'Hounds falter late in loss to Farrell
Wilmington (6) vs. Farrell (37)
Written: Oct 03, 2015
 By Andrew Koob
New Castle News
The Wilmington High football team’s defense stood toe-to-toe with one of District 10’s most prolific offenses for three quarters.
It didn’t extend to the final 12 minutes of the game, however, as the Greyhounds fell to visiting Farrell 37-6 in their District 10, Region 1-A match Friday.
Wilmington (1-2 region, 3-2 overall) held the Steelers to just 14 points in the first three quarters, taking a bend-don’t-break approach.
They allowed 309 overall yards before the fourth quarter and only allowed two touchdowns, a one-yard quarterback keeper and a 67-yard run in the second quarter.
In the final quarter, however, Farrell scored three touchdowns and amassed 128 rushing yards on 16 offensive plays, all runs. They averaged eight yards per carry in the quarter.
“Our feeling on this game is ‘I want to see some positive things.’ And I did, especially defensively,” Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said. “But kids are playing both ways and in the fourth quarter, they’re worn down.”
Added Farrell coach Jarrett Samuels, “We know Wilmington is well-coached. They may be undermanned, but the game is going to be tough regardless. Our guys adjusted well, our defense held strong until our offense got on track.”
That fatigue comes in part from the multiple injuries that Wilmington has suffered over the course of the season. They were without three of their starting offensive linemen — Tyler George, Anthony Berardi and Ben Patterson — who also were featured defensive players, while skill players Mark Shenker and Colton Marett each missed time with their own injuries against the Steelers.
“I don’t think the score was really indicative at all of the way the game went,” Verrelli said. “We just have way too many injuries. We have kids in there who are just not ready, but they have to play. I’ve never had this many injuries and it’s taking its toll. But they did a really good job, I’m proud of them.”
The Steelers (4-0, 5-0) focused heavily on their two-headed rushing attack of Braxton Chapman and Malachi Newell. The duo combined for 305 rushing yards and two scores.
Wilmington’s offense never got into a rhythm, totaling just 154 yards of offense. Quarterback Spencer DeMedal tried to create a spark, but needed help. He finished the game with 78 yards and a score on the ground, but went 7-for-19 with just 53 yards through the air.
“The plays are set up for him to do some reading,” Verrelli said. “That’s why he’s the quarterback, he can make things happen. But you can’t do it by yourself. We dropped passes, there are young guys dropping passes and that can’t happen in a tough game like that.”
The number of fumbles (four total, two lost) and penalties (3-35) didn’t cripple the ‘Hounds, yet the timing did. The two fumbles that Wilmington recovered occurred on first down, halting any momentum the ‘Hounds had.
“We can’t afford any bad plays,” Verrelli said. “You’re only going to get so many, especially against a good team. They set you back and you’re not going to convert on long third downs too much. It’s hard, but it’s the way it is. You have to use what you got.”
(Email: AKoob@ncnewsonline.com)
FARRELL WILMINGTON
17 First downs 7
393 Yards Rushing 122
13 Yards Lost 27
380 Net Rushing 95
8 Passes Attempted 19
4 Passes Completed 7
0 Passes Intercepted 0
57 Yards Passing 59
437 Total Yards 154
3-0 Fumbles-Lost 4-2
3-25.67 Punts-Average 4-31.75
6-45 Penalties-Yards 3-35
FARRELL 0 14 0 23 — 37
WILMINGTON 0 0 6 0 — 6
Scoring plays
FARRELL — Alex Myers, 1-yard run (run failed).
FARRELL — Braxton Chapman, 67-yard run (Myers run).
WILMINGTON — Spencer DeMedal, 15-yard run (kick blocked).
FARRELL — Myers, 4-yard run (Malachi Newell pass from Myers).
FARRELL — Newell, 15-yard run (Newell run).
FARRELL — Deante Phillips, 10-yard run (Marcus McCoy kick).
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