Published Friday, Sept. 19, 1997
BACK TO HERALD...
Key MCAC games highlight weekend action
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer
It is just the fourth week of high school football, but most of what goes on this weekend could determine much of how the rest of the season will play out. Teams are kicking their conference schedules into high gear, and several big games are slated tonight and Saturday.
Wilmington, the No. 1-ranked Class AA team in the state, plays at Hickory tonight for the early lead in the Mercer County Athletic Conference AA division. Then there is Kennedy Christian at Sharpsville for a Class A battle Saturday night. And also Saturday, Farrell, coming off its first loss in almost a year, travels to South Side Beaver for a key Big 7 contest.
And the Class AAA teams, Grove City and Slippery Rock, play a pair of Class AA teams. Why are these important? Because Sharon, which plays at Slippery Rock, already defeated the Eagles, while Mercer, which defeated Slippery Rock, plays Grove City.
Remember, common opponents count for Grove City and Slippery Rock, along with the outcome of their game, for the AAA playoff berth.
Here's a look at tonight's games:
Wilmington (3-0, 0-0) at Hickory (3-0, 2-0)
Hickory is off to what some would consider a surprising start, including a 2-0 record at home, but has yet to play a team the caliber of Wilmington.``Every season has new twists,'' said Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli. ``You have to put everything together and see what happens. But we're 3-0 and can't complain. We're improving every week.''
The Hounds' Hammer defense was in full effect last week in a 55-0 rout of Slippery Rock, holding the Rockets to 9 total yards and no first downs.
Meanwhile, the offense is averaging almost 43 points/game led by Todd Smargiasso, who has started the season as the most efficient quarterback in the MCAC. He is 19 of 24 for 469 yards (156.3 yards/game) and 8 TDs.
``He's played in three games, and only a half of a couple,'' Verrelli said. ``He's had a wonderful start. He loves the game and works hard at it.''
Smargiasso's favorite target is speedy wideout Demetrious Rich, who has nine catches for 261 yards (29 yards/catch) and 5 TDs.
Then there is the backfield of Doug Dudash and Jon Tekac. Dudash is averaging 12.9 yards/carry and has 296 yards over the first three games. Tekac is averaging 17.5 yards/carry. Dudash has 7 TDs and Tekac 3.
``That's a key, we have speed throughout the backfield,'' Verrelli said. ``Not only that but they're good athletes.''
Despite an impressive season-opening win over Brookfield, the Hornets have ``won ugly'' the last two games. Against Reynolds, Hickory held on 19-14, while giving up nearly 300 yards on the ground. Then last week, Hickory beat Mercer, 28-16, while taking advantage of five Mercer fumbles.
In those two games combined, the Hornets were flagged 15 times for 110 yards.
The big part of Hickory's success has been its running backs. Antuane Cornelius leads the team with 90 yards/game (40-270), while Tony Pozar 85.3 yards/game (56-256) and Terrence Gash 75.7 yards/game (27-277) aren't far behind. Pozar leads the team in scoring with 4 TDs, while Cornelius and Gash each have 3.
Mercer (0-3) at Grove City (1-2)
The Eagles may be back on track after two tough losses to open the season. Grove City, behind the running of Jason Russell, demolished Reynolds last week, 26-7.Russell, moving from running back to fullback, ran 24 times for 172 yards and a pair of scores. Quarterback Justin Bell also picked up his play, completing 6 of 12 passes for 54 yards and a TD.
Mercer, on the other hand, fumbled away its 28-16 loss against Hickory. Mustang runners coughed up the ball five times in the first half alone and the Hornets capitalized en route to a 20-6 halftime lead.
Tom Golden, despite three fumbles, had the best night of any area running back, rushing 24 times for 219 yards and a pair of scores.
Sharon (2-1) at Slippery Rock (1-2)
The Tigers are looking to bounce back from a tough 28-7 loss to Cathedral Prep at Erie Veteran's Stadium, a defeat that dropped Sharon from No. 4 to No. 6 in the state Class AA rankings.Running back T.J. Phillips had his worst outing of the short season, managing just 80 yards on 21 attempts, but still leads area rushers with 150 yards/game. Jeff Valentino recorded the Tigers' lone score, his third rushing TD.
The Rockets are also looking to rebound from a humbling 55-0 defeat at the hands of Wilmington.
Reynolds (0-3) at Laurel (2-1)
Reynolds is in the unenviable position of playing the No. 3 Class AA team in the state on the road. Laurel's only loss this season came the first week to No. 1-ranked Wilmington, 28-6.The Raiders were blown out on their home field last week to then-winless Grove City. Reynolds' defense gave up 317 yards on the ground and 371 total.
Quarterback Chad Holzshu was a bright spot, completing 8 of 16 passes for 115 yards, while Bob Shellenbarger hauled in 4 receptions for 72 yards.
Conneaut Valley (2-1) at West Middlesex (0-3)
West Middlesex dropped its MCAC A opener last week to Sharpsville, 47-0, and the Big Reds of first-year coach Rick Resatar were down 40-0 at the half.The Indians topped Conneaut Valley last week by scoring 19 second-half points, as Bill Blood led the way, scoring a pair of TDs, and Jason Blood added 62 yards on 14 carries.
Conneaut Lake (0-3, 0-2) at Lakeview (0-3, 0-1)
Lakeview nearly gave first-year coach Jim Walter his first victory last Saturday but the Sailors fell to Cochranton, 27-20.Travis Quillen, playing in his first game at quarterback, went 10 of 21 for 197 yards and threw TD passes to Mark Kaltenbaugh, Brandon Slater and George Spence. Quillen was playing in place of injured Jeremy English (arm).
Conneaut Lake fell to Conneaut Valley, 19-7, after holding a 7-6 halftime lead. The Lakers' two second-half fumbles were partly responsible for their downfall.
Champion (1-2) at Brookfield (1-2)
At least on paper, this game is a toss-up. The teams have identical records, and the Warriors are scoring 17.3 ppg. and are giving up 23.3, while Champion is scoring 18.3 and allowing 24.3.Sophomore fullback Jason Sanata has blossomed under first-year coach Jeff Bruno. Sanata is second on the team in scoring and leads it in rushing with 231 yards on 42 carries. Quarterback Steve Blasko is no slouch either, netting 215 yards on 16-of-38 passing. He leads the team in scoring with 3 TDs.
Running back Chris Roberts leads the Flashes, gaining 425 yards on 73 carries (141 yards/game).
Lakeview (1-2) at Hubbard (2-1)
The Eagles are coming off a 21-0 debacle at Struthers last week.The backfield duo of Carmen Tanferno and Frank Harris has been formidable, however, as both are averaging over 100 yards-per-game and have scored 42 of the team's 66 points this year.
Quarterback Scott Anderson leads the Bulldogs, completing 12 of 30 passes for 241 yards and 4 TDs.
