RAY SWANSON | Keystoner W. Middlesex, Rock lay groundwork

The drive to state proved to be just a ride around the block for two Mercer County area football teams last weekend. The real trip, however, was made during the regular season and the District 10 playoffs.
Class A West Middlesex and Class AA Slippery Rock were eliminated from the PIAA post-season playoffs in first-round encounters last weekend on a night unfit for football encounters. The evening was filled with wet weather and cold temperatures.
At Sharon High Stadium, West Middlesex's Big Reds ran into a real buzzsaw in Clarion-Limestone and were bowled over, 40-7. The Reds couldn't get untracked and the dilemma seemed to mushroom from the opening kickoff. At Punxsutawney, Slippery Rock's Rockets battled tooth-and-nail before coming up on the short end against a stubborn Brockway eleven, 12-7.
The losses by our area teams were heartbreaking to say the least but both the Big Reds and the Rockets had tremendous seasons. The Reds closed the books on a 9-3 note while the Rockets showed an 8-4 campaign. Both the Big Reds and the Rockets ventured where none of their schools' predecessors had ever gone before. It was virgin territory. And to both schools, it's hats off time for being part of the state's best 16 football teams during the 2002 season.
And it's been said that, "it's what comes before that sets the stage for what comes after."
Coach Rich Resatar's Big Reds and Clyde Conti's Rockets have spread the tablecloth of success for future West Middlesex and Slippery Rock teams to enjoy. Once that initial success has been enjoyed, it seems easier for future teams to fall in line. It's like a big cycle and it all points to better things ahead for both schools on the football field.
Westminster hoops
Westminster College's 2002-2003 basketball season opened Friday and Saturday with the annual Buzz Ridl Classic. Action will resume on Monday when the Titans make their first road trip of the season, traveling to Case Western Reserve for a 7:30 p.m. encounter.
The Titans do not open play in the Presidents' Athletic Conference until Jan. 18 at Thiel.
Following is the remainder of the Titans' schedule: Dec. 1, Wooster, 4 p.m.; Dec. 4, Mount Union, 8 p.m.; Dec. 7, Frostburg State, 3 p.m.; Dec. 9, Penn State Behrend, 8 p.m.; Dec. 17, at Mount Aloysius, 7 p.m.; Dec. 20, Allegheny, 8 p.m.; Dec. 30, at Geneva, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 7, at LaRoche, 7:30 p.m.
The PAC schedule: Jan. 18, at Thiel, 3 p.m.; Jan. 22, at Grove City, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 25, Waynesburg, 6 p.m.; Jan. 29, Washington & amp; Jefferson, 8 p.m.; Feb. 1, at Bethany, 2 p.m.; Feb. 3, at Waynesburg, TBA; Feb. 8, Thiel, 3 p.m.; Feb. 12, Grove City, 8 p.m.; Feb. 15, at Waynesburg, TBA; Feb. 19, at Washington & amp; Jefferson, TBA; Feb. 22, Bethany, 3 p.m.; Feb. 25, PAC Tournament.
The following radio stations will broadcast the Titan basketball games during the 2002-2003 season: WWW (88.9), New Wilmington; WKST (1200), New Castle and WEXC (107.1-FM), Greenville.
Baker honored
Westminster football standout Nevin Baker, a product of Erie McDowell High School, was one of 22 players named recently to the 2002 Verizon College Division All-District II football team. Baker is now eligible for the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America Football Team which will be announced in Dec.
Baker, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior tight end, is a two-year starter and four-year letterman. He has 12 pass receptions for 125 yards.