Ridley’s Defense “Batters” Downingtown East 28-7

Written by: Paul Dale Plattenburg on Saturday, November 28th, 2009. Follow Paul Dale Plattenburg on Twitter.

When Dennis Decker was promoted from an Assistant Coach to Head Football Coach at Ridley, one of his objectives was to keep as much of the coaching staff in tact as possible.

Decker is sure glad that Ralph Batty decided to stay on as Defensive Coordinator as his defense shone in a 28-7 defeat of Downingtown East in the District One Class AAAA Semi-Final Football Playoff at Phil Marion field in Folsom on Friday night.

“Ralph Batty is the best Defensive Coordinator in District One, maybe even the state,” said Decker. “The way he breaks down film of the other team and the way he puts the kids in position to make plays,” he added.

The stats tell the story. East’s sophomore runningback Drew Harris, who entered the game with over 1,800 yards rushing, was held to 39 yards on 17 carries before being ejected from the game on a unsportsmanlike penalty midway through the fourth quarter. Trey Lauletta, who entered the game with over 2,000 yards passing was held to 133 yards passing on an 8-25 night. 54 yards came on his last completed pass, a 54 yard touchdown to Nick Damato when the game was out of reach.

While the Ridley defense has the answer for Downington East’s star sophomore runningback, East had no answer for Ridley’s sophomore runningback Jalen Randolph.

After being held to a net of zero yards on his first three caries, Randolph exploded for 135 yards on his next seven carries, including a 18 yard run with 4:50 to play in the second quarter that increased the Green Raider lead to 13-0. Randolph also caught two passes for 24 yards.

“Early in the year, it was just a matter of getting him touches,” said Decker. “Now he’s getting the touches,” he said.

“He is getting better and better every week,” said Ridley Quarterback Colin Masterson of his runningback.

Masterson himself had a good night. The senior quarterback threw for 142 yards on 11-17 passing and a five yard touchdown pass to Dion Shaw, Shahaid Smith scored the other two touchdowns for Ridley on runs of 11 and seven yards. Thr Green Raiders also had two touchdowns called back on penalties, one on an ineliglble reciever down field and a second when a punt return for a touchdown was called back on a questionable block in the back call.

With the win, seventh-seeded Ridley (12-1) now plays top seeded North Penn in the District One AAAA Championship next week at Coatesville while Downingtown East’s season ends with a 10-3 record and a Tri-Championship in the National Division of the Ches-Mont League.

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4 Responses to “Ridley’s Defense “Batters” Downingtown East 28-7”

1. Buddy says:
   December 2nd, 2009 at 12:55 pm

   I don’t think Raiders have met an offense like this ( or a defense either). Could be a good game, but I doubt it.

2. CLARK TEAM says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 9:38 pm

   BOTH GREAT TEAMS HERE. ITS GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE. I’LL BE THERE TO WATCH. LETS SEE IF RIDLEY CAN GIVE NORTH PENN A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY. GOOD LUCK TO BOTH TEAMS AND PLAY HARD.

3. Matt Alessandrine "TugBoat" says:
   November 28th, 2009 at 5:12 pm

   2006 graduate here, and of course was a varsity starter … gotta love our Raiders kickin some ass year after year Glad to see you still have your roots Joe

4. Joe Green says:
   November 28th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

   I listened to the game on the web from my western Chicago suburban home. This 1975 Green Raider grad was swelling wtih Green Raider pride! Go Raiders, beat North Penn!