Hounds seeking continued success despite losses

The four-time defending Class AA District 10 titlists lost a seasoned sextet to graduation, a crippling loss for most programs considering the group served as the nucleus of the last three Greyhounds' grid titles.

But preseason prognosticators who presume this will be the year Wilmington finally receives its comeuppance should be wary.

Several performers relegated to backup roles last year finally will be given the opportunity to shine in the limelight, and there's always the proud ÔHounds Hammer defensive tradition to uphold.

''That's probably a natural instinct from anyone. You can't lose four skill-people like that (Todd Smargiasso, Jon Tekac, Demetrious Rich and Doug Dudash) and two great linemen (Ryan Gargasz and Justin Koi) and expect to be the same team. Of course we're not the same team,'' acknowledged veteran mentor Terry Verrelli (128-77-3).

''But, yet, they've learned to win, they've learned to work hard, they've learned they want it as much as those guys -- whoever'll step in there -- and I think they're gonna win a different way.

''You're right! We are not gonna see the 80-yard breakaway pass plays and things like that. But we'll win a different way, that's all,'' Verrelli emphasized.

''They've got the enthusiasm. What they lack in the skill area is that seasoned, game experience. It'll take Ôem time, but I feel we have people there to move the ball. ... It's a matter of finding who we need there and putting them together and making a game of it.''

Last year, Wilmington amassed the area's most prodigious offense, averaging 38.9 points and 357.8 yards per game in advancing to the PIAA Western Regional finale where -- after 13 consecutive conquests to commence the campaign -- it bowed to eventual state champion South Park.

Conversely, The Hounds Hammer stifled foes, yielding only 10.4 points and 156 yards per outing.

Verrelli, following his club's annual preseason scrimmage with Greenville, admitted he does not anticipate that type of domination, but feels those who have been waiting in the wings in New Wilmington will surface, and the defense will enable the offense to develop gradually.

Matt Robison is the heir apparent to Smargiasso under center, while his brother, Adam, will be one of his aerial targets. Inside linebackers Kevin McGinnis (13 carries, 61 yards) and Adam Stewart will spearhead the defense and also will be counted upon to run the football, as will Bobby Whiting. But as Verrelli noted,

''Our line, right now, is our key area, because a lot of them started last year, even though they were sophomores,'' he said of captain Willie White, Rocky Craley, gargantuan, Gargasz-sized Artie Rayner and Tim Coulter -- the latter, who weighs in at approximately 310 pounds -- tight end Mike Copper (4 catches, 90 yards) and others.

''Our line, right now, is our experienced area,'' Verrelli asserted.

Last year, Wilmington claimed a pair of victories over Mercer County Athletic Conference arch-rival Sharon, the latter a 42-0 blowout in the D-10 title tilt -- the fourth consecutive contest in which Wilmington tamed the Tigers -- but Verrelli forecasted,

''We're not the team to beat, and I think that that's obvious,'' Verrelli stressed. ''When you lose that many people -- I mean, I don't care what team it is -- somebody's gotta step in there and do it, and how can he possibly be as good as the other guy? He doesn't have that game experience, so it's gonna take him a little while, and I would understand that.

''We aren't the team to beat; Sharon's the one with some skilled experience back, and in a situation like that, they are, definitely, the team to beat. So, we don't mind that,'' Verrelli insisted, though quickly pointing out,

''But, hey, listen: Every year is a new year, with every team, and you've gotta put together what you have. We've got good spirit here, and drive, and whatever kids we've got, I think they'll give it their best to win the game and not just to play the game.Ó

Verrelli's assistants will be Bob Mitcheltree, Brian Cooper, David Welch, Scott Shearer, Mike Henry and a pair of his former proteges, Kurt Latta and T. D. Mitcheltree.