Blue Devils visit Farrell in key District 10 Region 1-A clash

October 09, 2008 05:45 pm

— By Ed Farrell
Herald Assistant Sports Editor

Though the regular season is starting its final third — when many teams are pushing for the playoffs — there are more mismatches than showdowns set for this weekend.
However a trio of Mercer County matchups — Sharpsville-Farrell and West Middlesex-Kennedy Catholic in District 10 Region 1-A and Greenville-Hickory in Region 3-AA — will lend spice to an otherwise stale slate.
Tonight’s Games
Sharpsville (4-1, 4-2) at Farrell (3-1, 4-2), 7 p.m.
A 4-game win skein has seen the Steelers outscore its opponents 154-27. Conversely, Mercer shattered Sharpsville’s streak of 4 straight last week (21-0). The winner should share Region 1-A’s top spot with Linesville, and Farrell already has annexed that tiebreaker edge with its win over the Lions.
Two years ago Sharpsville secured a 14-6 win at Anthony J. Paulekas Stadium, but Farrell returned the favor last season (21-15) at McCracken Field’s pines, and this will serve as the Steelers’ homecoming.
The game will be broadcast on NewsTalk 790 (WPIC AM), with Ryan Briggs and Chris Burtch calling the action.
Titusville (2-3, 2-4) at Sharon (3-1, 5-1), 7 p.m.
After Sharon suffered its initial setback of the season last week at New Wilmington, it will look to this as a bounce-back game. Mercer County contingents have experienced mixed results when tangling with Titusville.
The Rockets routed Reynolds (38-0) and edged Hickory (20-18) at Carter Field, sandwiched by a blowout at Greenville (34-0).
Titusville’s John Proano posted a 15-carry, 138-yard rushing performance in last week’s setback to Slippery Rock (34-20) that included a 51-yard scoring sprint that knotted the game at 20 heading into halftime.
The game will be available live on the Internet at www.mogulus.com/sharontigersfootball, with Sharon student Alex Cunningham doing the commentating.
Greenville (2-1, 5-1) at Hickory (0-3, 1-4), 7 p.m.
This year has not proceeded according to plan for the Hornets. But that also was the case last year when Hickory almost upset the Trojans at Greenville’s Stewart Field, so the spoiler’s role could salvage the season.
The game will be broadcast on The River (WLLF, 96.7 FM), with Mark Slezak and Bob Greenburg, and simulcast on WGRP (940 AM) and WLOA (1470 AM), with Kent Bell and Dick Rickert calling the action.
Grove City (1-0, 4-2) at Corry (1-1, 3-3), 7 p.m.
Corry is coming off a loss to the state’s 2nd-ranked AAA squad, Strong Vincent. By halftime the Beavers had surrendered 47 points and were limited to minus-14 yards rushing, according to Erie’s Times-News. Ultimately, Corry collected 27 yards rushing on 30 totes.
These teams have traded shutout wins (Corry, 12-0 in ’06; Grove City, 36-0 last year) at the other’s home field the past two seasons.
Conneaut Lake (2-2, 2-4) at Lakeview (1-3, 2-4), 7 p.m.
The Sailors scored almost as many points in last week’s win over Cochranton (68) as they had in their previous 5 games combined (76).
Lakeview’s lone other win occurred over winless Conneaut Valley (30-14), a team Lake edged (12-8), and last week the Lakers collected a win over Kennedy Catholic.
Conneaut Valley (0-5, 0-6) at Mercer (3-1, 5-1), 7 p.m.
Led by the backfield of Terrence Davis, Rawlins Huntley and Andrew Erdos — who have combined for 1,073 rushing yards — the Mustangs have outscored opponents 186-67.
Valley has been vanquished 192-59, including last week by Linesville (41-8), though Drew Butterfield was a bright spot with a 29-carry, 123-yard, 1-TD, 2-point conversion performance as well as a team-high 12 tackles.
Wilmington (4-0, 6-0) at Reynolds (0-3, 0-6), 7 p.m.
Three years removed from being a cable-televised late-season showdown, on paper this edition would figure to be another stepping stone for playoff-bound Wilmington, which is ranked 5th in the state in Class AA.
The Hounds Hammer defense has surrendered 41 points this season; Reynolds’ offense has scored 31.
LaBrae (3-0, 6-1) at Brookfield (1-1, 2-5), 7 p.m.
Brookfield had difficulty matching up with lightning-quick Liberty in its season opener at Addison, and the OHSAA Division IV, Region 13-rated Vikings seem to be cut from the same mold. LaBrae’s lone loss occurred to Gilmour Academy in its opener, but the Vikings are in the midst of a 6-game win skein.
According to Warren’s Tribune-Chronicle, though missing Mahoning Valley monster tailback Cameron Truss the Vikes vanquished Newton Falls (51-14) last week. Bryce Watkins spelled Truss with a 5-carry, 180-yard outing highlighted by an 80-yard scoring sprint. LaBrae laid 558 total yards (508 rushing on 47 trips) on Newton Falls, including Colton Hill’s 69-yarder.
Saturday’s Game
West Middlesex (2-2, 4-2) at Kennedy Catholic (1-4, 1-5), noon
This also would appear to be a mismatch, but this rivalry’s history has not always gone according to plan.
Twice thus far this season the Big Reds have won back-to-back games, only to take a step backward, and Middlesex may be seeking redemption after last week’s loss to Farrell.
The homecoming contest for Kennedy will be broadcast on The River (WLLF, 96.7 FM), with Jeff Wimer and Bob Greenburg calling the action.

Herald sports writer Rob Malsom contributed research for this preview.

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