Wilmington set to clash with General McLane
Written: Nov 14, 2008
 By JOHN D’ABRUZZO
ncsports@ncnewsonline.com
It’s the showdown many District 10 high school football fans have been anticipating.
Wilmington High and General McLane will meet in the Class AA semifinals at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Allegheny College in Meadville. The winner advances to the championship game next week against the winner of Sharon (10-1) and Slippery Rock (8-3).
Many expected a title match between the Lancers (9-2) and Greyhounds (10-1) ever since Class AAA perennial powerhouse General McLane dropped to Class AA following PIAA realignment.
But a Week 2 loss against Region 4-AA rival North East, helped the Lancers fall on the same side of the Class AA bracket with top-seeded Wilmington.
General McLane has won three of the previous six District 10, Class AAA championships, including the last two. The Lancers won a state title in 2006 when they beat Thomas Jefferson.
Wilmington, the two-time Class AA champ, has captured eight district titles since 1994 (six in Class AA and two in Class AAA).
“I think at the beginning of the year when (General McLane) dropped to Double-A — with winning a state title two years ago — that they would be a good team,” veteran Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said. “I knew they were having a good season and believed they’d be a playoff team. But if we’d meet them, I didn’t know?”
LAST WEEK
General McLane enters the semifinal matchup after a 42-28 quarterfinal victory in which it gained 569 yards on 56 carries against Greenville.
The Lancers, who are riding a nine-game winning streak, began the season with losses against Class AAA Erie Strong Vincent in nonregion action and North East, respectively.
“We got better throughout the entire year,” said General McLane coach Jim Wells, who has been at the helm for 12 seasons. “The kids have worked hard and improved. They’ve peaked at the right time and the hard work has paid off.”
The ’Hounds, who are ranked No. 10 in the PIAA Class AA poll by the Harrisburg Patriot-News, earned a 41-0 quarterfinal win over Girard last week. Wilmington limited Girard to 102 yards while gaining 379 yards.
The victory followed Wilmington’s lone loss — 22-21 to Karns City — during the regular season finale.
“Obviously, you don’t like to lose. You want to win and learn your lesson,” Verrelli said. “We’re definitely focused; you’re only as good as you are following you’re last game.
“We got the job done and I think it helped us get back to where we want to be with the goal we’ve set.”
JUST AS DANGEROUS
Like Verrelli’s ’Hounds, Wells’ Lancers have a wealth of talent in the backfield.
“They’re a great offensive team with speed.” Verrelli said. “They run the triple-option and have a super-fast quarterback with a quick halfback and a good fullback.”
Kellen O’Neill is General McLane’s quarterback. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound senior is the catalyst of the Lancers’ offensive scheme.
O’Neill has completed 32 of 59 attempts for 630 yards and seven touchdowns with only two interceptions. O’Neill has is even more dangerous with his legs, rushing for 1,613 yards and 21 touchdowns on 126 carries.
“Kellen is an outstanding player,” Wells said. “He’s done a great job leading the team. He’s a motivator on the field.”
O’Neill ran for 226 yards on 19 carries and scored on runs of 43, 40 and 3 yards against Greenville.
According to Wells, O’Neill has caught the eye of a few Division I programs such as Connecticut, Toledo and Eastern Illinois.
“It’s nice when you’re able to spread it around like we do,” Wells said. “Our fullback and slotbacks have been able to make big plays and our receivers are there when we go to them.”
Senior Sam McCaughtry, 5-10 and 175 pound pounds, has gained 704 yards and scored nine touchdowns on just 44 carries. That’s an incredible average of 16 yards per carry.
Junior Cory Lee fills the fullback slot. The 5-9, 185-pound Lee has gained 577 yards and eight touchdowns on 100 carries. Senior Kyle Majewski and junior Nick Lombardo also are likely to get carries.
General McLane’s kicker could also be a key factor in the game.
Sophomore David Olszewski has booted an impressive 56 consecutive extra-points attempts. He’s attempted just one field goal this season — a 45 yarder — and missed.
“It’s a different style (of offense),” Verrelli said. “But it’s not so much of the offense as much as the players they have running it.”
The Lancers are averaging 38 points per game while giving up 18.5.
“Without a doubt defense is going to be the name of the game,” Verrelli said. “They live on big plays.”
A FULL ARSENAL
Wells knows what to expect from Wilmington.
The ’Hounds continue to thrive with a versatile offense and stingy defense. Wilmington averages 41.5 points while allowing a measly 6.9 per outing. The Greyhounds have won via the mercy rule nine times.
“Wilmington is an outstanding team on both sides of the ball,” Wells said. “They are very physical with not many weaknesses. They run the ball well and they can throw it. They also tackle well.
“This is a team that is very well coached and deserving of its ranking.”
Derrick Burns paced the ’Hounds’ last week with 119 rushing yards and one touchdown on 10 carries against Girard. The 5-10, 195-pound junior ranks third in the county in rushing with 973 yards and 17 touchdowns on 165 carries.
Sutton Whiting (5-8, 150) scored a pair of rushing touchdowns last week and the sophomore running back has 530 yards and nine touchdowns on 64 carries.
Senior Luke Yohman (5-10, 160) and junior Jake DeMedal (6-1, 170) also are likely to be in the mix. Yohman has gained 340 yards and two touchdowns, while DeMedal has 267 yards and seven touchdowns.
“We have to tackle better than last week,” Wells said. “We had trouble with Greenville and we have to improve. We have to be in position to make plays and can’t afford not to do that against a team like Wilmington.”
Senior quarterback Shane Wagner (6-0, 185) completed 2 of 11 attempts with an interception for 67 yards and two touchdowns against Girard. For the year, Wagner has completed 65 of 128 attempts for 1,138 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
His cousin, senior Matt Wagner, leads Wilmington with 414 yards and seven touchdowns on 27 receptions. Against Girard, the 6-6, 180-pound receiver had two catches for 72 yards, one for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Nevertheless, the game plan doesn’t change for the ’Hounds.
“Defense. I don’t think there’s any question about it,” Verrelli said. “We can have a good offensive team, but your defense has to get your offense back on the field.
“What it boils down to is can we stop their option?”
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