2010 Wilmington Football Preview

Wilmington Greyhounds
Head Coach: Terry Verrelli
2009 Record/Finish: 6-1, 13-2 (T-1^st Place)
District/Conference: District 10, Region 3-AA
Class: AA
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009
Past Big 22 Recipients (4)
2009 – Derrick Burns, Sr/RB
2008 – Derrick Burns, Jr/RB
2007 – Chris Burns, Sr/RB
2006 – Chris Burns, Jr/RB

2009 Points Per Game (Area Rank)
Points Scored: 34.0 (8^th)
Points Allowed: 10.2 (T-4^th)
Notes: The ‘Hounds have finished each of the past four seasons averaging over 31 points per ballgame.

Whiting and McFarland Lead a Young Greyhound Team
Since 2006, the Wilmington Greyhounds have been victorious more times (55) than any other Class AA program in the state of Pennsylvania. It’s no secret that coach Terry Verrelli has built a powerhouse in New Wilmington. “I don’t set expectations other than the fact that I want (my players to come in) with the right attitude and do their best and work hard to continue the tradition we have here.”

The ‘Hounds will be young with only five seniors on the roster. Just four of the twenty-two starting positions return. “We really have to use some younger kids that we’re not used to using that really don’t have as much game experience,” says Verrelli, “They have the right mentality. They understand the tradition and what we’ve done here and they want to do the same.”

Replacing Jake DeMedal at quarterback will be a huge question mark. DeMedal threw for over 1,100 yards last fall. The proxy will come in the form of one of two signal callers that lack varsity game experience, juniors Nick Vasko or Josh Tekac. Whoever the quarterback may be will be privileged to hand the ball off to one of the area’s most talented backs in Sutton Whiting. Wilmington lost a running back, Derrick Burns (Pittsburgh), to graduation who had accumulated 44 touchdowns over the past two seasons. However, the Greyhounds are in good hands with their senior Whiting. If that name looks familiar to you, it should. One of Sutton’s older brothers, Boomer, plays minor league baseball for the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate – the Syracuse Chiefs. Boomer was an All-State defensive back twice and an All-Conference pick as a running back at Wilmington. Last year, Sutton led the Greyhounds in rushing. On November 21, Whiting averaged 20.4 yards per carry in a playoff game against North East. Number 24 has another gear to avoid defenders and accelerate to the end zone.

Coach Verrelli knows that the Greyhounds have to bounce back from the change in personnel on the other side of the ball, “The defense has to get it done. That’s what we stress every year whether we’re experienced or inexperienced.” Senior Jason McFarland, the leading returning tackler from 2009, is back to anchor the defensive line. In the western semifinals, McFarland accounted for eleven tackles in a 25-24 win over previously unbeaten, Forest Hills.

Wilmington begins the campaign with three of their first four contests at Greyhound Stadium. Since October 15, 2004, Wilmington has posted a 48-4 regular season record.

2010 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time
9/3/10	At Slippery Rock	7:00
9/10/10	Greenville	7:00
9/17/10	Karns City	7:00
9/24/10	Reynolds	7:00
10/1/10	At Hickory	7:00
10/8/10	At Grove City	7:00
10/15/10	Titusville	7:00
10/22/10	At Sharon	7:00
10/29/10	Warren JFK	7:00
11/5/10	At Northwestern	7:00

2009 Results

Date	Opponent	Result
9/4/09	At Brentwood	W 43-0
9/11/09	At Greenville	W 36-15
9/19/09	Grove City	W 34-14
9/25/09	At Oil City	W 37-7
10/2/09	Hickory	L 14-21
10/9/09	At Sharon	W 21-7
10/16/09	Reynolds	W 64-0
10/23/09	At Titusville	W 35-0
10/30/09	Slippery Rock	W 40-0
11/6/09	At Karns City	W 55-9
11/14/09	Vs. Fort LeBoeuf*	W 32-21
11/21/09	Vs. North East*	W 45-14
11/27/09	Vs. Sharon*	W 19-0
12/4/09	Vs. Forest Hills*	W 25-24
12/12/09	Vs. Greensburg CC*	L 10-14

Longest Current Road Win Streak

Local Team	Wins	First Win
Crestview	14	9/28/07
Wilmington	14	9/8/07
McDonald	10	8/23/08
Farrell	9	9/6/08
Cardinal Mooney	6	8/28/09
Salem	6	9/11/09
Sharon	6	10/17/08
Girard	5	8/28/09
Howland	5	10/3/08

Last 10 Years

Year	Record
2009	13-2
2008	15-1
2007	13-2
2006	14-1
2005	9-2
2004	7-2
2003	5-5
2002	4-5
2001	10-2
2000	12-2