’Hounds look to take region crown with win over Sharpsville
Written: Oct 23, 2014
 By Andrew Koob
New Castle News
The Wilmington High football team controls its own destiny when Sharpsville comes to town tomorrow night.
A Greyhounds’ victory would give them the District 10, Region 1-A title outright. A loss and the picture gets much muddier.
But the fate of the ’Hounds (4-1 region, 5-2 overall) is in their own hands and they don’t intend to waste that opportunity.
“This is a big game for both of us,” Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said. “The kids understand what’s at stake and we’re getting ready to go.”
Wilmington, Sharpsville (3-2, 6-2) and Lakeview would hold 4-2 conference records if the Blue Devils win tomorrow night. A West Middlesex win over Farrell and a Farrell victory over Mercer could bring either team up into the 4-2 realm as well.
Last week’s 19-0 victory over Lakeview puts the Greyhounds in the position to avoid all of the tiebreakers that could be on the horizon. But, with their final region game of the regular season just a day away and the playoffs quickly approaching, the focus is squarely on the Blue Devils.
“There are times when I don’t think anything needs to be said,” Verrelli said. “They know everything that’s going on, they know the situation. They’re ready to go, they understand what’s at stake and they’re ready to play.”
Sophomore quarterback Reese Bender, who stepped in last week after Cody Llewellyn was lost to injury, will look to have a more prominent role in the offense. Bender completed five of his 10 pass attempts for 25 yards, including a 14-yard score to Marc Peoples, in a 19-0 win over Lakeview last week.
“He has to get the job done and last week there were a few things that didn’t help us because he hasn’t played there (at quarterback),” Verrelli said. “We’re working on those things and he’ll be much better after a week of practice. He can certainly do the job.”
The ’Hounds will be without both Llewellyn and top rusher Jacob Sotter, who also is out with an injury for the second-straight week.
Wilmington certainly isn’t hurting at the running back position with Sotter’s absence. The Greyhounds have sophomore tailbacks Kyle Slicker and Spencer DeMedal, who have combined for 513 yards on the season. Bender, a former running back, adds 151 yards on the ground as well.
“We need a great team effort, that’s how we win games,” Verrelli said. “When it doesn’t happen they end up in trouble.”
Sharpsville is coming off of a 20-13 loss to Farrell and will be eager to take out its revenge on the Greyhounds. The Blue Devils have scored at least 39 points in all but one of their victories, a 14-7 decision against West Middlesex.
However, in their two losses, Sharpsville has scored six and 13 points.
“All we want to do is play football,” Verrelli said.” Getting up on anybody early helps you out, but that is something we feel is a key thing. It’s just important to play great defense like we did last week.”
Consistent defense once again will be key for the ’Hounds. Wilmington has been a part of two shutouts the past two weeks, the first coming in a 41-0 loss to Hickory before blanking the Sailors a week ago.
“It’s very similar to last week’s game, you have to play defense,” Verrelli said. “They’re a good football team and defense is critical.”
(Email: A_Koob@ncnewsonline.com)
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