'Hounds roll past Sharon

Wilmington will play for the district crown next week against Fairview.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SLIPPERY ROCK -- After getting blanked 21-0 by Reynolds in last year's title game, all Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli and his players wanted was another shot at the district crown.
Saturday night, Verrelli and his squad got their wish as they downed the Sharon Tigers, 35-7, to advance to next weekend's title game. In that game, the Greyhounds will play Fairview at a site and time to be determined by district officials. Fairview was a 32-7 winner over Grove City in the other semifinal.
"It [getting to the championship game] is as exciting as the first time we got there," said Verrelli. "I have been through a few of them, but a lot of these kids haven't. They are excited, we'll go back and regroup and get ready for the game."
The meeting between the Greyhounds and Tigers was the second of the season. Wilmington won the first, 42-7.
"[Sharon] played tough in the first half," praised Verrelli. "They came out here to win the game the same as we did and I have to give them a lot of credit."
Sharon coach Bob Fromm said he was happy with the progress his team has made.
"Those kids came out and made a commitment to what we wanted them to do," said Fromm. "Although it didn't work out for us tonight, we played as hard as we could have for three quarters. We played our butts off, and as far as the fourth quarter, I am not sure what happened. I guess we'll have to watch the films to determine that."
Defense leads way
Defense was the name of the game in the first half as the two teams traded touchdowns for a 7-7 tie at the break.
After three punts to begin the game, the Greyhounds took advantage of good field position on the Sharon 37 as a result of a short Tiger punt. Five plays later, quarterback Jake Reiber sneaked in from one yard out and Nick Riggall's PAT made it 7-0 with two minutes left in first period.
Sharon, thanks to a 39-yard kickoff return by Justin White, took over on their own 44-yard line. Taking advantage of the good field position, the Tigers marched the 56 yards on eight plays, Kellen Harris capping the drive with a 7-yard TD scamper around his own left end. Terry Flaugher's PAT knotted the score at 7-all just over two minutes into the second quarter.
The Hounds posed one threat prior to halftime, but a 40-yard field goal attempt by Nick Riggall was wide to the left.
Dominated second half
But then came the second half and it was all Greyhounds as the Wilmington offense ran off 28 unanswered points while the 'Hounds defense completely bottled up the Sharon offense.
"We just didn't have any fire in the first half and maybe a little yelling in the locker room at halftime made the difference," said Verrelli. "The only thing I know is that they came back and played the second half the way they are capable of playing."
Forrest Minteer led all rushers in the game with 113 yards on 10 carries.