Crunch Personal Injury
Wilmington’s Way: Donati’s belief in system leads to big performance

Wilmington’s Way: Donati’s belief in system leads to big performance

Written: Nov 02, 2011
Article Video Gallery
By Joe Simon

New Castle News

It’s the very concept that’s made Wilmington High one of the premier football programs in Pennsylvania.

And it wasn’t lost on Gunnar Donati.

“Football is a team sport,” said Donati, a senior running back for the Greyhounds. “It’s not about just one person. I wouldn’t be able to go anywhere without my linemen, and those (running) backs, they block for me; I’ll block for them. I don’t care how many times I get the ball, as long as we win. I’ll do my part.”

His role increased last Saturday in a 34-6 win over Warren (Ohio) John F. Kennedy.

The speedy back rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns on a personal-best 17 carries. He also made the most of his one catch, which went for a 15-yard touchdown. The senior’s performance made him Lawrence County’s Athlete of the Week, an award sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy and selected by the New Castle News sports staff.

Longtime Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said something very similar to Donati’s quote. It wasn’t scripted, and neither heard the other blurt out the thought. It’s just the Wilmington way.

“This year’s team is very unselfish,” Verrelli said. “(Gunnar) does what he has to do. Anyone who’s a running back would like to have 100 yards every game, but I spread (the ball) all around. You may have 110 yards this game and 70 or 60 the next. Kids who can’t accept that, it just creates a problem within your team. And this team isn’t like that at all. They understand the offense and how I want to run it and that they’re not the featured back. So he does his role and accepts it very well.”

The quick and shifty Donati is one of four Wilmington running backs who receives multiple carries on a game-to-game basis. Donati’s top-end speed and agility in the open field add a another dimension to one of the elite rushing attacks in Lawrence County. The 5-foot-8, 145-pound Donati has compiled 537 yards and five touchdowns on 72 carries. That’s the seventh most in the county and second best for Wilmington (8-1), which again shows its incredible balance in the backfield.

“Gunnar can take off, make a quick cut and accelerate,” Verrelli said. “Speed doesn’t make you a running back. You’ve got to be able to cut and spin off of people and so one, and he does a good job of that. He’s more of a slash runner.

“He’s running with confidence, more than he had in the past,” Verrelli added. “He’s really come around, and I think experience over the years and this being his senior year, he’s really stepped up big time.”

Donati certainly makes the best of his opportunities. Among running backs with at least 50 carries, his 7.4 yards-per-carry average is second best in the county (only trailing teammate Ryan Crawford). But Donati is more than just an offensive threat. He’s also one of the Greyhounds’ top defensive backs, a lockdown corner with solid tackling skills. Again, it’s his speed that allows him to flourish, a physical attribute he’s enjoyed since childhood.

“I’ve always been blessed with it,” said Donati, who’s also a standout on the Wilmington track and field team. “When I was younger I was always running around the neighborhood playing tag and backyard football.”

Kids probably had just as much trouble catching him then as they do now.

*****

THE GUNNAR DONATI FILE

POSITION: Running back/defensive back

TEAM: Wilmington

GRADE: 12

KNOWN FOR: Donati is one of the fastest players in Lawrence County. Also a track star for the Greyhounds, Donati has accumulated 537 yards and five touchdowns on 72 carries.

PARENTS: Melanie Miller and Joe Donati.

FAVORITE PRO PLAYER AND WHY: Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens safety. “He’s one of those people who can change a game real quick. He’s super talented and a good team leader and motivator.”

FAVORITE PRO TEAM AND WHY: Baltimore Ravens. “I like their defense. They’re hard hitters — Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed. I just like how they play.”

FUTURE PLANS: Donati said he wants to study criminal justice in college and is considering playing football.
Copyright © 2024 CrunchOnline
All Rights Reserved