Published Friday, Nov. 28, 1997
BACK TO HERALD...
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Wilmington well aware of strong foe
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D-10 CHAMPS FACE FINAL HURDLE IN RACE FOR STATE
Herald Sports Writer
This time of year the team which makes the fewer mistakes often comes out on top. It may be cliched, but its true.
Those mistakes are often in the form of turnovers or special-team gaffes.
Therefore, it's easy to see why Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli is concerned about his team's matchup with South Park Saturday in the PIAA Class AA semifinals at Pitt Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
South Park blocked three punts in the first half alone en route to a 38-6 romp over Shady Side Academy last Saturday in the WPIAL finals at Three Rivers Stadium.
In fact, the Eagles defense produced three interceptions, a fumble and the three blocks on its first seven drives as they headed to a 17-0 advantage at halftime.
``I think it has to be a major concern,'' Verrelli said. ``Special teams are part of the game, especially in a big game. We're working real hard on special teams.''
Wilmington also used turnovers to its advantage in its 35-28 victory over Tyrone in their game at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Demetrious Rich picked off a Matt Sharer pass with time winding down in the first half. Rich raced 47 yards down to the 8-yard line. On the next play, with four seconds left, Todd Smargiasso hit Doug Dudash for a TD.
It was a quarter in which the 'Hounds scored on drives numbering plays of four, four, 10 and one, respectively, en route to a 28-14 halftime lead.
Wilmington's explosive offense will have its work cut out for it against South Park, however. The Eagles have allowed just 93 points (7.8 points/game), haven't allowed more than 13 points since the second week of the season and have held their opponents to single-digits the last three games.
``It's a concern going into any game, moving the football,'' Verrelli said. ``They wouldn't be this far without a respectable defense. We have respect for their defense.''
Wilmington's defense, however, will be responsible for containing South Park's running game, led by Tony Gaetano. He leads the team in rushing with 763 yards on 140 carries. Tita Attie has added 705 yards on 143 totes.
But Wilmington comes in with a pretty potent offense of its own, led by veteran quarterback Smargiasso, running backs Jon Tekac and Dudash, receiver Rich, and an outstanding line.
The 'Hounds secondary will look to rebound after an unusually poor game. It was suspect to the big-pass play against Tyrone as Sharer was 14-of-23 for 215 yards and a TD.
``Our defense, we weren't totally happy with,'' Verrelli said. ``Tyrone was one of better offensive units we've faced all year. But there was no excuse for some of the secondary play. Obviously we want to do a better job.''
Wilmington will need no introduction to the WPIAL-style of ball that South Park plays. Wilmington previously was a member of the WPIAL prior to its moving to District 10 and the Mercer County Athletic Conference in 1994. Since the move, Wilmington is an incredible 45-6 and a winner of four straight D-10 titles.
Wilmington is 1-0 against WPIAL teams this season after a season-opening 28-6 victory over Laurel. South Park also beat Laurel, most recently 12-6 in the WPIAL quarterfinals.
``There's a different style in every area,'' Verrelli said. ``You see that in the playoffs. The WPIAL has more schools in the area. Maybe they have more quality teams than District 10 because so there are so few schools compared to District 7 (WPIAL). All in all, as you move along in the playoffs you're going to run into good compettion.''
There's no doubt that the winner will see good competition from either South Williamsport (13-0) or Nortwestern Lehigh (11-2) in the state finals to be played next weekend.
Wilmington-South Park at a glance Probable starting lineups WILMINGTON Offense No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 75 Artie Rayner........OT 6-4 225 10 53 Ryan Gargasz........OG 6-6 252 12 72 Jay Ferrese..........C 6-1 200 12 51 Justin Koi..........OG 6-1 220 12 78 Jamie Hake..........OT 6-2 265 12 84 Mike Copper.........TE 6-3 183 10 3 Todd Smargiasso.....QB 6-3 190 12 25 Doug Dudash.........FB 6-0 196 12 4 Jon Tekac...........TB 6-2 196 12 2 Kevin McGinnis......WB 5-10 183 11 21 Demetrious Rich.....WR 5-10 170 12 46 Judd Campbell.......PK 5-9 150 12 Defense 53 Ryan Gargasz........DE 6-6 252 12 51 Justin Koi..........DT 6-1 220 12 57 Brian Meese.........DT 5-11 275 12 55 Willie White........DE 6-0 220 11 20 Shawn Bauer........OLB 6-0 170 12 32 Adam Stewart.......ILB 6-2 165 11 2 Kevin McGinnis.....ILB 5-10 183 11 25 Doug Dudash........OLB 6-0 196 12 21 Demetrious Rich.....CB 5-10 170 12 4 Jon Tekac...........CB 6-2 196 12 3 Todd Smargiasso......S 6-3 190 12 18 Matt Robison.........P 6-3 183 10 SOUTH PARK Offense No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Eric Steward..........OT 5-11 223 12 Rob Sweany............OG 6-1 200 12 Ryan Averill...........C 6-3 200 12 Jake Lulich...........OG 6-6 304 11 Bryon Rothar..........OT 6-0 235 12 Matt Dietz............TE 5-11 210 12 Ken Pryke.............QB 6-5 187 11 Tony Gaetano..........TB 5-9 170 11 Chad Morris...........RB 5-11 195 12 Graig Marx............WR 6-2 162 12 Jason Krusienski......SE 5-9 154 12 Defense Chad Morris...........DE 5-11 195 12 Reggie Wells..........DT 6-3 212 11 Tony Riepole..........NG 5-10 205 12 Eric Steward..........DT 5-11 223 12 Adam Warhola..........DE 5-10 167 12 Brian Guzek...........LB 5-9 222 12 Matt Dietz............LB 5-11 210 12 Marty Rieck...........SS 5-11 175 11 Jason Stewart.........FS 5-11 162 10 Matt Szmyd............CB 6-7 163 12 Jason Krusienski......CB 5-9 154 12
Statistics TEAM WILMINGTON SOUTH PARK OFFENSE 3061..........Rushing yards......N/A 235.5..........Per game..........N/A 1707..........Passing yards......N/A 131.3..........Per game..........N/A 108-71-3..........Att-comp-int...N/A 4778..........Total yards........N/A 367.5..........Per game..........N/A 538..........Points scored.......305 41.4..........Per game...........25.4 DEFENSE 1082.......Rushing yards allowed..........N/A 82.2..........Per game..........N/A 1013..........Passing yards allowed..........N/A 77.9..........Per game..........N/A 163-75-13..........Opp. Att-comp-int..........N/A 1840..........Total yards allowed..........N/A 141.5..........Per game..........N/A 112..........Points allowed..........93 8.6..........Per game..........7.8 INDIVIDUAL Rushing WILMINGTON _ Doug Dudash 143-1370; Jon Tekac 107-1121. SOUTH PARK _ Tony Gaetano 140-763; Tita Atte 143-705. Passing WILMINGTON _ Todd Smargiasso 108-71-3-1683, 23 TDs. SOUTH PARK _ Ken Pryke 121-59-813. Receiving WILMINGTON _ Demetrious Rich 38-980; Dudash 11-202. SOUTH PARK _ Griag Marx 28-385, Jason Krusienski 18-273. Scoring WILMINGTON _ Dudash 27 TDs; Rich 20 TDs; Tekac 15 TDs; Judd Campbell 52 PATs. SOUTH PARK _ Chad Morris 10 TDs; Brian Guzek 10 TDs.
Game-by-game scores WILMINGTON (13-0) 28..........Laurel..........6 45........West Middlesex...10 55..........Slippery Rock...0 49..........Hickory.........0 13......Sharpsville (OT)....7 56..........Grove City......0 56..........Mercer.........19 56..........Reynolds.......13 26..........Sharon.........12 DISTRICT 10 AA PLAYOFFS 55..........Ft. LeBoeuf.....0 42..........Sharon..........0 PIAA AA Playoffs 22..........Karns City.....17 35..........Tyrone.........28 SOUTH PARK (11-1) 41......Canevin Catholic....7 0......Thomas Jefferson....21 28.....South Allegheny......0 14..........Carlynton.......7 46..........Beth-Center.....6 20..........Jeannette.......6 10..........East Allegheny..0 33..........Bentworth......13 49.......Charleroi Area....14 WPIAL AA PLAYOFFS 12..........Laurel..........6 14..........Center..........7 38...Shady Side Academy.....6
