East Outlasts West to Win 13th Valor Bowl, 21-20

WEST CHESTER-In a wild, wacky Chester County high school all-star football game Thursday night, the East squad outlasted the West team, 21-20, to take the 13th annual Valor Bowl.

The contest, which benefited the Special Olympics of the county, was in doubt almost to the time the lights were finally shut off at Dicks Stadium on the campus of B. Reed Henderson High School in West Chester.

Starting at the end is the only way to describe this contest. With 4:42 left to play in the fourth quarter, East quarterback Dave Hausladen of Great Valley unloaded a 70-yard bomb to Conestoga's Dexter Bridge for a touchdown. Great Valley kicker Richie Eppleman added the extra point and East was ahead 21-14.

The fun, however, was just beginning. West marched right down the field and with 20.8 seconds left on fourth and six from the 11, Downingtown East quarterback Trey Lauletta overthrew Downingtown West's Louis Smith in the endzone and it appeared East had nailed down the win.

But not so fast. While trying to run the clock out, East fumbled the ball and West recovered on the 11 again. With 23 seconds left, Lauletta ran in from the 11 yardline to make it 21-20.

West coach Mike Matta sent the kicking team on the field for the one-point conversion but when East coach Joe Walsh called a timeout, Matta changed his mind and went for two points and the win. Lauletta's PAT pass was intercepted and the East lead was safe at 21-20.

With 17 seconds left, West recovered an onside kick and got the ball back near midfield. However on the next play, a bad snap delayed Lauletta getting started and Owen J. Roberts' Jake Manfredi picked off his pass and East had its victory.

Hausladen was named the East squad's offensive Most Valuable Player after completing 8 of 10 passes for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

West scored on the first play of the game when Lauletta threw a 56-yard pass to Smith for a 6-0 lead but Tyler Mayes of Downingtown East's point after kick was blocked. The touchdown was a Valor Bowl record for time of a drive, which lasted nine seconds.

Both teams settled into the game from then and basically sparred with one another until the second quarter when West Chester Rustin QB Andrew Fifthian snuck his way into the endzone to tie the game at 6-6 with 1:18 left in the half to complete a 60-yard, nine-play drive that covered 2:57. Eppleman added the PAT and East was ahead, 7-6 at halftime.

Phoenixville was represented on the East squad by linemen Kenny Cenci (6-5, 245) and Marcus Stokes (6-5, 325).

"It will be a week I'll never forget," said Phoenixville's Cenci. "Things started to gel as the week went on for the team. But it was all about the kids and Special Olympics. The entire thing was just very special to me and my teammates and will stay with us forever."

East finished with 240 yards of offense, with just 26 coming on the ground, while West had 226 passing out of a total of 322.

While the competition was fast and furious throughout, the meaning of the whole night was not lost on Hausladen.

"Football is a sport where you can make friends," he said. "And I made a lot of them this week working with the Special Olympians. I'll never forget the smiles and looks on their faces. It's been a great week and something I'll never forget."

Valor Bowl Award Winners

Most Valuable Players
Offense: David Hausladen, Great Valley (East); Trey Lauletta, Downingtown East (West)

Defense: Anthony D'Ambrosio, West Chester Rustin (East); Brandon Robles, Downingtown West (West)

Humanitarian Award: Quincy Rhoades, West Chester Henderson

Ben Crisi Award: East coach Joe Walsh and East team