Verrelli reaches milestone in Wilmington win
Wilmington (53) vs. Hickory (7)
Written: Sep 29, 2008
By LYNN SATERNOW
ncsports@ncnewsonline.com
HERMITAGE — Wilmington High football coach Terry Verrelli hit a milestone Saturday.
Verrelli notched win No. 223 to surpass retired Greenville coach Bob Stone as the winningest all-time coach in Mercer County-area history with a 53-7 verdict over Hickory.
But to the veteran mentor there are some more important numbers this season — 5-0.
“(The record is) nice, but it’s not something you think about,“ Verrelli said. “There are so many people involved in all those wins. I’m just part of it and I didn’t want it to be a distraction from the season — the kids are the spotlight.”
And they deserve that spotlight after reeling off their fifth straight win of the campaign and third straight in District 10, Region 3-AA, setting up a big meeting at home with unbeaten Sharon on Friday for the league lead.
“We have a tradition here and the kids know it,“ said Verrelli, pointing out the team has been focused since a loss in the western region final to Jeannette last year. “That’s a big game coming up and we have to be ready. Big games, that’s what football’s all about.”
The ’Hounds got off to a slow start at Hickory (0-3, 1-3) as the fired-up Hornets battled tough and trailed only 13-7 with 8:32 left before half. But Wilmington tacked on three more scores before intermission. The ’Hounds then blew the game away early in the third period, invoking the “mercy rule” with 9:15 remaining in the frame when Shane Wagner returned an interception 65-yards for a TD.
Derrick Burns scored three touchdowns for Wilmington on runs of 1, 14 and 2 yards. Other ’Hounds tallies were posted by Matt Wagner on a 6-yard pass from Shane Wagner, Sutton Whiting’s 15-yard sprint, Luke Yohman’s 1-yard burst and T.J. Klinesmith’s 1-yard run. Bryce Wilson converted on five extra points.
Hickory’s lone score came in the second period on a 2-yard quarterback sneak by Ryan Voisey and Sean Zippie added the extra point.
About the slow start, Verrelli said, “You just have to be patient. Everything isn’t always perfect. (Hickory) was out to prove something and they played hard. You have to be patient and when there are turnovers, you have to take advantage of them.”
They did just that as the ’Hounds Hammer defense recorded four interceptions, two by Chad Palladino and one each by Wagner and Philip Woods. All led to eventual touchdowns.
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