Published Friday, Oct. 10, 1997
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Grove City eyes win, AAA playoffs
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer
With a win over Slippery Rock tonight, the Grove City football team could all but assure itself of a District 10 playoff berth, which it failed to get last season despite beating the Rockets, 13-6.
Although Grove City (3-3) and Slippery Rock (1-5) are the only two teams in the Mercer County Athletic Conference AAA Division, the winner doesn't automatically get into the D-10 playoffs. The teams learned last year that records against AA opponents count, and that's why the Rockets went on to face Greenville in the postseason.
This year the Eagles are 2-2 against AA teams, while the Rockets are 1-3. Both have to play Hickory.
Grove City was blasted by Wilmington last week, 56-0, but should have a healthy Jason Russell, who injured his ankle three weeks ago and saw limited action against the Greyhounds. Russell, who averages 50 yards/game, had 172 yards rushing against Reynolds and is second in Grove City's ground game behind Anthony Errera (55.8 yards/game).
Slippery Rock has struggled under sophomore quarterback Gregg Grupp, who threw his first TD of the season last week against Deer Lakes in a 37-19 loss, and had his best game of the season, completing 3-of-4 passes for 75 yards.
Elsewhere tonight, with 7:30 p.m. starts, it's:
Cambridge Springs (6-0) at Sharpsville (5-1)
A District 10 championship game preview? Many people think so in this matchup of Blue Devils.Both teams are at the top of their respective conferences: Cambridge Springs leads the French Creek Valley Conference and is an honorable mention in the Harrisburg Patriot-News poll.
Sharpsville already has won the MCAC Class A title and is ranked No. 8 in the same poll, with the lone loss occurring to Wilmington, 13-7 in overtime.
The Spa defeated Sharpsville twice last year, 17-14 in a regular-season clash at Cambridge Springs and 13-10 in overtime in the D-10 finals.
Both teams are clicking so far this season. Sharpsville is averaging more than 315 total yards, led by the brother combo of John and Justin Napotnik. John is 60-of-87 for 803 yards and 8 TDs and needs 38 yards to surpass Grove City's Brian Cavanaugh for second place on the Mercer County-area's career passing list.
Justin leads the team with 434 yards rushing on 70 carries, has 13 TDs and has 17 catches for 291 yards. In the Blue Devils' 43-16 romp over Mercer last week, he intercepted two passes and returned them for TDs.
Western Beaver (2-2, 4-2) at Farrell (2-2, 4-2)
The Steelers seem to be hitting their stride at the perfect time after consecutive WPIAL Big Seven losses and it's a good thing because the loser of this game likely won't make the playoffs. The last two weeks, Farrell has topped Neshannock, 38-7, and Union, 39-0.Leading the Steelers' charge has been running back Jason Kennedy, who has posted consecutive 100-yard rushing games, including a 114-yard performance against Union. Rennie Gash has been better passing the ball, completing 7-of-14 passes for 168 yards and 3 TDs against the Scotties.
Wilmington (1-0, 6-0) at Mercer (0-1, 1-4)
Wilmington scored all its points in the first half of last week's 56-0 win over Grove City, while Mercer gave up 27 third-quarter points in its loss to Sharpsville.The 'Hounds, ranked No. 2 state-wide in Class AA, received another stellar performance from QB Todd Smargiasso, who was 3-of-3 for 100 yards and a TD and improved his astounding efficiency rating to 318.6.
Kennedy Christian (0-1, 4-2) at West Middlesex (0-1, 1-5)
These two teams are battling for second place in the MCAC A standings.Kennedy scored an impressive 22-20 victory over Ohio's Pymatuning Valley. Tailback Jason Cecil, in four games since his return from an ankle injury, has 495 yards rushing and has complemented fullback Scott Renninger nicely. Renninger leads the team in scoring with 7 TDs and is averaging 85.2 yards/game.
West Middlesex notched its first victory of the season and first for new coach Rick Resatar, 28-12, over Lakeview. Ron Goodman led the Big Reds, scoring on a 7-yard run and tossing a 45-yard pass to Walt Novosel. Goodman was 9-of-20 for 122 yards, and Jon Misinay rushed for 179 yards.
Greenville (6-0) at Hickory (4-2)
The Trojans are coming off a big win last week, 24-7 over Titusville, which put them atop the Northwest Conference. Joe Korcinsky had another 100-plus yard game (29-133) and has 846 rushing yards on the season. His three TDs gave him an area-best 16 this season.Hickory pulled off a great comeback for a 27-23 victory over winless Franklin. The Hornets scored 21 points in the final 8 minutes, and Terrance Gash scored two of his three TDs in that span, one on a 22-yard pass from Jeff Trott, and the other was on a 65-yard fumble return with 58 seconds remaining.
Sharon (5-1) at Campbell Memorial (2-4)
Sharon's T.J. Phillips leads all area rushers with 1,100 yards in six games. He has back-to-back 250-pluys-yard games, including 269 on 14 carries and 4 TDs last week against Reynolds. He has 14 for the season.For those going to the game: Take Route 62 to Truck World. Go straight through Hubbard on Route 616, to the intersection of Routes 616 and 422. Turn right onto Route 422 west and follow to 6th St. The school is about one mile on the right.
West Branch (5-1) at Reynolds (1-5)
Despite its 57-19 loss to Sharon last week, the Raiders have shown signs of life of late, giving state-ranked Laurel a fight, then rallying to defeat Slippery Rock, 29-14, for their only win.Leading the Reynolds resurgence has been Josh Hauser, who has 557 yards.
Saegertown (0-6, 0-6) at Lakeview (0-5, 0-6)
Both teams are looking to escape the FCVC cellar. Lakeview surrendered West Middlesex's initial victory of the season last week, 28-12, but Saegertown may have been worse in a 46-0 setback to Conneaut Valley.Hubbard (3-0, 5-1) at Champion (3-0, 4-2)
The Eagles continue to dominate the Trumbull Athletic Conference and look to take over sole possession of the lead with a win.Hubbard is coming off a 35-14 victory over Liberty, as Carmen Tanferno had 104 yards on 21 carries and Frank Harris 119 yards on 24.
