’Hounds stay safe, but lose to Rockets
Wilmington (7) vs. Slippery Rock (27)
Written: Nov 01, 2014
By Corey J. Corbin
CNHI News Service
Wilmington High football coach Terry Verrelli wanted just one thing — to escape last night’s game without any major injuries.
Misson accomplished.
The Greyhounds didn’t sustain any injuries to speak of in a 27-7 nonregion loss to Slippery Rock at Greyhound Stadium.
With both teams already assured of playoff spots next weekend, the game was played with a running clock.
“We just wanted to get this over with,” the veteran Greyhounds coach said. “That’s why we had the running clock. That’s what I wanted to do. The game didn’t mean anything to me.
“We just came out and played the game. We had to play it, so we played it. It was a game that we needed to get over with so we can get ready for the playoffs. I can’t afford any injuries and I’m sure he can’t, either.
“We just wanted to get this over with,” Verrelli added. “That’s why we had the running clock. That’s what I wanted to do. The game didn’t mean anything to me.”
With an eye toward the District 10 playoffs next weekend, Verrelli emptied his bench to start the second half as the Rockets rolled up 20 points in the final 24 minutes.
Verrelli’s club was held to minus-one yard in the second half.
“I told (Slippery Rock coach) Brendan Hathaway that I was playing my JVs the entire second half no matter what. I understand he’s undefeated and he wants to win this game. I don’t have a problem with that.”
Wilmington opened the scoring with Reese Bender finding Marc Peoples in the left flat for a 14-yard scoring strike just over two minutes into the second quarter. James Gardner converted the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
On the Rockets’ next offensive play, junior Ryan Lauster raced past the Wilmington defense for a 50-yard jaunt to knot the score at 7-all.
Slippery Rock put the game away in the second half with a Jake Whitmer 34-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter and Lauster’s second score of the night from 18 yards out. Shane Kirkwood pounced on a fumble in the end zone for the final touchdown of the evening.
“It was an odd game,” said Hathaway, whose team wrapped up its second-consecutive undefeated regular season and has won 23 straight regular season games. I’ve never been a part of a game like that. I’m happy to get a win against a great program like Wilmington. Any time you can play a high school football game, it’s a blessing. A lot of kids got some playing time tonight, so chalk that up as a good opportunity to come over and play on Wilmington’s field.”
Region 3-AA champion Slippery Rock is tentatively scheduled to face Seneca next weekend in the opening round of the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
The ’Hounds are expected to play Region 1-A champion Cambridge Springs. Sites and times for both games will be released later this weekend.
“I don’t know much about them,” Verrelli said. “I know they won that league up north. Obviously, they’re a good football team. We have to gear up for the playoffs. That’s really all I wanted to see tonight, was getting after it. That’s all about I could ask for.”
(Email: ncsports@ncnewsonline.com)
S. ROCK WILMINGTON
9 First downs 5
246 Yards Rushing 77
1 Yards Lost 13
245 Net Rushing 64
1 Passes Attempted 4
1 Passes Completed 3
0 Passes Intercepted 1
39 Yards Passing 54
284 Total Yards 118
3-1 Fumbles-Lost 3-0
0-0 Punts-Average 3-19
1-5 Penalties-Yards 2-10
S. ROCK 0 7 6 14 —27
WILMINGTON 0 7 0 0 — 7
Scoring plays
WILMINGTON — Marc Peoples, 14-yard pass from Reese Bender (James Gardner kick).
SLIPPERY ROCK — Ryan Lauster, 50-yard run (Mark Cessar kick).
SLIPPERY ROCK — Jake Whitmer, 34-yard run (kick failed).
SLIPPERY ROCK — Ryan Lauster, 18-yard run (Cessar kick).
SLIPPERY ROCK — Shane Kirkwood, fumble recovery in the endzone (Nick Stutz kick).
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