West Catholic brings lethal offense to title tilt
Wilmington, of District 10, has been living dangerously in its run to Hershey. The Greyhounds have won their last three games by a combined 10 points. Two of those victories, including last week's 29-28 triumph over District 7 champion Aliquippa, came in overtime.
PIAA Class AA state championship, Wilmington (14-1) vs. West Catholic (14-1), at Hersheypark Stadium, tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Wilmington, of District 10, has been living dangerously in its run to Hershey. The Greyhounds have won their last three games by a combined 10 points. Two of those victories, including last week's 29-28 triumph over District 7 champion Aliquippa, came in overtime.
West Catholic, powered by a score-from-anywhere-on-the-field offense, has had a much easier go of it. Including the Catholic League tournament, the Burrs have won seven playoff contests by an average of 41.2 points.
Here is a quick look at the game:
Coaches.
Terry Verrelli is 232-102-3 in 30 seasons at Wilmington. In 10 years at West Catholic, Brian Fluck is 84-43.
Records.
The Greyhounds' only loss was to Karns City in Week 7. The Burrs' lone defeat came in Week 3, when they were nipped by Catholic League AAAA champ La Salle, 27-26, in a nonleague matchup.
Fast facts.
Wilmington is situated in New Wilmington, about 60 miles Northwest of Pittsburgh. Verrelli is the second-winningest coach in District 10 history, behind only Warren's J.B. Leidig (270 victories from 1912 to 1951). The Greyhounds have outscored opponents this season, 563-144. This will be their first appearance in the state final since 1988, when they fell to Bethlehem Catholic, 26-11, at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona. . . . West Catholic has won three straight Catholic League crowns. The Burrs have outscored foes, 741-187. They have scored 50 or more points in nine games.
Wilmington offense.
The Greyhounds, with a wing-T scheme, rely heavily on fullback Derrick Burns. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound junior has carried 168 times for 1,403 yards (8.3 yards per carry) and 20 touchdowns. Outside running threats are halfbacks Sutton Whiting (108 carries for 834 yards, 12 TDs) and Jake DeMedal (66 for 389, six). Quarterback Shane Wagner has completed 88 of 171 passes for 1,333 yards and 21 TDs, with eight interceptions.
West offense.
The lightning-quick Burrs are averaging 52.9 points per game. It all starts with dual-threat quarterback Curtis Drake. The Penn State recruit has passed for 1,292 yards and 15 TDs, with three INTs. He has rushed 99 times for 1,527 yards and 21 scores. Rob Hollomon has been sensational at halfback, carrying 136 times for 1,821 yards and scoring 41 total TDs. Halfback Raymond Maples (122 for 1,132, 16) rounds out the lethal attack.
Wilmington defense.
The Greyhounds have a 4-4 alignment. They have yielded 9.6 points and 161.1 total yards per game. Burns, at linebacker, has totaled 93 tackles, including 56 solos. The other leaders are linebackers Carson Sharbaugh (74 tackles) and Chad Palladino (50), and tackle Clint DeRosa (74).
West defense.
The Burrs, using a 4-3 scheme, have given up 12.5 points a game. They have allowed 107 rushing yards and 83 passing yards per outing. Their anchors include linebacker Dante Dickens (56 solos, 23 assists), ends Chris Williams (39, 21) and Artis Carroll (26, 19), and tackle John Ruppert (27, 17). Hollomon, at cornerback, has five INTs.
Analysis.
Defensively, the key for the Burrs is to clog the line and stop Burns. They also have to squash tosses and speed sweeps. The District 12 champs are quicker, bigger and more physical. That should spell another big day for Drake and company. Also look for the Greyhounds, with eight two-way starters, to get worn down.
Pick.
West Catholic, 27-7.
West Catholic Vs. Wilmington
Here are the probable starters for the Burrs and Greyhounds:
WEST CATHOLIC (14-1)
OFFENSE
Pos. No. Player Ht. Wt. Class
TE 41 Jim Lynch 6-3 205 Soph.
T 78 Victor McNair 6-0 280 Sr.
G 60 Covisia Wilson 6-1 240 Sr.
C 50 Jake Zuzek 6-2 290 Jr.
G 54 Paul Murtagh 5-11 225 Sr.
T 64 Austin Peters 6-0 295 Sr.
WR 7 Eric Young 5-9 160 Sr.
QB 2 Curtis Drake 6-0 165 Sr.
HB 22 Rob Hollomon 5-9 150 Sr.
HB 3 Raymond Maples 6-1 195 Sr.
FB 4 Juan Rozier 6-0 210 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. No. Player Ht. Wt. Class
E 85 Chris Williams 6-2 215 Sr.
T 71 John Ruppert 5-9 290 Jr.
T 77 Dwayne Shaw 6-4 225 Sr.
E 42 Artis Carroll 6-0 215 Sr.
LB 40 Bill Tobin 6-0 170 Jr.
LB 15 Dante Dickens 5-11 170 Jr.
LB 8 Jordan Culbreath 6-0 230 Jr.
CB 22 Rob Hollomon 5-9 150 Sr.
CB 9 Ray Manuel 5-8 160 Jr.
SS 3 Raymond Maples 6-1 195 Sr.
FS 82 Haleem Hayward 6-1 180 Sr.
WILMINGTON (14-1)
OFFENSE
Pos. No. Player Ht. Wt. Class
TE 44 Dallas Hartman 6-5 235 Sr.
T 51 Brad Bober 6-0 284 Sr.
G 50 Brian Fulkman 5-10 165 Sr.
C 60 Clint DeRosa 6-0 242 Sr.
G 76 Ryan Welch 6-1 205 Sr.
T 74 Sean Christofferson 6-3 222 Sr.
SE 86 Matt Wagner 6-6 180 Sr.
QB 11 Shane Wagner 6-0 185 Sr.
FB 27 Derrick Burns 5-11 195 Jr.
HB 24 Sutton Whiting 5-8 150 Soph.
HB 18 Jake DeMedal 6-1 170 Jr.
DEFENSE
Pos. No. Player Ht. Wt. Class
E 8 Josh Phillian 5-9 170 Jr.
T 44 Dallas Hartman 6-5 235 Sr.
T 60 Clint DeRosa 6-0 242 Sr.
E 76 Ryan Welch 6-1 205 Sr.
LB 27 Derrick Burns 5-11 195 Jr.
LB 6 Carson Sharbaugh 6-5 215 Sr.
LB 3 Chad Palladino 5-9 152 Jr.
LB 86 Matt Wagner 6-6 180 Sr.
CB 18 Jake DeMedal 6-1 170 Jr.
CB 24 Sutton Whiting 5-8 150 Soph.
S 11 Shane Wagner 6-0 185 Sr.