---- — It’s heartening for area aficionados to see Mercer County-area football programs renewing rivalries, rather than traveling to distant outposts for non-region competition.

This weekend’s slate features several District 10 inter-region games, including Sharon at West Middlesex and Wilmington’s visit to McCracken Field’s pines in Sharpsville.

According to available archives at The Herald, the proud programs of Sharpsville and Wilmington have not met since the epic 1997 overtime game, won by host Wilmington (13-7). Ultimately, Sharpsville’s lone setback served as the impetus for the Blue Devils’ drive to the PIAA Class A crown. Slightly more than a decade later, the Greyhounds hoisted hardware at Hersheypark Stadium in Class AA.

Similarly, Sharon and West Middlesex’s grid programs last met during the ’90 and ’91 seasons, with Sharon shutting out Middlesex 34-0 and 48-0. That’s ancient history, however, as players donning black-and-orange or red-and-white-colored uniforms tonight had not even been born.

In addition to the aforementioned, “Rivalry Weekend” also includes Farrell treking to Hermitage, Slippery Rock invading Grove City’s Forker Field, and a page from the past of the former French Creek Valley Conference, with Lakeview traveling to Cochranton.

“It’s a good setup, with ‘A’ playing ‘AA’ teams,” Sharpsville skipper Paul Piccirilli acknolwedged. “They finally got it right, where they put us all on the ‘open’ dates, and it makes for a big thing for Mercer County.”

Tonight’s Games (all games begin 7 p.m.)

Wilmington (5-1) at Sharpsville (5-1)

While the banged up Blue Devils are coming off their initial loss last week at West Middlesex, the Greyhounds have garnered 4 consecutive wins since their lone loss at Grove City.

Both employ balanced wing-T offenses. Sharpsville is averaging 32.8 points and 324 yards/game, while Wilmington’s respective nightly norms are 28.5 and 334.3. Sharpsville has been stingy, as has the Hounds Hammer. The Blue Devils’ defense has yielded only 14.7 ppg, and 176.4 ypg,, while Wilmington allows 11.7 and 197.8, respectively.

During its 4-game skein the Hounds have outscored opponents 151-41 — with 28 of those points surrendered to Region 3-AA rival Hickory.

In addition to having Commonwealth crowns on their respective resumé, Hounds’ headmaster Terry Verrelli (34th season, 267-111-3) and Piccirilli (17th season, 148-50) are among D-10’s most successful grid mentors.

From his club’s perspective, Piccirilli said, “We’ve got a couple people banged up, and we might rest them. For the fans, it’s a game everybody wants to see; but for us coaches we need to get healthy, and our big game is in two weeks against Lakeview.

“Hopefully, we can put on a good show ... and we’ll see what happens. But our concentration is in two weeks,” Piccirilli emphasized.

Sharon (1-5) at West Middlesex (5-1)

The Big Reds have reeled off 5 consecutive conquests by an aggregate 152-48 margin since a season-opening setback in New Wilmington. During that spree Middlesex mentor Jason McElhaney’s minions have earned a numbers of firsts, including wins over Farrell and Sharpsville.

Defensively, West Middlesex has yielded the fewest points (61) and yards (932) among Herald coverage-area teams.

But while West Middlesex is seeking the most successful season in its program’s annals since ’06 (15-1, PIAA Class A championship game berth), the Tigers have tumbled. Sharon has not seen a season such of this since ’04 (1-8).

Since their Week-2 success against Saegertown, the Tigers remained competitive; however during its recent slide Sharon has been outscored 119-61, though much of that occurred in last week’s loss at Hickory (49-7).

Farrell (4-2) at Hickory (5-1)

At the conclusion of its 3-year reign (2008-10) atop District 10, Farrell forged an early-season 2010 rout at Hermitage (39-12). However Hickory harvested a measuire of vindication last year at Anthony J. Paulekas Stadium (28-6), which helped the Hornets toward their own D-10 title.

The Steelers’ success in Stoneboro last week against Lakeview was Farrell’s 1st this season against an opponent with a winning record. it may serve as a springboard for Steelers’ skipper Jarrett Samuels’ squad.

Since its lone loss at New Wilmington — the only occasion this season in which the ’Stingers have been on the scoreboards’ short end — Hickory humbled its next 3 opponents by a composite 12819 differential.

The game will be broadcast on NewsTalk 790 (WPIC AM), with Mark Slezak and and Bob Greenburg calling the action.

Slippery Rock (6-0) at Grove City (5-1)

The Rockets roared into this week’s Pennsylvania Football News’ top 10 by whipping Warren (42-20).

Slippery Rock relied on quick strikes to dominate the Dragons, including Ryan Currie’s 29- and 18-yard runs and Frank Conlon’s 92-yard kickoff return, according to The (Warren) Times-Observer. Conlon and Currie contributed 5- and 1-yard runs from scrimmage, also, as the Rockets rolled for more than 300 yards rushing.

Since their lone loss the Grovers are getting healthier and have won back-to-back Region 3-AA affairs. Grove City gave up almost as many points to Hickory (41) as its has yielded to its other 5 foes combined (42).

The backyard brawl will be broadcast on ESPN 96.7 (WLLF FM) with Ryan Briggs and Chris Burtch calling the action.

Mercyhurst Prep (4-2) at Mercer (1-5)

This evolved into one of the better long-range rivalries within D-10’s 6-county borders. The Lakers’ legacy includes a trio of playoff wins, including the 2010 (54-14) quarterfinals and ’07 championship game (21-19). The Mustangs’ measure of vengence occurred in 2009. After the Lakers win in the season-lidlifter (28-14), Mercer mustered a 28-20 turnabout in the D-10 quarters.

In addition to ’09, Prep also prevailed in season openers in 2011 (27-14), 2010 (24-0), ’07 (10-0) and ’06 (14-0). Mercer won the ’08 opener (26-14). 

Cornelius Barclay broke loose for 153 yards rushing, including 56- and 24-yard scoring sprints, and also caught a 67-yard TD toss from Nick Evanoff in last week’s Lakers’ lopsided 41-21 rout of Maplewood. Also, Thomas Higgins had 89 yards rushing on 11 totes and Ryan Conner collected a 13-carry, 69-yard rushing effort that included a 20-yard TD, according to The Times-News. Prep pounded Maplewood for 361 yards rushing and approximately 8 yards/carry.

The Mustangs are in the midst of a 5-game skid.

Brookfield (7-0) at Conneaut, Ohio (0-7)

Coach Randy Clark’s Warriors remain atop OHSAA Division IV, Region 13, and are in the midst of the program’s best season since ’94 — 10-2 and a regionals finals berth.

Brookfield has bludgeoned opponents, 334-89 on the board, and 2,930-1,375 in total yards, pacing the area aggregation in both categories.

Conneaut came up on the short side of a 29-28 double-overtime marathon against Gilmour Academy last week. However the Spartans were sparked by the ground game of Troy Colucci (200 yards, 4 TDs) and R.J. Nelson (120 yards), according to The (Ashtabula) Star-Beacon.

Brookfield battered Conneaut last year (35-7), and leads the all-time series 12-2, according to The Star-Beacon.

Greenville (3-3) at Northwestern (4-2)

Northwestern knocked off Fort LeBoeuf (29-0) last week, as quarterback Grant Panko produced a 9-for-11, 135-yard, 2-TD passing performance; his scoring strikes were hauled in by Mitchell Wright from 10 and 16 yards He also ran 13 yards for a TD. Also, Brandon Reiser ran for 74 yards, including an 11-yard score. The Wildcats whipped Fort LeBoeuf by a 383-130 edge in total yards (205-72 rushing), according to The Times-News.

Trojans taskmaster Brian Herrick has his club in position for the possibility of the postseason. Since suffering back-to-back season-opening setbacks to North East and Hickory by a combined 68-24 margin, Greenville has garnered 3 wins in 4 games, losing only to Grove City. The Trojans toppled Titusville last week (19-13), as Tyler Fattman and Luke Houpt handled the offense. Defensively, Greenville has given up only 45 points in its last 4 games.

Lakeview (4-2) at Cochranton (4-2)

The Sailors are seeking a playoff berth; however, the Sailors have coasted past 4 foes (Union City, Conneaut Area, Mercer, Kennedy Catholic) with an aggregate 8-16 ledger.

Nonetheless, Blake Reddick remains the area’s 2nd-leading rusher — 73 yards behind Brookfield’s Ryan Mosora. Reddick has played 1 fewer game, but has 58 more carries than Mosora.

Last week the Redbirds routed Iroquois (43-6) as Chad Eisenhooth had a hand in 4 touchdowns (2 rushing, 53 and 37 yards; 2 passing, 9 and yards to Jesse Staudt and Nathan Wigton), according to The (Erie) Times-News.

Kennedy Catholic (1-5) at Reynolds (4-2)

Both teams are coming off losses; however, coach Jerry Pacifico’s Raiders are on the uptick this year, while the Golden Eagles are enduring another long season.

Back in ’05, when both program procured District 10 titles, Reynolds recorded a 14-7; Kennedy copped a 21-0 conquest in ’04.



Herald sports writer Rob Malsom contributed research for this preview.