District 10 Region 2 Preview

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 10, News

Shane Lux | August 25, 2022

District 10 Region 3 Preview

Farrell – 2021 Record: 11-1

Summary: The goal for Farrell High School remains the same: make it to the state championship game. That was the only thing the 2021 Steelers failed to do, losing 27-18 to Serra Catholic in the state semifinals. Farrell outscored opponents 582-101 on the season while applying the mercy rule to all but three schools along the way.

Key Players Lost:

Tailback Anthony Stallworth rushed for 2,340 yards and 30 touchdowns. Trian Holden split time at quarterback with Kabron Smith and completed 41-of-60 passes for 785 yards, 15 TDs, and 3 Ints. Omar Stewart Jr. caught 23 passes for 457 yards and nine touchdowns. Taidon Strickland led the team in tackles with 114. Dwight Allen led the team in interceptions with four while adding six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.

Key Players Returning:

Kabron Smith: completed 37-of-52 passes for 612 yards, ten touchdowns, and three interceptions. Kylon Wilson: Wilson led the team with 34 receptions for 661 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 235 yards rushing and six more scores on the ground. Lamont Samuels and Brandon Chambers each ran for 263 and 291 yards last season. The Steelers return several talented linemen, including Malikye Green, Marion Norris, Malichi Shephard, and Anthony Jackson.

Conclusion: Farrell will win many football games and make another deep playoff run. Don’t be surprised if they’re in the state championship game. The Steelers are as talented as any 2A school in the state.

Greenville – 2021 Record: 7-4

Summary: Greenville is looking to build off its first winning season since 2017. The Trojans went 7-4 last season, twice losing to eventual District X Champion Farrell, including a 60-14 loss in the playoffs.

Key Players Lost:

Jalen Ritzert: He completed 66-of-137 passes for 924 yards, eight touchdowns, five interceptions, and 38 tackles on defense. Levi Swartz: rushed for a team-high 1049 yards and 16 touchdowns. Anthony Gentile and Caleb Springer, 52 and 50 tackles, respectively. Gentile added 11 sacks.

Key Players Returning:

Jase Herrick: led the team with 28 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns. He also led the team with 96 tackles. Malachi Hyde: rushed for 570 yards, four touchdowns, and 64 tackles on defense. Mason Dickens ran for 373 yards, four touchdowns, 48 tackles, and two sacks on defense. Aden Sasala rushed for 331 yards, four touchdowns, 49 tackles, and a sack on defense.

Conclusion: The schedule hasn’t done the Trojans any favors this season. However, there is room for optimism as Greenville boasts many talented young players. How well they can replace Ritzert at quarterback and the 1000-yard season Swartz gave them on the ground will determine their success this year.

Grove City – 2021 Record: 10-3

Summary: Grove City enters the 2022 season as the defending District X 3A Champions. The Eagles played revenge in the playoffs last season, defeating Fort LeBoeuf 35-21 and Slippery Rock 28-20, avenging losses to both the Bison and Rockets in the regular season. Grove City also quickly dispatched Fairview for a second time 42-7 in the opening round of the District X playoffs before succumbing to Central High School 35-6 in the state quarterfinals.

Key Players Lost:

Curtis Hovis: 1088 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, 45 tackles, two sacks. Zach Rodgers: 25 receptions for 273 yards, four touchdowns, 57 tackles, and two interceptions. Cole Hammerman: 2-way lineman, 65 tackles, two sacks. Nate Wadsworth: A 2-way lineman with 37 tackles, led the team with six sacks. Gage Dlugonski: 2-way lineman, 32 tackles, one sack.

Key Players Returning:

Hunter Hohman: completed 151-of-242 passes for 23 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, rushed for 467 yards and six scores. Anthony Nemec: ran for 772 yards, scored team-high 13 rushing touchdowns, 181 yards receiving and three scores, 53 tackles, and two sacks. Gavin Lutz led the team with 59 receptions for 625 yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions, and 51 tackles. Joey Hathaway: 29 receptions for 585 yards, tied for the team lead with six receiving touchdowns, 30 tackles, and one interception.

Conclusion: Grove City is as talented as any team in Region 3, same for District X 3A as far as skill guys are concerned. The Eagle’s challenge will require them to replace what they lost at the line of scrimmage. If they can pull it off, they’re more than capable of winning another District X crown.

Hickory – 2021 Record: 7-4

Summary – Hickory comes off a 7-4 campaign that saw the Hornets advance to the second round of the District X playoffs last season with a 23-17 loss to Slippery Rock.

Key Players Lost:

Ramarion Whitehead: led the team with 53 receptions for 829 yards and, tied for the team lead with nine touchdowns and 11 tackles, led the team with six interceptions. Jackson Pryts: 39 receptions for 631 yards, tied for the team lead with nine touchdowns, led the team with 113 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. Joey Fazzone: 2-way lineman, 81 tackles, led the team with seven sacks.

Key Players Returning:

Logan Woods: He completed 137-of-223 passes for 2110 yards, 27 TD, 12 Int, 121 yards rushing, and one touchdown. Keenan Scullin: 36 receptions, 607 yards, five touchdowns, and 31 tackles. Ty Holland: 73 tackles, two sacks, 78 yards rushing, two touchdowns, 45 yards receiving, three touchdowns. Sean Kennedy: 99 tackles, one sack, team-high 566 yards rushing, eight touchdowns. Nakeem Jones: rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns.

Conclusion: Hickory returns a lot of talent for the 2022 season. I expect the Hornets to contend for a District Title this season. While they need to replace their two leading receivers from a year ago, Hickory has plenty of young talent returning and coming up. Expect another big season from Logan Woods.

Sharon – 2021 Record: 6-4

Summary: Sharon returned to the playoffs in 2021 with a 6-4 campaign that saw their season end with a 36-20 playoff loss to Hickory. The Tigers won three consecutive District X Titles from 2017-19, advancing to back-to-back state semifinals in 2017 and 2018. Sharon had a disappointing 2020 season with a 2-5 record but will look to build off of last year’s 6-4 success.

Key Players Lost:

Jaon Phillips: Led the team with 49 receptions for 885 yards and seven touchdowns and 18 tackles and led the team with four interceptions. Jayden Robinson: Led the team in tackles with 90 and four sacks with two interceptions. Dante Currie: 2-way lineman, 49 tackles, three sacks, and an interception on defense. Conner Krecek: 70 tackles. Shane Rowe: 45 tackles and two sacks.

Key Players Returning:

Mikey Rodriques: 100-of-184, 1560 yards, 14 TD, 8 INT, 216 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 34 tackles, and an interception. Jayveerh White: Led the team with 602 yards rushing, seven touchdowns, and 26 tackles. Cortez Nixon: 404 yards rushing, three touchdowns, and 27 tackles. C’Angelo Harrison: 24 receptions for 376 yards and two touchdowns.

Conclusion: Sharon should be able to put the ball in the end zone this season. Their question will be how their defense responds after losing their top four leading tacklers to graduation. Expect the Tigers to be back in the playoffs competing for District Crown.

Wilmington – 2021 Record: 7-3

It’s been a couple years since the Greyhounds have been a true contender but this year it looks like they’re a team on the verge of returning to greatness. But in this conference, it won’t be easy. “District 10, Region 3 will provide outstanding matchups for Mercer County football fans all season long. There will be no easy games. This region will be one of the most exciting regions both locally and across the state. We are looking forward to a competitive and exciting region schedule.”

Luckily for coach Brandon Phillian they return a large portion of last years team. Junior Tuff McConahy returns at QB, but they’ll need to replace top rushers Luke Edwards and Gage DeCaprio. Ben Miller and Tyler Mikulin will see most of the carries. Another spot they’ll need to improve quickly is the O-Line. They return only two.

It’s the defense that will keep them in games early. Wilmington returns 6 players with starting experience. Davis Phanco and Carter Horkovy will lead a speedy and aggressive defense.

Slippery Rock – 2021 Record 7-2

This is a team that will make some noise in D10. Larry Wendereusz has a pile of talent returning. Two year starter William Mokel thre for over 1100 yards and had 15 tds last year. John Sabo returns at the wideout spot. With three returning linemen, look for Maddox Allen and Galcik to improve carrying the ball. “Offensively, with a lot of experience coming back, we are hoping to be able to get off to a good start. We believe we will be able to run the ball better this season with 3 returning offensive linemen back and two other guys that saw time last season. We have 3 or 4 running backs that will see time this season behind the line. With a 3 year starter at quarterback, we believe our passing game and RPO game will be better this season. Our wide receiving core brings a lot of speed and versatility.”

Defensively the Rockets bring back three linemen that started or sal a lot of playing time. Galcik and Mullen are expected to anchor the D-line and at linebacker Lucas Allison will be a threat to stop plays every down. “Defensively we return 3 defensive linemen that started or saw a lot of playing time. Along with two inside linebackers that played significant roles last season, we hope to be able to stop the run more effectively. In the secondary we have 3 returning starters. We hope the leadership that this brings will help solidify the secondary.”

Sharpsville – 2021Record 7-3

Last year a a little crazy with the :emergency” co-op with West Middlesex but it looks like the Blue Devils are returning to a little normalcy. The team is now eligible for the playoffs and they have the roster to make a run. Paul Piccifilli will need to replace all three runners. It does help having Caullin Summers returning behind center. It also helps to have top receiver Garen Levis returning. Blaze Campbell comes over from Kennedy Catholic at the TE spot.

Defensively Sharpsville is sold with several players returning at key spots.

Summary: Look for Sharpsville to reload and build off last years highly successful campaign.