Football Recap: Nicky Santangelo and Kalief Cunningham Pace Bayard Rustin Defense

Will Garner

Rushing Touchdowns

10/03/25 vs Downingtown East	2
09/26/25 @ Downingtown West	2
09/19/25 vs Kennett	2

If Downingtown East wanted to avenge their loss from the last time they played Bayard Rustin, they should've done a better job of containing Will Garner. The Golden Knights strolled past the Cougars with points to spare on Friday, taking the game 31-14 thanks in part to Garner, who rushed for 98 yards and a pair of TDs. He is also on a roll when it comes to rushing touchdowns, as he's now punched in two or more in each of the last three games he's played.

Bayard Rustin didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Nicky Santangelo and Kalief Cunningham.

Bayard Rustin has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 5-2 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 28.5 points over those games. As for Downingtown East, the defeat snapped their winning streak at five games and leaves them with a 5-2 record.

Coming up, Bayard Rustin will venture away from home to take on Great Valley at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. That game will pit two of the most dominant backs against one another: Garner and Beau Kosmalski. As for Downingtown East, they will welcome Coatesville at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The contest will give the Cougars their first taste of in-conference action this season.