — GV Milea 2-6, 25, TD, INT, Kislelak 2-4, 26 UN Stang 8-19, 98, Gilday 1-1, 30Receiving—GV Kiselak 1-7, Crouse 1-18, Coffey 1-8, Newell 1-18 UN Tarr 5-48 King 2-67, D’Amico 1-4, Weigand 1-9Sacks—GV Maslowski, OrrInterceptions—GV Crouse, Callahan, Orr, Diamond UN King

EAST MARLBOROUGH >> The Downingtown East baseball team bounced back from a tough loss to West Chester East on Monday to beat back Unionville on Wednesday afternoon at a cold and blustery Longhorn Stadium. The Cougars got a strong starting pitching performance from senior Luc Rising and held off a seventh-inning rally to take a hard-fought 8-6 Ches-Mont League victory.

Rising went 5 2/3 innings, allowing the Longhorns (1-10 Ches-Mont, 1-10 overall) just four hits while striking out eight. Nate Kabatt came in for Rising in the bottom of the sixth inning to get the save for the Cougars (7-3 Ches-Mont, 8-3 overall).

“My guys got that early lead for me. It is really a lot easier to pitch with a lead,” Rising said. “You get to relax and a little and a mistake is easier to take. Today, my fastball and curve were working well and I thought my change up was really good and that is what I was using for my strikeout pitch today.”

Downingtown East took an early 4-0 lead after two innings as they scored four runs on just two hits against starter Braden Pomponi. James Lambe started the second with an infield single. After Nick Mullen flied out, Jake Schultz was awarded first base on a catchers interference call. Kyle Marinola then singled to load the bases.

Jamey Jenkins brought in the first with a grounder to first. Pomponi then walked two straight batters to bring in two runs. A wild pitch plated the fourth run and it looked like the Cougars were on the way to an easy win.

They piled on two more runs in the top of the fourth to make it a 6-0 game, and knocking Pomponi from the contest.

Unionville started the fight back in the fourth. After Rising got the first two batters out, the Longhorns put together three straight hits and a walk to plate three runs. The big hit was a ringing two-run double by Ben Baccelierri to right field and the lead was cut to 6-3.

“Things were going along pretty smoothly and the guys were making all the plays behind me. Then it got a little messy in the fourth inning.” Rising said.

It stayed 6-3 until the seventh. Marinola led off the inning with a single. Pinch hitter Ryan Grissom laid down a bunt that was fielded by reliever Jake Ahfeld, but his throw to first went into right field to put men on first and second.

“One of our sophomores in the dugout were asking why we were bunting up 6-3,” Downingtown East coach Pete Susi said. “But in high school baseball you try to put the ball in play and force the other teams to make a play.”

Andrew Dewese then bunted the runners over to second and third with one out. Alex Lehman lofted a sacrifice fly to right to make it 7-3. Their final run scored on an infield error and the Cougars had what looked like a comfortable 8-3 lead.

But, the Longhorns kept battling. Unionville scored three runs on only one hit. East helped out by committing a costly infield error to allow a run to score and an outfield error. Kabatt also walked a batter to start the inning, who would come around to score. With the tying runs on, Kabatt ended the crazy affair by striking out Sean Regenye to give the Cougars the win.

“We got a good start from Luc,” Susi said. “He has been strong for us all season. His breaking stuff was really working wel. He pounds the strike zone. Those two runs we got in the top of the seventh inning were huge for us.”

It was another tough loss in a difficult season for the Longhorns and coach Chris Valis.

“The kids get fighting just like they have all season,” Valis said. “But, a couple of mistakes hurt us. A catcher’s interference and a couple of errors and that was it.”

Downingtown East 8, Unionville 6 Downingtown East 040 200 2-8 Unionville 000 300 3-6 WP-Rising. LP- Pomponi. 2B-Lehman, Baccelierri.

EAST MARLBOROUGH >> Expectations never change at Unionville under longtime head football coach Pat Clark.

This fall the Longhorns will have to replace a long list of departed starters. But the major goals – to beat prime rival Kennett, win the Ches-Mont American title and pursue a district championship – are still front and center, as usual.

“We have a pretty young roster, but that’s OK,” Clark said. “We still have high expectations.

“We probably have 8-10 younger brothers or cousins of kids who have played here. They know what our program is about and they know what the expectation is.”

The defending C-M American champs went 10-2 a year ago, and there is a strong motivation to keep Unionville in the upper echelon. And for 2022, there will also be another major incentive: it will be Clark’s 19^th and final season at the helm.

“I was named Assistant Principal (at UHS) midway through last season,” he explained. “I get this season to wrap it up.”

It may take some time, but the ’Horns believe they have the makings of another stout defense, with standout players at all three levels: lineman Nathan D’Angelo (6-foot-3, 230), inside linebacker Quintan Boyle (6-0, 195), and safety Tucker Opdahl. Not surprisingly, all three are legacies.

D’Angelo is a three-year starter, his dad, Dan, is on the coaching staff, and his brother played for Clark. Boyle is the fourth brother to play at Unionville, and Opdahl was a first team all-league pick a year ago.

“(D’Angelo) has been watching Unionville football since second grade,” Clark said. “He has size and is athletic. Nate should be an impact player on both sides of the ball.

“Go to Coatesville or the Downingtowns, where they’ve been playing football for a long time, and you see a lot of kids whose dads or brothers played there. It makes a difference. Would you want to answer to your brother if you weren’t successful?”

Outside linebacker Matt D’Amico (5-11, 200) is also back and he is the third D’Amico brother to play for Clark. Up front, there is good size with returnees like senior Owen Prysock (6-5, 250), junior Jack Hyman (5-11, 235) and senior Christian Demming (6-3, 191).

In addition to Opdahl, the secondary is set at one cornerback spot by senior speedster Joe King. Others like junior Oliver Tarr, seniors Spero Ferentinos and Ryan Gilday are expected to fill out the other two spots.

“As seniors, we are going to do our best to lead the younger guys and see where it takes us,” D’Angelo said.

On offense, King is taking over for Ethan Bennick as the Longhorn’s primary tailback. He is experienced, elusive and instinctive. It is an important role, but also a big opportunity.

“I think I am ready. I feel like our offense is going to be what everybody expects from Unionville,” King said.

“We always seem to have a tailback that can carry the load,” Clark added.

“Joe was an awesome compliment to (Bennink) last year. We will build around Joe. He has a great burst and he cares. He is a quiet leader, but the kids voted him one of our captains.”

At quarterback, it’s a battle between Gilday (6-3, 205), and junior Levi Brawley (6-2, 185). Both are good athletes, and Clark vows that both will see the field, whether at quarterback or elsewhere.

“But I don’t know if we are in a spot yet where we split quarterback reps,” Clark pointed out.

“Levi can run well and he can throw it. Gilday’s arm is terrific,” added Opdahl, who is expected to be a favorite target.

D’Angelo will anchor the offensive front, and others like Prysock, Hyman and Demming are in the mix.

“We have some pieces,” Clark said. “We will do some things by committee along the offensive and defensive lines early on. We will be better in September than we are now. And we’ll be better in October than we are in September.

“On offense, we are kind of unknown on the perimeter, but there are a lot of young guys to choose from.”

The overall message is clear: a handful of returnees may have to hold things together in the early going while the newcomers get up to speed. But by mid-season, Unionville will probably look like Unionville always does: competitive and tough.

“We want to go out with a bang, but our preparation is the same,” Boyle said. “There is a level on consistency since coach Clark got here, so we are trying to play at that same level.”

Opdahl added: “The standard is up here, and it’s not going to come down for anybody or any team.

“Nineteen seasons happens for a reason. Before (Clark) got here, the football was pretty bad for a long time. He brought the standard up and we’ve been a playoff contender ever since.”

And according to Clark, the future is bright.

“We’ve got some young kids who we think are going to be real good,” he said. “Whoever takes over for me, the program is going to be stocked.”

Unionville

Fri., Aug. 26 — vs. Academy Park, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 2 — at Sun Valley, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 9 — vs. Oxford, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 16 — vs. West Chester East, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 23 — at Coatesville, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 30 — vs. Chichester, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 7 — at Kennett, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 14 — vs. Great Valley, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 21 — at West Chester Henderson, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 28 — at West Chester Rustin, 7 p.m.

Head Coach: Pat Clark

2021 Record: 7-0 Ches-Mont American, 10-2 Overall