PIAA PLAYOFFS: Wilmington to meet unbeaten Forest Hills
Written: Dec 04, 2009
 By RON PONIEWASZ JR.
rponiewasz@ncnewsonline.com
The road to another repeat is about to begin for the Wilmington High football team.
Last week, the Greyhounds secured the program’s fourth straight District 10 championship and 10th crown overall with a 19-0 verdict over Sharon.
“These seniors, they won a District 10 championship all fours years they played varsity football here,” Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said. “It’s always a big thrill and that’s your goal; it’s the pinnacle of what you’re after.”
The win propels Wilmington (12-1) into the PIAA Class AA playoffs and a date with Forest Hills (13-0) at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s George P. Miller Stadium.
“I think that’s exactly what it is,” Verrelli said of setting a new goal for a state championship. “You have to approach it in a different way; you have to refocus it in another way.
“It’s a long season and as exciting as it is, it still wears you down.”
The Rangers advanced with a 17-14 decision over Tyrone in the District 6 championship game. It was the eighth District 6 title for Forest Hills, champions of the Laurel Highlands League.
“They’re a big team that’s for sure,” Verrelli said. “They’re a power running team and they’ll throw, but that’s not their game. Their main objective is to run you over.”
COACHES IN SPOTLIGHT
The showdown will match two of Pennsylvania’ winningest high school football coaches. Together, their teams have won 548 games.
Forest Hills coach Don Bailey recorded his 300th career victory on Nov. 6 in a 43-6 decision over Somerset in the regular season finale. Bailey, who is in his 36th year, has 303 wins.
“I’ve never won one of those games,” Bailey said. “Players win the games and we’ve had a lot of players contribute. Winning 300 games just means I’ve been around a long time.”
Verrelli’s teams have compiled a 245-102-3 record in 32 seasons. He said in a 2008 interview, “Coaches win practices, but players win games.”
Wilmington claimed the state crown last year with a 35-34 double-overtime win over Philadelphia West Catholic. The Greyhounds opened the state playoffs last year with a 21-19 verdict over Martinsburg Central, which had topped Forest Hills the week before for the District 6 crown.
The Greyhounds are the only defending state champion still alive. Thomas Jefferson (Class AAA) and Steelton-Highspire (Class A) lost two weeks ago, while Liberty (Class AAAA) was eliminated three weeks ago.
FOREST HILLS WEAPONS
Nick Dudukovich, a 6-foot, 200-pound junior running back, leads Forest Hills in rushing with 1,716 yards and 22 touchdowns on 208 carries.
“He’s obviously a good running back,” Verrelli said. “They run the ball well and they have big linemen.
“There’s nothing flashy about him. He’s a hard-nosed running back with good speed.”
Zack Glessner, a 6-3, 195-pound senior quarterback, is 75 of 127 for 1,086 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions.
“From what we have seen, he can throw it and they will spread you out,” Verrelli said. “That’s not what they want to do; if it’s not a tough game for them, they may not throw it at all.
“They’re a balanced team. They kind of want to run you over and sneak a pass in every now and then. You wouldn’t consider Glessner a running quarterback like Sharon’s quarterbacks.”
Chris Moss, a 6-1, 195-pound senior wide receiver, is Glessner’s favorite target. He has hauled in 28 passes for 337 yards with four touchdowns.
The Rangers’ stingy defense allows just 6.3 points a contest.
“They look very good,” Verrelli said. “They’re big and sometimes it’s difficult to move them. The biggest thing is they’re very big on that line and their linebackers are aggressive.”
LEADING THE WAY
Quarterback Jake DeMedal directs the potent Wilmington attack. DeMedal ranks fourth in Lawrence County in passing with 891 yards. The 6-2, 175-pound senior is 58 of 100 with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
“DeMedal has very good speed,” Bailey said. “He runs the ball well. He throws it well, too, with a nice touch on the ball.
“I think he’s a very good quarterback with good size; he’s a very good athlete.”
Sutton Whiting and Derrick Burns pace the Greyhounds’ ground game. Whiting, a 5-8, 155-pound junior running back, leads the county with 1,158 rushing yards on 118 carries. He also leads in touchdowns (21) and scoring (130).
Whiting has scored 14 of his touchdowns in the last five games.
“We’re very concerned about Whiting,” Bailey said. “He has outstanding moves and quickness with quite a burst. He can take it the distance from anywhere on the field.”
Burns, a 5-11, 205-pound senior running back and University of Pittsburgh recruit, has accumulated 909 rushing yards on 89 carries with 18 scores. He ranks second in scoring with 110 points.
“Burns has both size and speed; that’s a dangerous combination,” Bailey said. “Nobody has contained that offense all year and we have to figure out a way to do that.”
STINGY DEFENSE, TOO
Wilmington’s defense has posted five shutouts and gives up 8.8 points a game. The Greyhounds surrendered 21 points in each of their first two District 10 playoff games before last week’s shutout.
“They play a multiple 4-4 defense,” Bailey said. “They stop the run very well and not many teams throw it on them.
“They will rush the passer; they’re just a very good football team, that’s why they’re 12-1.”
The victor advances to the PIAA western final and will meet the survivor of the Bedford-Greensburg Central Catholic game. Bedford (6-6) advanced with a 26-23 triple-overtime decision over Karns City, while the Centurions claimed the WPIAL crown with a 33-7 decision over Aliquippa.
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