Forget records when Wilmington and Sharon clash
Written: Oct 20, 2011
  By Joe Sager
New Castle News
The Wilmington High football team wants a championship.
Sharon just hopes for another win.
Even though the stakes aren’t as high this year, the annual District 10, Region 3-AA rivalry resumes at 7 p.m. tomorrow on the Greyhounds’ home turf.
The game marks another chapter in the decades-long competition between the two programs. Usually, playoff implications are on the line when the two teams meet. This year, though, the Tigers (1-2 region, 1-6 overall) have struggled.
“I know we’re not having the type of season we set out to have. But, it’s still Sharon-Wilmington,” Sharon coach Bob Fromm said. “It’s a healthy rivalry. Hopefully, everyone involved will enjoy it. This is why you get into coaching and play high school football is to get in games like this. It’ll be exciting down there.”
Beyond bragging rights, the outcome is extremely important for Wilmington (4-0, 6-1). A win locks up the outright Region 3 title as this is the team’s last region game of the season.
“It’s a big rivalry every year, no matter what the records are,” Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said. “They have a lot of good, skilled people. They are struggling a little bit. But, we always expect a game when we play Sharon.”
Also, the ’Hounds may like to get some revenge from last season when Sharon beat Wilmington twice — 20-14 in the regular season and 14-7 in the D-10 Class AA semifinals.
“The players know what’s at stake. It’s still the eighth game of the year, though,” Verrelli said. “You just have to play the game and not think about what it’s worth. It’s just another game you have to win. We’re trying to treat it as another game against a team we’ve always had some great games with.”
Despite Sharon’s struggles, the Tigers are a touchdown from being 2-1 in the region and 4-3 overall. They dropped close region decisions to Farrell (28-27), Titusville (14-6) and Fort LeBoeuf (38-36) in nonregion action.
“We’ve really been bit by the injury bug like I have never seen before. From week to week, we have had a different guy out,” Fromm said. “I think Week 1 was the only week we were healthy. Since then, a different guy or guys have been out. High ankle sprains, broken bones or bruised kidneys — we have it all and we really don’t discriminate. It’s been tough for us to develop consistency on offense. We’ve made no excuses about it. I think we’ve gone through the worst part of it. We’re just playing with our pride right now and trying to get better each day.”
Sharon has one of D-10’s top dual-threat quarterbacks in Jason Ondic. The senior has passed for 415 yards and run for 387 more.
“He is one of our more seasoned and experienced kids,” Fromm said. “But, with our injuries, defenses have been able to key on him a little more than usual.”
Containing Ondic is a priority for the ’Hounds.
“I think he is certainly the key to their team. He throws ball well and he is probably their main runner. They have other good skill people, but he is the key,” Verrelli said. “They spread you out in the shotgun and that leaves less people there to contain him. That’s what we’re working on is what we can do to contain him.
“I think we have to stop the big play, stop the pass. They will definitely be throwing the ball,” he continued. “Moving the ball offensively is always a major part to help out defensively.”
Other than against Grove City (17-0 loss), Wilmington has been able to move the ball well. Ryan Crawford leads the ’Hounds’ balanced attack with 596 yards rushing on 66 carries. Anthony Derrick (76 carries, 358 yards) and Gunnar Donati (48, 338) have had success as well.
Josh Tekac has passed for 333 yards and five touchdowns. Donnie Watson has six catches for 161 yards, while Derrick (8, 92) and Cameron Rossi (6, 92) are next. Overall, Derrick has nine touchdowns and Crawford has eight.
“I think (balance) is the key to our offense. There are several guys who run the ball and catch it. That’s the way I like to run the offense,” Verrelli said. “As long as we’re capable of doing it, that’s what I think makes it difficult to defend against.
“We’re happy with the way the kids have played so far. We have to get better. We want to be in the playoffs and you have to be a good football team. We’re working every day to improve.”
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