You can tell a lot about a team based on how it responds to the inevitable setback.

Avon Grove lost a game to Manheim Township—currently one of the top-ranked teams in the state—last Saturday, but less than 48 hours later, the Red Devils came roaring back with 16-5 win over Unionville in a home game on Monday afternoon.

Head coach Eric Jackson said that he was pleased with how his team bounced back after its first loss of the season.

“We had a tough game against Manheim Township on Saturday, but I think we responded well,” Jackson explained. “We try to never let the highs get too high, or the lows get too low.”

Avon Grove came out with a strong offensive attack against Unionville, scoring twice in the opening minute as Jackson Muller and James Chastain contributed early scores. Avon Grove pushed the lead to 8-1 by the end of the first quarter with a solid team effort on offense and defense.

Unionville battled back, cutting the lead to 8-3 early in the second quarter, but Avon Grove was able to score in bunches, and added three goals in about three minutes of play in the latter part of the second quarter to push the lead to 11-3.

Avon Grove was able to execute its game plan on offense and defense, and the Red Devils controlled the flow of the game as a result.

“I think we had good, smart play today,” Jackson said. “We played with good energy.”

Unionville struck early in the third with a goal in the opening minute, but once again Avon Grove scored in bunches, netting three goals in under a minute of play to push the lead to 16-4. The final score was 16-5.

The victory improved Avon Grove’s record to 8-1 on the season. This squad has been here before. The team has been consistently excellent under Jackson, especially during the last decade, when Avon Grove has captured several Ches-Mont League crowns, two district championships and a state championship in 2017.

Jackson noted that this year’s squad isn’t the most experienced because so many seniors graduated last year, but the players are working hard to continue the program’s winning tradition.

 

“I’m proud of the team,” Jackson said. “A lot of the guys who didn’t have experience going into this season are starting to figure things out. I think we’re moving in the right direction.”