By JOHN D’ABRUZZO

jdabruzzo@ncnewsonline.com

Chad Palladino knew what to expect.

As the Wilmington defense faced a crucial two-point conversion attempt, the junior did what he was supposed to do.

The 5-foot-9, 152-pound outside linebacker broke up a Martinsburg Central pass attempt that preserved a 21-19 victory for the Greyhounds in a quarterfinal game of the PIAA Class AA playoffs.

“We worked on it all week,” Palladino said. “We all knew what we had to do.

“We were in man (coverage) and I stuck to my man. I saw the quarterback roll out and I knew what I had to do.”

Besides the pass breakup, Palladino made three tackles and intercepted a pass.

“He was the one bright spot out there on defense,” Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said. “We got ourselves in trouble offensively and they were moving the ball on our defense. He made some big plays that changed things around.

“He’s been playing great all year.”

For his performance, Palladino is Lawrence County’s Athlete of the Week, as selected by The New Castle News sports staff. The award is sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy.

“He’s a very bright kid,” Verrelli said. “When you ask him to play a position, he picks it up right away and doesn’t make many mistakes.”

Following the Scarlet Dragons’ failed conversion attempt, Palladino and the rest of the Wilmington defense put together another stand when Central threatened with one last drive in the final seconds.

“It put a lot of pressure on us, but I think it really did help us to understand what we had to do,” Palladino said. “We definitely put pressure on the quarterback, making his decisions harder.”

Verrelli has watched Palladino progress.

“He’s a year older and knows how to play the position,” Verrelli said. “He’s got a year in under his belt and that’s important.

“You don’t have to think that much because you know what you’re doing and you get that extra step. That extra step makes the difference between a good defensive player and a great one.”

Palladino also has played a role for the ’Hounds in the backfield.

“On offense, I know what I need to do and I do it,” Palladino said. “But on defense, you can have a lot of different looks that you have to know and it’s reaction.

“A good running back goes in there, no matter how many carries he has, and he does the job when he has to.”

He has gained 150 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries.

“We have three or four running backs, so he’s not in there as often as the other guys, but he’s certainly capable,” Verrelli said. “Next year, he’s going to step in and be a great running back.”

The ’Hounds (13-1) will meet Aliquippa (12-2) in the state semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at Center High School.

“We have to understand our mistakes and come in knowing about (Aliquippa), understand what they can do and understand what we can do to win,” Palladino said.