The Coatesville football program is used to winning under head coach Matt Ortega, who took over the reins of the Red Raiders’ program in 2010. Coatesville has won District 1 championships in 2012, 2017 and 2018 under Ortega, the first for the Raiders since Jack Helm led Coatesville to the 1993 District 1 title.
This season the Raiders are off to a fast start at 7-0 and currently sit as the number two seed in the district 6A playoff power rankings. Coatesville has plenty of weapons on offense and a defense led by Penn State-bound linebacker Terry Wiggins.
Quarterback Matt Ortega, Jr., leads the area in passing yards and the Raiders feature two star backs in Andre Watson and Sage Bradshaw. Receiver Qwan James is one of the best in the district and five-star offensive lineman Max Hiller leads a massive Coatesville front.
But questions persist anyway about how far this team can go. Wins over Smyrna (Del.) and Perkiomen Valley looked impressive when they happened. The two teams, however, have struggled after losing to the Raiders.
Now the two Downingtown’s and Bishop Shanahan await on the Raiders’ schedule and all of those questions will be answered. It is test time for all the Ches-Mont North Division teams.
To me, this Coatesville team seems ready for the challenge. It has the look and swagger past Ortega squads. The head coach also feels this could be another special team.
“I look at this team like our 2021 team,” Ortega said. “We lost to Garnet Valley in the district championship game that year. It is a group with their edge, and the thing that makes them a special group is that they are tight.
“They have fun. They love playing football. They love each other. They love coming to practice. They are constantly joking with each other on and off the field. That is what makes this group special. We know they just love to play football. We tell them we want to play football and have fun doing it and this group really does that.”
So all the elements are there for the Raiders to topple Bishop Shanahan as the North Division champions and make a run at a coveted district title. These next three games will tell the tale of the 2025 Coatesville football team.
It will be a fun watch filled with highlights and special plays. Time will definitely tell. No more non-league games. Test time is here. Are the Red Raiders ready?
Bet against them at your peril.
Source: Berkshire mont
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