’Hounds’ youth shows in loss to Grove City
Wilmington (7) vs. Grove City (19)
Written: Sep 08, 2012
 By Joe Sager
New Castle News
GROVE CITY — Wilmington High’s football team has many things going for it.
To name a few, the Greyhounds have stellar coaching, quality athletes and some veteran players at key positions.
However, Wilmington has its fair share of first-year starters and needs more game experience to develop its depth.
Problem is, the ’Hounds don’t have the luxury of time if it wants to capture a District 10 Region 3-AA championship. The team’s schedule is frontloaded with contenders. Last night, Wilmington dropped the first test, 19-7, to Grove City at Forker Field.
“We have new faces and it’s just going to take some time to turn into a good football team,” Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said.
Lightning and poor weather delayed kickoff an hour and a half. It didn’t seem to bother the host Eagles (1-0 region, 2-0 overall). Kyle Trinch returned the opening kickoff 42 yards to set up Grove City’s first score.
The ’Hounds (0-1, 1-1) were forced to punt on their ensuing possession and Foster Reznor ran that kick back 62 yards to set up a second Eagles score.
“They are a good football team,” Verrelli said. “Good teams make those plays. (Grove City) is a good opponent and we played hard. We have to go back, find the mistakes and get better. ”
The two special teams plays accounted for precious positive real estate against Wilmington’s strong defense and fueled Grove City, last year’s D-10 Class AAA champ, to a 13-0 lead with 4:04 left in the first quarter.
“Even with the delay, our kids came out ready to go. They were about ready to break the door (to the locker room) down to get out here. I was concerned that maybe we came out a little too hot,” Grove City coach Jeff Bell said. “I told the kids I was a little concerned earlier in the week with the way we looked and the way we practiced. But, they picked it up and played a great game. That’s a good sign if you can do that.”
Facing a two-score deficit before their offense found a rhythm, the ’Hounds answered on their next possession. Tyler Donati bulled his way through the Eagles’ defense and broke loose for a 41-yard TD scamper.
That trimmed the team’s margin to 13-7, but Wilmington could not muster more scoring. Donati, a senior fullback, finished with 14 carries for 149 yards, but when starting halfbacks Josiah Bloise and Nic Pugh were knocked out of the game in the second quarter with injuries, the ’Hounds struggled. The team lost a fumble and had a pass intercepted as well.
“Once we lost the two starting halfbacks, we’re really green after that and that’s one of our problems now,” Verrrelli said. “We’ll work through it.”
Grove City’s ball-control offense gave the Eagles a decisive advantage in time of possession, which limited Wilmington’s chances. The hosts added another touchdown to extend their lead to 19-7.
“Mentally, we got a little bit tougher this week,” Bell said. “We played a good football team and we hung in there and had a lot of good things happen. The kids went in and stepped up and did the job.”
The schedule does not get any easier for Wilmington as it battles Hickory, last year’s D-10 Class AA champ, next.
“They are a great football team, especially with their running back. He’s as good as they come,” Verrelli said. “It’ll be another tough football game for us. We’ll get in there and fight.”
(Email: ncsports@ncnewsonline.com)
WILMINGTON.... GROVE CITY
9 First downs 17
170 Yards Rushing 228
2 Yards Lost 10
168 Net Rushing 218
10 Passes Attempted 7
2 Passes Completed 4
1 Passes Intercepted 0
23 Yards Passing 56
191 Total Yards 274
2-1 Fumbles-Lost 2-0
3-40 Punts-Average 1-30
4-40 Penalties-Yards 4-45
WILMINGTON 7 0 0 0 — 7
GROVE CITY 13 6 0 0 — 19
Scoring plays
GROVE CITY — Harold Price, 2-yard run (Justin Fulkerson kick).
GROVE CITY — Foster Reznor, 2-yard run (kick failed).
WILMINGTON — Tyler Donati, 41-yard run (Slavi Pontius kick).
GROVE CITY — Reznor, 5-yard pass from Jared Graham (run failed).
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