After rare loss, Wilmington ready for playoffs
Written: Nov 07, 2008
  By JOHN D’ABRUZZO
jd’abruzzo@ncnewsonline.com
A fresh start.
That’s what Terry Verrelli and his Wilmington High football team will be looking for tomorrow night.
The Greyhounds, who have been the most-hyped District 10 team this season, want to redeem themselves after last week’s regular-season finale loss to Karns City.
Wilmington (9-1) will face Girard (7-3) in the first round of the District 10, Class AA playoffs at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Slippery Rock University. The winner will meet either General McLane (8-2) or Greenville (8-2) next week at a time, date and site to be determined by District 10.
The Greyhounds are ranked 10th in Class AA in the latest state poll.
“Obviously, good things can come out of it (losing to Karns City),” said Verrelli, who’s in his 30th season at the helm of the Wilmington program. “You have to get in tough situations but play through it without getting down and understanding the situation. They have bigger goals (then being undefeated).
“Eight of our nine wins have been by the mercy rule. So playing tight games is something they have to experience.”
FIRST STEP
Wilmington begins it’s quest for a third consecutive district title following a 9-0 run in Region 3-AA, while Girard is embarking on its first postseason trip since 2005.
“I’m sure they’re upset about that loss (to Karns City),” said Mina George, who is in his 13th season as coach of the Yellowjackets. “We need to worry about things we’re capable of doing. We run the football as much as we can and mix in the pass. We’re a young team, but we’re ready for the challenge.”
Girard, which is located just west of Erie, finished fourth in Region 4-AA. The Yellowjackets are riding a two-game losing streak.
“(Wilmington) is a good football team with not many weaknesses on offense or defense,” George said.
MAN DOWN
Girard will be without senior quarterback Pat Dunn, who last week re-aggravated a knee injury he suffered early in the season. Dunn had completed 9 of 25 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown with one interception against North East.
Justin Zadorozny will fill in for Dunn. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound sophomore completed 8 of 24 attempts for 107 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions.
“They have a good offensive scheme,” Verrelli said. “They are more of a power team than a finesse team. They do a good job running the ball.”
Junior tailback Bill Sobucki (5-7, 167) leads the Yellowjackets’ rushing attack with 1,022 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns on 225 carries. Josh Williams (6-0, 175), another junior, has rushed 115 times for 653 yards and seven touchdown.
“They force a lot of turnovers and if we turn the ball over early, we’re going to be in bad shape,” George said.
OFFENSIVE PUNCH
Wilmington has outscored opponents 416-76, surpassing 42 points eight times.
Junior Derrick Burns leads the ’Hounds’ running game. The 5-10, 195-pound Burns ranks third in the county with 852 yards and 16 touchdowns on 103 carries.
But he’s not Wilmington’s only weapon.
Sophomore Sutton Whiting (5-8, 150) has gathered 467 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 carries, while senior Luke Yohman (5-10, 160) has 300 yards and seven touchdowns on 38 carries and junior Jake DeMedal (6-1, 170) has 229 yards and six touchdowns on 39 carries.
The ’Hounds can throw, too.
Shane Wagner ranks second in the county with 1,071 yards passing. The 6-0, 185-pound senior has completed 63 of 117 attempts with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Senior wide receiver Matt Wagner, who is the quarterback’s cousin, ranks fourth in the county with 25 catches for six touchdowns and 342 yards.
“As the year has gone on, and especially last week, we are coming together as a group and they’re backing each other,” Verrelli said.
“We wouldn’t want to go into the playoffs not being mentally tough. We’re ready to go and ready to play our best. That’s all you can ask.”
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