CB South edged by Downingtown West in Week 2 football

WARRINGTON — When Central Bucks South head coach Tom Hetrick resigned in late July for family health reasons, defensive coordinator Johnny Cataldo and offensive coordinator Bart Szarko became the Titans’ co-coaches.

Cataldo and Szarko, who was the first head coach at CB South (from 2004-09), led the Titans for the first time as a tandem in a 35-17 Week 1 football loss to Archbishop Wood.

On Friday night, the Titans lost to visiting Downingtown West 28-20 in a non-league game.

“The coaching staff has been together a decade,” Cataldo said. “Coach Hetrick created a very collaborative atmosphere and he created the culture. All we’re trying to do is continue to build upon it.”

Cataldo remains in charge of the defense with Szarko continuing to call the offensive plays. Hetrick still helps out, including on the sideline with an iPad during games.

“When we found out coach Hetrick was stepping down, it was really hard on the team,” said junior linebacker/H-back Juju Hardy. “Coach Cataldo and coach Szarko have done an absolutely amazing job rallying us together, coaching us hard and trying to get our best product out on Friday nights.”

They could’ve earned their first coaching tandem win if not for Whippets senior running back Amari Cannon, who scored all four touchdowns. Cannon, a UMass commit, rushed for 217 yards on 26 carries with three scores and contributed three catches for 60 yards and a TD.

“The running back is both fast and elusive and he has the ability to break tackles,” Cataldo said. “We have at least seven new starters (on defense). What happens is small mistakes get magnified when you’re learning. We’re excited to see what happens as we move on.”

Cataldo was encouraged by a number of things Friday, including the way the Titans responded after allowing two long TDs in the third quarter.

Hardy caught a 49-yard deep ball from sophomore quarterback Trent Haviland in the second quarter, which set up the first of senior running back Gavin Graham’s two touchdowns.

Downingtown West, which lost its opener 51-20 to Bethlehem Freedom, went 8-3 last year and reached the District One 6A playoffs, while the Titans ended up 5-5.

CB South defeated Downingtown West 27-7 for the 2023 District One 6A championship at Titan Stadium.

What’s next for Downingtown West?

The Whippets visit Owen J. Roberts on Sept. 10 (7 p.m.).

What’s next for CB South?

The 0-2 Titans visit Plymouth Whitemarsh on Sept. 10 (7 p.m.).

Key play

On Downingtown West’s first play after CB South cut its deficit to 14-13, senior running back Amari Cannon went 68 yards for a touchdown to make it an eight-point game.

By the numbers: Downingtown West vs. CB South

11: The yard-line in which CB South senior Jake Falco recovered the opening kickoff of the second half when miscommunication resulted in two Downingtown West returners thinking the other was going to handle it.

Game balls

CB South senior running back Gavin Graham carried 19 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior running back Amari Cannon scored all four Downingtown West touchdowns. He rushed for 217 yards on 26 carries with three scores and had three catches for 60 yards and a TD.

They said it

“I’m very proud of the effort,” said CB South co-coach Johnny Cataldo. “We have to clean up some things and we’re going to work to do that.”

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: CB South edged by Downingtown West in Week 2 football