Ed Farrell
Herald Assistant Sports Editor
SLIPPERY ROCK — At SRU’s N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, Sutton Whiting went for 202 yards rushing and Derrick Burns burst for another 138 as the ’Hounds handled the line of scrimmage in a 45-21 win over North East.
The pair split 4 touchdowns, with Whiting’s being 44- and 59-yarders in the 1st and 3rd quarters, respectively. Burns burst 1 yard in the 4th frame, but it was his highlight-reel 79-yard 3rd-period performance that drew raves. He took a toss right, outraced North East defenders to the corner, then hurdled a helpless Grapepicker defensive back along the far sideline to complete the play.
The Greyhounds’ ground game garnered 378 yards as running lanes were created by center Randy Montalvo, guards Ryan Welch and Brad Zaboroski, tackles Joe Bloise and Sean Christofferson and tight end Ethan Kaufman. Conversely, the Hounds Hammer defense yielded only 177 yards, and 87 of that was provided on a pair of plays from Jimmy Bailey after Wilmington went up 31-0.
“Defensively, that was one of the best efforts they’ve had all year,” Hounds’ headmaster Terry Verrelli said, referencing tackles Christofferson and Jason McFarland, ends Zaboroski and Welch, inside linebackers Burns and Ryan Martin and outside ’backers Josh Phillian and Chad Palladino. “We felt it might be difficult to stop that power game (the Grapepickers) have, but coach Cooper (assistant Brian) did a great job of preparing for what they do best, and I was kind’ve surprised we stopped them cold like that on their running game.”
Both Burns and Whiting have older brothers who have served as Greyhounds’ greats. Burns’ brother Chris — a University of Pittsburgh redshirt-freshman running back — was in attendance. For his part, Whiting said, “I look up to both my brothers, ‘Boomer’ (Brandon) and Bobby; they’re my role-models. They call me after every game. I’m real close with them.
“I’m a little bit of both. ‘Boomer’ was more jukin’. Actually I’d say I’m more like ‘Boomer,’ because Bobby was of a power back. So, I’m more of a juke runner, ’cause I don’t have the size,” Whiting related.
Wilmington (11-1), which won its 7th straight, will meet Sharon, a 21-14 upset winner over Gen. McLane, next weekend for the District 10 AA title at a site and time to be announced. The Hounds harvested a 21-7 triumph at Tiger Stadium earlier this season.
“It’s always the Sharon-Wilmington rivalry,” Verrelli ruefully acknowledged from Bob DiSpirito field as Sharon’s win over McLane blared in the background over the public-address system. “I’m happy for Sharon; that’s great. That was a big victory there, to beat McLane. Hey, we’re looking forward to next week.”
Notes: Jake DeMedal completed 6 of 11 passes for 77 yards, including scoring strikes of 20 and 28 yards, respectively, to Palladino and Phillian. ... Hounds’ kicker Bryce Wilson launched a 42-yard field goal, with room to spare. ... Jimmy Bailey and his younger brother Cory collaborated on a 39-yard TD toss, then the elder Bailey burst 92 yards on a kickoff return and added a 48-yard scoring sprint from scrimmage for North East (9-3). ... Welch had a sack and Ethan Kaufman an interception. — By Ed Farrell, Herald assistant sports editor.
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D-10 CLASS AA SEMIFINALS
NORTH EAST 0 0 7 14 21
WILMINGTON 14 3 14 14 45
Scoring plays
W — Whiting, 44 run (Wilson kick)
W — Palladino, 20 pass from DeMedal (Wilson kick)
W — Wilson, 42 field goal
W — Whiting, 59 run (Wilson kick)
W — Burns, 79 run (Wilson kick)
NE — J. Bailey, 39 pass from C. Bailey (Henry kick)
W — Burns, 1 run (Wilson kick)
NE — J. Bailey, 92 kickoff return (Henry kick)
W — Phillian, 28 pass from DeMedal (Wilson kick)
NE — J. Bailey, 48 run (Henry kick)
Team stats
NORTH EAST WILMINGTON
8 First downs 18
112 Rushing yards 378
65 Passing yards 77
10-4-1 Att-comp-int 11-6-0
177 Total yards 455
2-0 Fumbles-lost 2-0
0-0 Penalties-yards lost 7-65
Individual stats
Rushing: NORTH EAST — J. Bailey 16-70, Johnson 12-25, Eichynski 4-11, C. Bailey 4-7, Neff 3-1(-1); WILMINGTON — Whiting 10-202, Burns 12-138, Phillian 6-24, DMedal 7-12, T. Donati 2-11, Llewellyn 1-2, Bretz 1-1, DeVido 1-0, G. Donati 2-(-1).
Passing: NORTH EAST — J. Bailey 6-2-0, 12; C. Bailey 4-2-1, 53; WILMINGTON — DeMedal 11-6-0, 77.
Receiving: NORTH EAST — J. Bailey 2-53, Neff 1-8, Cornelius 1-4; WILMINGTON — Palladino 2-24, Phillian 1-28, Derrick 1-12, Whiting 1-9, Llewellyn 1-4.
Missed Field Goal: Henry, 52 (wide left).
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