Coatesville Football at 699 wins

[ChesmontLeague1]

Thanks Nate Heckenberger for reminding on Twitter. District 1’s winningnest program is on the verge of joining 9 other PA schools including Mt Carmel, Berwick, etc in the 700 win club. Hopefully this milestone opportunity along with not beating Cumberland Valley these last few years will help them over the hump.

 

[RoverNation05]

Most Wins in PA (national rank)
1. Mount Carmel - 842 (6th)
2. Easton - 823 (9th)
3. Berwick - 805 (14th)
4. Steelton-Highspire - 743
5. Jeannette - 737
6. New Castle - 733
7. Aliquippa - 710
8. Williamsport - 710
9. Philadelphia Central - 705
10. Coatesville - 699

Interesting list in terms of state history. Really prominent positions for coal region towns in the northeast and steel towns out west. Central and Easton are two of the three oldest high schools in the state (with Perry in Pittsburgh I think being the third?). Steelton-Highspire and Easton also had a major leg up on competitors by integrating their football teams in the 1920s (for reference, Easton hoops didn’t fully integrate until Stan Sutphen took over in 1968, part of the reason we should name the damn gym after him already). Coatesville also held that advantage as a fully integrated football program in the 1950s and 1960s, as did Aliquippa, which eased its “1 black player per season” rule in the 1950s.

There’s a really good sociology paper to be written about this list. I wonder what it will look like in 25 years as the state and its athletic programs continue to change.

 

[ChesmontLeague1]

Most Wins in PA (national rank)
1. Mount Carmel - 842 (6th)
2. Easton - 823 (9th)
3. Berwick - 805 (14th)
4. Steelton-Highspire - 743
5. Jeannette - 737
6. New Castle - 733
7. Aliquippa - 710
8. Williamsport - 710
9. Philadelphia Central - 705
10. Coatesville - 699

Interesting list in terms of state history. Really prominent positions for coal region towns in the northeast and steel towns out west. Central and Easton are two of the three oldest high schools in the state (with Perry in Pittsburgh I think being the third?). Steelton-Highspire and Easton also had a major leg up on competitors by integrating their football teams in the 1920s (for reference, Easton hoops didn’t fully integrate until Stan Sutphen took over in 1968, part of the reason we should name the damn gym after him already). Coatesville also held that advantage as a fully integrated football program in the 1950s and 1960s, as did Aliquippa, which eased its “1 black player per season” rule in the 1950s.

There’s a really good sociology paper to be written about this list. I wonder what it will look like in 25 years as the state and its athletic programs continue to change.

Good stuff Rover and glad the Raiders got a chance to scrimmage your great historical laden program these last few years. Will be interesting to see the list in 25 years.

 

[RoverNation05]

It was a fun scrimmage. I’m partial to traditional powers mixing it up. That’s part of the reason I miss opening with Pennsbury so much.

Coatesville has the tools in place for a special season. The skill guys (rightfully) are getting a lot of love, but I was most impressed with how suffocating they were on defense. There’s a lot to like on that side of the ball, particularly up front.

I’d be surprised if you don’t see them in the state final. They remind me of the Persa Liberty teams.