The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Friday, Sept. 12, 1997
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  • WEEK 3 PREVIEW
    Sharpsville begins quest for Class A repeat

    By Brad Isles
    Herald Sports Writer

    Heading into the season, Sharpsville was picked by many to finish atop the Mercer County Athletic Conference Class A standings for the second straight season.

    The Blue Devils have their first opportunity to prove the prognosticators correct tonight, as Sharpsville (2-0) travels down Route 18 to winless West Middlesex (0-2), led by first-year coach Rick Resatar.

    The Blue Devils have been impressive in their first two games, both against French Creek Valley Conference schools, averaging of 36.5 points per game, while recording back-to-back shutouts.

    Sophomore Justin Napotnik has led the way, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, catching 9 passes for 227 yards, and leading the team with 6 TDs. Justin's brother, senior quarterback John, has been stellar as well, going 18 for 29 with 356 yards.

    Jon Misinay leads West Middlesex out of the backfield. He had an 11-carry, 92-yard performance the first week of the season.

    Here's a look at this weekend's other games:

    Sharon (2-0) at Cathedral Prep (2-0)

    Picked by some in the county to be facing a down year, the Tigers are proving the naysayers wrong after impressive wins the first two weeks of the season. Sharon currently is the No. 4 Class AA team in the state.

    Star running back T.J. Phillips has led the way with two 100-yard rushing games, including a 217-yard outburst against Ursuline, and he leads the Tigers with 4 TDs.

    Quarterback Jeff Valentino also has stepped up his play of late, going 11 of 19 for 231 yards with a pair of TD tosses against Grove City last week.

    Cathedral Prep's wins have come against a pair of out-of-state teams _ Washington D.C. Ballou, 54-12, then Buffalo St. Francis, 27-14. Last year Prep also won its first two games, but then lost its next eight, including a 19-10 verdict to Sharon, to end the season.

    Running back Marc Limano (32-202, 4 TDs) has led the way, and been complemented by Steve Noonen (11-91, 1 TD).

    Grove City (0-2) at Reynolds (0-2) This interclassification game features two first-year coaches _ Jeff Bell of Grove City and Reynolds' Roger Shoaff _ looking for their first wins.

    Sharon dominated the Eagles last week en route to a deceiving 25-14 final score. The Eagles' defense gave up 417 total yards while their offense had just 22 total yards after a first-quarter 52-yard run by Rickey Currence.

    Reynolds, meanwhile, gave Hickory a run on the Hornets' home turf, losing 19-14. Josh Hauser, a state track-qualifying hurdler, led the Raiders with 192 yards on 16 carries, including touchdown runs of 76 and 29 yards.

    Slippery Rock (1-1) at Wilmington (2-0)

    Wilmington, the top-ranked Class AA team in the state according to the Harrisburg Patriot-News, has showed why its held the No. 1 position the first two weeks with impressive wins over Laurel (ranked No. 5 in AA in the state) and Class A West Middlesex. The 'Hounds shouldn't have any problem against Class AAA Slippery Rock.

    Wilmington's all-around attack is too strong, led by senior QB Todd Smargiasso, who was the picture of efficiency last week against the Big Reds: a perfect 7-for-7 for 126 yards with 4 TD tosses. Demetrious Rich hauled in 2 TD receptions and added another on a punt return. Not to be outdone was Jon Tekac, who had scoring runs of 59 and 8 yards and 96 yards rushing on only 6 carries.

    Last week running back Doug Bowser led the Rockets to their first win of the season (24-10 over Mercer), as the senior had 202 yards and scored on runs of 50, 16 and 21 yards.

    Farrell (2-0) at Monaca (2-0)

    Farrell, still the No. 1 Class A team in the state, enabled coach Lou Falconi to record his 150th career victory after a 12-6 win against rival Aliquippa last week.

    Monaca was a 28-13 winner over South Fayette last week after it edged Riverview, 21-14, in its opener.

    The Steelers are sticking to their new-found devotion to the passing game. Quarterback Rennie Gash is 12 of 31 for 203 yards and 3 TDs so far.

    Jason Kennedy, one of the area's top rushers last season, is averaging only 61 yards/game so far.

    Hickory (2-0) at Mercer (0-2)

    Hickory hits the road for the first time this season after after recording wins in its first two games at its brand new million dollar facility. On the other hand, Mercer plays its first home game and is still looking for its first victory.

    The Hornets' trio of running backs, Terrance Gash (9.2 yards/carry, 2 TDs), Tony Pozar (102.5 yards/game, 3 TDs) and Antuane Cornelius (84.5 yards/game, 1 TD) are the big reason behind the team's early success.

    Mercer quarterback Joe Ziccardi is still looking for a break-out game and will need one against Hickory if the Mustangs hope to stay alive in the competitive MCAC Class AA playoff race.

    Greenville (2-0) at Franklin (0-2)

    The Trojans are coming off their first Northwest Conference win, 27-6, over Class AAAA Meadville, and are a Class AAA honorable mention in the state rankings.

    Joe Korcinsky is continuing his quest to become the most prolific rusher in county history. He has 269 yards and 6 TDs the first two games and now has 3,582 yards and 372 points (66 TDs) in his career.

    Korcinsky trails ex-Greenville star Andy Blatt (3,677) for seventh place on the all-time rushing list by 95 yards and the all-time leader, Sharon's Mike Archie (5,136), by 1,554. Archie also leads the all-time scoring list with 456 points (75 TDs).

    Franklin lost 13-12 to Warren in overtime last week.

    Struthers (2-0) at Hubbard (2-0)

    Hubbard has had an easy time of it so far, outscoring its opponents by an average of 33-9.5.

    Running back Frank Harris has led the way averaging almost 90 yards/game and scoring a pair of TDs.

    Struthers wideout Matt Rupe had 5 catches for 111 yards and a score last week.

    Brookfield (1-1) at Perry (2-0)

    The Warriors gave first-year coach Jeff Bruno his initial win at the helm by narrowly edging Girard, 13-10, last week, and hopes to make it two in a row against Perry, 30-23 winners over Kenston a week ago.

    Sophomore fullback Jason Sanata led the Warriors against Girard, gaining 140 yards on 21 carries with a TD.

    SATURDAY
    Maplewood (1-1) at Kennedy Christian (1-1)

    The Golden Eagles are coming off an impressive 55-16 rout of LaBrae.

    Kennedy quarterback Shawn McClure was 4 of 8 for 139 yards, and three of his completions were for scores, including a pair to Jemille Cecil. Scott Renninger added an 11-carry, 96-yard, 3-TD outing.

    Maplewood, of the FCVC, lost to Union City a week ago, 29-6. Running back Dan Sposkoski led the way with 16 carries for 81 yards and a TD.

    Lakeview (0-2) at Cochranton (1-1)

    The Sailors are still searching for their first victory under first-year coach Jim Walter after being blown out by FCVC-leading Cambridge Springs, 48-6, last week.

    The Sailors' defense has been suspect in their two games, allowing an average of 43 ppg.

    Cochranton is also coming off a blowout, 34-0, at the hands of Conneaut Valley, though Rick Hogue had 52 yards rushing.




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    Updated Sept. 12, 1997
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