MERCER COUNTY —
Mercer County-area scholastic football squads’ season began in earnest this weekend with their first preseason scrimmages. But on a summer Saturday morning, Hickory High’s 2012 campaign became clouded with uncertainty.
Defending District 10 Class AA champion Hickory hosted 2011 Class A runner-up West Middlesex in a possible postseason precursor for both. However, approximately a half-dozen snaps into Hickory’s initial offensive possession, quarterback Michael Nardone sustained a lower-leg injury.
The exact nature and extent of the injury was not known as of press time. Hickory head coach Bill Brest did not want to speculate, pending an MRI and doctor’s diagnosis.
Out of modified shotgun formation, Nardone took the center snap when he was sandwiched by a pair of Big Reds’ defenders. He faked right, then planted his left foot in an attempt to wedge between West Middlesex’s pursuing pair. He screamed in pain after hitting Hornet Stadium’s synthetic surface.
Attended to immediately by medical personnel and coaches, Nardone, after several minutes, pounded his open palm on the field in frustration before being transported to a hospital by McGonigle Ambulance Service.
Last season Hickory and Nardone annexed the D-10 AA championship via a 35-13 victory over Gen. McLane at Edinboro University’s Sox Harrison Stadium. The Hornets’ 11-2 campaign concluded in a PIAA opening-round playoff loss to Tyrone (40-28) at Altoona’s Mansion Park.
As a junior in 2011, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Nardone orchestrated a Hornets’ offense that stung opponents for nightly norms of 37.9 points and 378.6 yards per game. The Stingers’ southpaw signal-caller completed 70 of 119 attempts (58.8 percent) for 1,269 yards and 12 touchdowns (8 interceptions), and rushed for 206 yards on 51 totes (4 yards/carry) and 4 TDs. He also started for Hickory’s basketball team.
In just his 1st season at the Hornets’ helm, Brest boosted Hickory to the District 10 title tilt, losing to arch-rival Sharon. Last season Brest led Hickory to the program’s first district championship since 1991. And despite graduation losses along its line, led by Nardone and West Virginia University recruit DeShawn Coleman, the Hornets appeared primed to defend their D-10 crown.
A senior speedster, Coleman accumulated 2,381 yards rushing and 31 TDs (36 overall for an area-best 216 points) last season.
Junior Matt Voytik quarterbacked Hickory for the balance of Saturday’s scrimmage.
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Farrell and Union players line up during a scrimmage Saturday morning at Farrell. Mercer County teams began scrimmages Saturday in preparation for the upcoming season. Herald
High school football scrimmages open; Hickory QB Nardone injured
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Hickory softball ousted by Warren; Reynolds, Sharpsville games postponed
Three District 10 semifinal playoff softball games were on the schedule Thursday, but only one was played due to the scattered storms that passed through western Pa.
Hickory suffered a 10-0, 6-inning loss to Warren in a D-10 Class AAA game at Allegheny College in Meadville. That game had a rain delay, but was able to be completed. The Reynolds vs. Saegertown game at Allegheny College and the Sharpsville vs. Iroquois game at Penn State-Behrend in Erie were postponed. -
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The District 10 playoffs kicked off on Tuesday for 4 area baseball teams and 5 softball squads.
In Class A softball, Reynolds edged West Middlesex, 5-4, in an 8-inning thriller while Sharpsville ousted Rocky Grove, 5-0. In Class AA, Northwestern beat Wilmington, 9-5, and Harbor Creek defeated Mercer, 4-3. -
Hickory boys edge WM for D-10 Class AA Track team title
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That sentiment seemed to summarize Mercer County’s performance during Saturday’s annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships. -
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Hickory, WM boys to collide at D-10 AA Track & Field Championships
For the 2nd time this week, a District 10 track & field team title could be decided by a pair of Mercer County contingents.
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Roundup: Reynolds baseball tops GC; Sharpsville, Wilmington softball teams win
ä Reynolds 4, Grove City 1 — At Transfer, Neal Engstrom fired a complete-game 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks in lifting the Raiders (9-8) past the Eagles (14-6).
Ryan Grace was tagged with the loss for Grove City. He struck out 6 batters, issued no walks and gave up 7 hits in going the distance. -
GC girls 3-peat at District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
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Hickory, GC girls collide at D-10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Cliché though that is, it will be borne out today at the annual District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships.
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Local tune up for districts at Mercer County Invite
There’s a difference between a warm-up and a warning.
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Roundup: Grace, GC beat Sharon, 4-0, in 5 innings
With an impending storm blowing in above Johnny Pepe Field time was limited, so Ryan Grace greedily gobbled up putouts.
Grove City High’s Grace gave up only 3 base hits, and the visiting Eagles eased to an abbreviated 4-0, 5-inning win over Sharon Friday afternoon. - More Sports Headlines
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Hickory softball ousted by Warren; Reynolds, Sharpsville games postponed
