By TODD KRISE

t_krise@ncnewsonline.com

Fool Sean Christofferson once, shame on you.

Fool him twice ... well, that just doesn’t happen.

The Sharon High football team found out the hard way in last week’s District 10, Class AA championship game.

Christofferson, Wilmington’s dynamic defensive tackle, broke through the Tigers’ formation and blocked a fourth-quarter punt, setting the Greyhounds up on Sharon’s 38-yard line.

Running back Sutton Whiting scored from 20 yards out to give Wilmington a 12-0 lead on its way to a fourth straight district title.

“They just went silent three and the backer went down three times and they just snapped the ball,” Christofferson said of Sharon’s snap counts. “I just followed that the whole game.

“I knew their snap count, and I blew right past them. I just jumped up and got lucky, I guess.”

Christofferson also recorded several sacks and tackles for loss, earning him the Lawrence County Athlete of the Week award, as selected by the New Castle News Sports staff. The honor is sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy.

“We needed a big play,” Christofferson said of the block. “I’ve come close a few times this year, but never got one. I was pretty happy to get one.

“I told defensive tackle Ryan Welch that one of us was going to get one and it came during an important game. I’m glad we got it now instead of a game when we didn’t need it.”

The play is a small sample of Christofferson’s outstanding senior season. According to Maxpreps.com, the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder leads the ’Hounds in tackles (85) and sacks (7).

Christofferson also helps anchor a veteran offensive line that includes fellow seniors Welch, Randy Montalvo, Brad Zaboroski and Joe Bloise. By the end of the season, Wilmington could boast two 1,000-yard rushers in Whiting (1,158) and Derrick Burns (960).

According to Verrelli, the last and only time the ’Hounds had two 1,000-yard rushers came in 1997 when both Doug Dudash and Jon Tekac surpassed the milestone.

“He’s quick for a big kid,” ’Hounds coach Terry Verrelli said of Christofferson. “He just does a great job, offensively and defensively. He should be proud of what he’s accomplished, for sure, because he’s worked for it.”

Christofferson’s most impressive feat this year may have come off the field when he became a member of Wilmington football’s prestigious 1,000-pound club. Only five other players in Verrelli’s 31-year coaching tenure have lifted more than 1,000 pounds in the bench press, power clean and squat.

“That says that he is willing to work,” Verrelli said. “It doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s a lot. Guys that are big squatters, sometimes they can’t power clean or they’re not good benchers, so to have all three of them to get to 1,000 is tough. That’s why there are only six.”

Christofferson said he has grown physically and mentally throughout the last four years. In junior high, he was “heavy” and not “real athletic.” But a growth spurt in ninth grade transformed him into the force he is today.

“He was kind of short and stocky,” Christofferson’s cousin, quarterback Jake DeMedal, said. “I was always taller than him. In eighth or ninth grade he really shot up.”

“I’m left handed so he’s pretty much my blind-side tackle for all passing,” he added. “It’s nice to know that you have a big, strong kid back there like him. I feel safe with him back there.”

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THE SEAN CHRISTOFFERSON FILE

POSITION: Offensive and defensive tackle

TEAM: Wilmington

GRADE: 12

KNOWN FOR: Christofferson is a force on Wilmington’s offensive and defensive lines. His fourth-quarter punt block against Sharon in the District 10, Class AA championship game helped the Greyhounds to their fourth straight district title.

PARENTS: Scott and Kimberlee Christofferson

FAVORITE PRO TEAM AND WHY: Denver Broncos. “My dad used to like them when I was little. Ever since then, they’ve been my favorite team.”

FAVORITE COLLEGE TEAM AND WHY: Penn State. “It’s just Pennsylvania, I guess — hometown team.”

FAVORITE PRO PLAYER AND WHY: James Harrison. “I don’t really like the (Pittsburgh) Steelers, but I like him. He just plays the game and is good.”

FUTURE PLANS: Christofferson has not selected a college, but plans to major in either biology or chemistry. He is uncertain if he will continue his playing career at the collegiate level.