Wilmington rolls past Greenville @NW_Hounds_FB
Tagged under: District 10, Gameday Hub, News
Shane Lux | September 19, 2021
Greenville: Wilmington rushed for 294 yards and got back on their winning ways up a 42-15 win over Greenville Saturday night.
“Greenville is very well-coached and Coach Herrick and his staff do a great job,” said Wilmington head coach Brandon Phillian. “We know anytime we play Greenville that we’re going to be in a game.”
The ‘Hounds opened the scoring in on their initial drive as Gage DeCaprio scored on a 44-yard run on a 4th-and-2.
“That was big because it was decision time for us, said Phillian. “We felt we had a good play ready for that particular scenario. What got the look we wanted and Gage made cut and turned on the jets.”
Rocky Serafino then intercepted Jalen Ritzert, and three plays later, Luke Edwards scored from four yards out.
Both Edwards and DeCaprio rushed for 100 yards as they tallied 124, and 135 respectively.
“Luke Edwards is a great back and has been phenomenal for us all season,” said Phillian. “In our offense, however, we need two backs to be successful, and Gage DeCaprio tonight proved that he can help make us a better football team, not just tonight but also going down the road.”
Greenville cut the deficit in half as Ritzert connected with Jase Herrick for a 76-yard touchdown.
Jase Herrick 76 yd pass from Jalen Ritzert, Wilmington 13 Greenville 7, 5:12 2nd, @BobGreenburg pic.twitter.com/XwR4qOiiBY
— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) September 18, 2021
The celebration was short-lived as Edwards returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.
“Greenville showed a lot of resiliency and they hit us with a splash play,” said Phillian. “For Luke Edwards to do what he did and come right back with the kickoff return, that says a lot about our team. Our kickoff team did a great job with blocking then Luke did the rest with his vision.”
The Trojans did threaten in the closing minutes’ thanks to Rizert’s 51-yard completion to Levi Swartz.
The ‘Hounds defense held on downs at their 6-yard line to preserve their 21-7 lead at the half.
“The other huge turning point in the game was that stand before halftime,” said Phillian. “They had a lot of momentum getting inside our 10-yard line. To hold them to no points there, was huge for us tonight. We were feeling good going into the locker room. If we don’t make that play they would have taken that montuem. Both the kickoff return and that stop won this game for us tonight.”
DeCaprio would score on runs of 11 and two yards in the second half, pushing the Greyhounds lead 35-7.
Wilmington enacted the mercy clock at 7:10 to play on Tuff McConahy’s 23-yard touchdown pass Edwards.
@NW_Hounds_FB @LukeEdwards_3 23 yd td from @TuffMcconahy, Wilmington 42 Greenville 7, 7:10 4th @BobGreenburg pic.twitter.com/ucB7tPaQFr
— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) September 19, 2021
McConahy was 7-for-10 passing for 104 with the touchdown.
Greenville scored its second touchdown of the night against the Wilmington reserves on Rizert’s 15-yard pass to Brady Kincaid with 4:03 to play.
Rizert led Greenville, going 8-for-19, passing for 194 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Herrick had three catches for 91 yards, while Swartz hauled in three passes for 92 yards.
Wilmington returns to action next Saturday afternoon for homecoming as they host Lakeview.
“Anytime you can get back into region play against a familiar opponent it does feel normal,” said Phillian. From last season to this season anything that gives you a sense of normalcy is a good thing. We know Lakeview will be well-rested and ready to go, they will get all of our focus and attention.”
Game Highlights:
Wilmington 42 Greenville 15
Score by Quarters
Wilmington – 13 8 7 14 – 42
Greenville – 0 7 0 8 – 15
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
W – Gage DeCaprio 44 yd run, (James Winters pat), 7:32
W – Luke Edwards 4 yd run, (kick failed), 6:13
Second Quarter
G – Jase Herrick 76 yd pass from Jalen Ritzert, (Bryce Stefanowicz pat), 5:12
W – Edwards 85 yd kickoff return, (Ben Miller rush), 4:48
Third Quarter
W – DeCaprio 11 yd run, (Winters pat), 7:31
Fourth Quarter
W – DeCaprio 2 yd run, (Winters pat), 10:14
W – Edwards 23 yd pass from Tuff McConahy, (Winters pat), 7:10
G – Brady Kincaid 15 yd pass from Ritzert, (Malachi Hyde rush), 4:03
Individual Stats
Rushing: Wilmington – Edwards 19-124, DeCaprio 16-135, Ben Miller 5-15, Tuff McConahy 3-4, Tyler Mikulin 1-4, Anthony Mendenhall 1-10, Caleb Rossi 1-9, Aidan Gardner 1-2, Team 2-(-9). Totals: 49-294. Greenville – Levi Swartz 4-19, Aden Sasala 3-3, Ritzert 3-1, Malachi Hyde 2-8, Mason Dickens 2-55, Nick Solerich 1-4, #27 1-9, Blake Rottman 1-4, Herrick 1-0. Totals: 18-103.
Receiving: Wilmington – Edwards 3-51, Cole McCallister 1-12, DeCaprio 1-12, Miller 2-29. Greenville – Herrick 3-91, Swartz 3-92, Jack Strausser 1-(-4), Kincaid 1-15.
Passing: Wilmington – McConahy 7-for-10, 104 yards, 1 touchdown. Greenville – Ritzert 8-for-19, 194 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, Solderich 0-for-1.
Interceptions: Wilmington – Rocky Serafino.
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