Battle from behind gives Greyhounds 17-14 victory

Kennedy took an early lead, but the game was tied going into the last quarter.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON -- There were no tickets to the post-season or regional titles on the line when Kennedy Catholic and Wilmington squared off Friday night.
Both teams already qualified for the District 10 playoffs, Kennedy as the champion of Region 1-A and Wilmington in Region 3-AA.
However, providing at least a tune-up for the post-season, the Greyhounds (8-1) defeated the Golden Eagles (7-2) 17-14 in the regular season finale.
Last week, the Greyhounds suffered their only defeat, 3-0 to Slippery Rock, and Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli felt it was a nice way for his kids to bounce back from the loss.
Coaches' comments
"This was good for our kids to win this game," said Verrelli. "The fact that we already won the region made it a little difficult to get up for this game. We certainly didn't want to get anyone hurt and were really trying to get ready for the playoffs."
Kennedy coach Mike Donato was quick to point out that his players hurt themselves with missed opportunities.
"We certainly had our chances to win tonight, but we just didn't come up with enough big plays when we needed them," he said.
It took the Golden Eagles just two plays to take the first lead of the game. Running back Lee Plotts scooted 63 yards for a touchdown.
"They [Wilmington] showed us a different look on defense they normally play," said Donato. "When we saw that, we knew what we wanted to do."
On the Golden Eagles' second possession of the game, the Wilmington defense forced a punt, which Jeremy Beatty blocked, and Scott Lewis scooped up the ball on the 18 and ran it in for the score.
"These kids have had to battle and scrap from behind all year, and I think that helped us tonight," Verrelli said. "They [Kennedy] have a big, physical team, but I think our quickness was the difference in that play."
Kennedy's downfall
Donato felt the blocked punt and lost fumble deep in Wilmington territory were backbreakers.
"Those two plays really hurt us," he said. "On the one play, they score a touchdown, and on the other, we don't get a score. That is a big 14-point swing."
The teams traded scores in the third period for a 14-all tie heading into the final period.
Kennedy drove to the Wilmington 27 only to lose the ball on downs, then Wilmington put together the winning drive.
Quarterback Jake Reiber completed passes of 17 yards to David Bruno and 13 to Matt Wagner before Lewis ripped off a 32-yard run to the Kennedy 13.
Three plays later on fourth-and-11 from the Golden Eagle 15, Wilmington's Nick Riggall split the uprights with a 32-yard field goal with 8:10 remaining in the game.
Kennedy had two more opportunities to either tie or win the game in the final eight minutes, but both fell short of the sticks, and the Greyhounds ran off the final seconds to preserve the win.