Published Friday, Sept. 26, 1997
BACK TO HERALD...
Sharpsville, Wilmington in battle of `small school' powers
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer
The Sharpsville High football team is coming off what is anually its biggest game of the season _ its Class A league matchup against Kennedy Christian.
Now, just one week later, the Blue Devils (4-0) have their second-biggest game of the young season, and the playoffs are still weeks away.
Sharpsville, ranked seventh in the state in Class A by the Harrisburg Patriot-News, travels to Wilmington, also undefeated at 4-0 and the top ranked Class AA team in the state. The 'Hounds also have a 23-game regular season winning streak at stake.
``We're very fortunate because the seniors we have, not only were they looking at Kennedy, they want to prove to everybody what we can do against Wilmington,'' said Sharpsville coach Paul Piccirilli. ``Now obviously, Wilmington is probably bigger, faster, stronger and, player for player, is better than us, but kids are tough here. We always had tough kids at Sharpsville. They need a little bit of guidance and I'll tell you one thing, they can't wait for (tonight's) game.''
The game features the Mercer County Athletic Conference's top two offenses, top two passers and both are in the top three in defense.
Wilmington is averaging 44.3 points/game and 385 total yards/game, while Sharpsville is posting 37.8. points and 378.3 total yards. Sharpsville's defense has given up just one TD its first four games and is allowing 113.5 total yards. The Greyhounds have allowed 16 points and are permitting only a stingy 50 yards/game.
``When two good teams get together, defense is really the key to everything.'' said Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli. ``If you're gonna move on down the road and be a good team, you've gotta play good defense.''
Hoping to lead their respective offenses through the brick-wall defenses are Wilmington quarterback Todd Smargiasso and Devils' John Napotnik.
Smargiasso has thrown just six incompletions _ one an interception _ en route to leading the league by hitting on 22 of 28 passes for 579 yards and 9 TDs.
Napotnik is right behind him, completing 36 of 56 for 553 yards and 5 TDs. He currently is third in passing in Herald coverage area records with 264 completions in 534 attempts (49 percent) for 3,246 total career yards. Napotnik trails Brookfield's Rob Davies (3,691) and Grove City's Brian Cavanaugh (3,534).
``Sharpsville is a great football team,'' Verrelli said. ``They have a lot of talented kids. They catch the ball well, they have an excellent quarterback who can scramble and can throw the ball well. They're just a good, fired-up football team.''
Both teams also feature talented backfields. Sharpsville has Justin Napotnik, who leads the MCAC in scoring with 11 TDs and averages 87.5 yards/game on the ground. He also has 11 receptions for 240 yards.
Wilmington has the tandem of Doug Dudash and Jon Tekac, both of whom average more than 10 yards/carry and have 9 and 5 TDs, respectively. On the outside is Demetrius Rich (10 catches, 285 yards) who has 7 TDs.
``I think the difficult thing, when you rank somebody No. 1 in the state or they predict you to be the champions of the league, it becomes difficult motivating and making sure you don't get overconfident,'' Verrelli said. ``And teams come in fired up to play you. They want a shot at the so-called best team around. Sharpsville has done a great job themselves _ they haven't lost _ and this is an opportunity for them to play a so-called ranked football team, as well as (represent) themselves.''
Both teams are relatively healthy, with Wilmington lineman Ryan Gargasz probable despite a knee injury. Out for the Blue Devils is starting center and defensive tackle Josh Hamder, who injured his ankle two weeks ago, and made it through just one play against Kennedy Christian. Also out is linebacker Jim Tucker to a knee injury, and despite a pierced ear drum, Justin Napotnik is probable.
Hickory (2-1, 3-1) at Sharon (0-0, 3-1)
Hickory fell victim to Wilmington's wrath a week ago, gaining just 43 yards in losing their first MCAC AA game of the season. Meanwhile veteran Sharon coach Jim Wildman recorded his 160th career victory with a 24-0 win over AAA Slippery Rock.Sharon QB Jeff Valentino continued his strong play, throwing and rushing for TDs en route to the win. He also completed a pair of 2-point conversions. He is third in the MCAC behind Smargiasso and Napotnik with 32 completions in 58 attempts for 490 yards and 3 TDs.
T.J. Phillips is currently 16th in county history with 2,558 career yards and leads the MCAC this season with 579.
Grove City (2-2) at Brookville (2-1)
The Eagles are hot, winning their last two games by an aggregate score of 54-21 after disappointing losses their first two games of the campaign.The play of their defense has been the key. Grove City is surrendering 15 points/game and 230 yards/game. Special teams has also been a factor. Against Mercer last week the Eagles blocked a punt and an extra point en route to a 28-14 victory.
Neshannock (1-1, 3-1) at Farrell (0-2, 2-2)
Farrell is in a position it hasn't been in for quite a while after losing two consecutive games for the first time since 1994. The Steelers know they must win their final five regular season games for a shot at the playoffs and an opportunity to win their third straight state title.Farrell seemed to have its game against South Side Beaver locked up last week but ended up losing 20-12. The Steelers went back to their running game, after spending the first three weeks passing the ball, and outgained the Rams 213-69 on the ground. Jason Kennedy had his first 100-yard game of the year, totalling 117 on 20 carries.
West Middlesex (0-4) at Mercer (0-4)
Both teams are looking for their first win in this MCAC interclassification game. The Class AA Mustangs have been close, giving Grove City a battle last week, while the Class A Big Reds have struggled offensively, tallying just 18 points so far.Tom Golden has led the Mustangs with 300 yards in three games, but it is unknown whether or not he'll play after suffering a shoulder injury against Grove City.
Erie East (0-3, 0-3) at Greenville (3-0, 4-0)
Greenville leads the Northwest Conference and is gearing up for a big showdown with Titusville next week. But the Trojans can't overlook East, even though it's winless.The Trojans romped over Warren a week ago as coach Bob Stone and running back Joe Korcinsky set milestones. Stone, with a career record of 157-40-6, moved into second place on Mercer County's all-time football win list. Korcinsky moved into third place on the all-time rushing list as he increased his career total to 3,912 after a 159-yard performance. He trails former Sharon and Penn State standout and current Tennessee Oilers reserve Mike Archie (5,136) and former Reynolds great Ron Park (4,537).
Slippery Rock (1-3) at Reynolds (0-4)
The Rockets struggled in their loss to Sharon last week, netting a slim 153 yards, including 2 passing. Sophomore quarterback Gregg Grupp has struggled, completing just 6 of 29 passes for 37 yards.Reynolds had a tough game last week against Laurel, the No. 4 Class AA team in the state and came home with a respectable 31-14 loss. But respectable isn't good enough for first-year coach Roger Shoaff who is still looking for his initial victory. Running back Josh Hauser (92.8 yards/game) could run wild against a Rockets defense surrendering 230 yards/game on the ground.
Lakeview (0-4, 0-4) at Conneaut Valley (2-1, 3-1)
Lakeview is still looking for win No. 1 for first-year coach Jim Walter but is coming off a 27-0 blanking at the hands of Conneaut Lake last week. Walter now has two QBs to choose from as Jeremy English returned to the lineup last week after an arm injury and went 1 of 3 for 45 yards. While he was out, Travis Quillen was 12 of 32 for 212 yards 3 TDs.Conneaut Valley is also coming off a shutout, a 24-0 win over West Middlesex. Robert Burnham scored on a pair of 8-yard runs and caught two 2-point conversions.
Brookfield (0-1, 1-3) at Lakeview, Ohio (0-1, 1-3)
Quarterback Steve Blasko leads the Warriors, as each team wants to get Trumbull Athletic Conference win No. 1 out of the way.Blasko is 25 of 53 for 382 yards and a TD when he drops back, but is just as potent running the ball. He has rushed for nearly 300 yards and leads the team in scoring with 4 TDs.
Hubbard (1-0, 3-1) at LaBrae (0-0, 0-4)
The Warriors are led by two powerful backs who average over 100 yards on the ground each game. Frank Harris has nearly 500 yards en route to a 124.8 per-game average. Backfield mate Carmen Tanferno is right behind him at 104.3 yards/game. They have combined for 11 TDs.
SATURDAY
Kennedy Christian (2-2) at Mercyhurst Prep (2-2)
Kennedy Christian is looking to rebound from its emotional loss to Sharpsville last week, while Warren JFK thumped Mercyhurst Prep last Saturday, 49-7.Kennedy is bolstered by the return of Jason Cecil from an ankle injury. In two games he has 157 yards on 26 carries.
