WARRINGTON — When his coach said it, Central Bucks South junior Danny Gies was happy, but a little surprised.

"Coach (Tom) Hetrick told us before the (PIAA District One Class 6A) playoffs that we were going to go to the district final," said Gies, a wide receiver/defensive back/quarterback.

"I don't know how he knew it, but he has a lot of faith in us and I'm really glad that he was right."

Hetrick was right and then some.

On Friday, the host Titans did what they do, namely play stingy defense, pound the ground game and take an opponent's will.

It all added up to a convincing 27-7 win over Downingtown West that gave South its first district football title. The school opened in 2004. The loss ended the season for the Whippets.

"We've played with confidence all season and we knew we could do something like this," South senior linebacker Adam Oscar said. "This whole group of guys have been locked in and we were ready to go tonight."

The Titans are the first Suburban One League team since North Penn in 2016 to win the regular Class 6A championship. Souderton won the district title in the pandemic-year of 2020 when the district field was four teams, not the usual 16.

"In my 30 years of doing this, I've never been around a better group of coaches or players," Hetrick said.

"It is just a program full of good people and I couldn't be happier for all of them. What a game tonight and what a journey it's been."

Up next for the Titans will be a PIAA semifinal matchup against defending PIAA champion Saint Joe's Prep at North Penn on Saturday afternoon at 1.

How CB South got here: CB South, Leonardi turn the tables on CB West in semifinals, reaches first title game

CB South, now 13-1, entered the district tournament as the fifth seed and knocked off Coatesville, Spring-Ford, rival CB West (which handed the Titans their only loss during the regular season) and the Whippets on Friday, who were looking for their first district crown since 2019.

"We knew they were a team that liked to pass the ball and that they had a great offense," Gies said. "But our defense has been really good all season and we kept it going tonight."

Gies had a pair of interceptions to up his season total to five and also relieved starting quarterback Owen Pinkerton late in the game after Pinkerton was shaken up.

The matchup: CB South vs. Downingtown West meet with district football title on line. What to know

"He took a shot to the head and we need him, so they took him out to help make sure he's OK," Gies said.

The Titans, playing in their first district title game, made an early statement that set the tone for the rest of the game.

After marching downfield on a 15-play drive, Pinkerton scored a rushing touchdown from three-yards out to put the Titans up 7-0 late in the first quarter. The impressive drive took over eight minutes and went 85 yards.

Running back Anthony Leonardi, who had 283 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s semifinal win over CB West, added to the lead with an 18-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

The Whippets, who had four first-half turnovers, scored their lone touchdown on the final play of the first half and trailed just 13-7 at the break.

However, when South senior running back Anthony Leonardi scored on a 79-yard burst early in the fourth quarter, things were all but decided.

Gies' second interception led to senior Corey Moore bulling in from the 1 to account for the final margin.

"We just played CB South football tonight," Gies said. "That's what we've been doing all season."

CB South lays it on line: Titans' offensive line keys potent ground game

Game Balls

Anthony Leonardi, CB South, senior. The running back led all rushers with 163 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.

Matt Harmon, CB South, junior. The defensive back had a fumble recovery that led to the Titans' second touchdown and also broke up a pass in the end zone.

Corey Moore, CB South, senior. The running back finished with 60 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.

CB South QB Pinkerton proved mettle: Pinkerton, CB South enjoying dream run to PIAA District One Class 6A title game

Drew Markol: dmarkol@theintell.com; @dmarkol

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: CB South thumps Downingtown West to claim PIAA District One title