In today’s Class AA quarterfinal game between Kane and Wilmington, history will be made.
For the Wolves’ (13-0) sake, they hope all the historical significance is on their side. Kane, a winner in last week’s PIAA state playoff first round, is primed to make the western finals in Class AA after reaching the final four in 2007 in Class A.
Wilmington, meanwhile, is led by legendary coach Terry Verrelli, who’s sitting on 299 career wins (299-128-3) for the Greyhounds (11-1) in 39 seasons as head coach.
“We don’t really have to talk about it,” Kane head coach Todd Silfies said. “They know exactly what it’s about. They’re the most-intelligent team that I’ve ever had in terms of understanding the grand scheme of everything.”
After winning last Friday against Chestnut Ridge in the PIAA first round, the Kane coaching staff was able to watch Wilmington rout Sharpsville, 56-7, in person. That experience of seeing their opposition first-hand has been helpful in the week of preparations.
“I see a strong, fast, physical, well-coached football team,” Silfies said.
Wilmington’s lone loss of the season was to Class AAA Hickory, which lost to Karns City in last week’s state playoffs. For the first time all season, the Kane enters a game not as the odds-on favorite. Silfies, though, likes his team’s chances.
“We’re certainly not intimidated by them,” Silfies said. “I think we have proved that we’ve been tested throughout the year. We’ve had some teams that are pretty darn tough. Ridgway’s playing [Friday night] and they finished third in the [Allegheny Mountain League] South. We’ve been tested.”
History aside, today’s game at Slippery Rock (1 p.m., Mihalik-Thompson Stadium) figures to be a grudge match on the ground — Wilmington features a top-notch rushing attack, while Kane is led by a talented defense known for punishing ball carriers.
Senior Spencer DeMedal (6-0, 195 pounds) is the leader out of the backfield with 929 yards and 20 touchdowns, while senior Kyle Slicker (5-11, 200) has gained 796 yards and sophomore Cameron Marett has 795 yards and 10 touchdowns. In last week’s District 10 championship game, a 56-7 win over Sharpsville, Marett ran for 79 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries, while adding two interceptions on defense.
The Wolves’ defense, meanwhile, thrive on stopping the run. Last week against Chestnut Ridge, Kane stuffed the Lions in the red zone, turning first-and-goal situation at the 8-yard line to turnover on downs at the 15.
For the year, Silfies’ defense gives up just under 10 points per game (9.6) and surrenders 90 rushing yards per game.
“I think more than anything, it’s about setting the physical tone of the game,” Silfies said. “We have to stay fundamentally sound and trust our keys and our reads along the defensive line.”
Kane’s top rusher, Erik DeLong, has been hobbled by a sore ankle the last few weeks, and Silfies is hopeful that the extra bit of rest — the Wolves got an extra day off by playing on a Saturday for the first time all year and players were given Thanksgiving off — will get him back to full strength.
If he’s not able to be a full-go, senior Frank Truden has filled in admirably the last two games, rushing for more than 100 yards in last weeks’ state playoff game.
While Truden is a bruising back by no stretch of the imagination, he was able to find gaps created by a big and experienced offensive line. When that didn’t work, offensive coordinator Tyler Smith called on junior quarterback Reed Williams (2,117 yards, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions) to utilize a short-passing game to receiver Davis Gardner (47 catches, 678 yards, 12 touchdowns) and tight end Issac Walters.
That “wrinkle” helps keep the defense honest and from bringing a linebacker too far into the box, according to Silfies. If the defense tries to press, speedy Ray Maze (37 catches, 860 yards, 10 scores) is always and over-the-top threat.
The Wolves, which haven’t played a game on a Saturday all season, took advantage of an opportunity to practice Friday on the turf at Bradford High’s Parkway Field.
“Today was probably the best day before a game practice we’ve had, Maybe since I’ve been here,” the fifth-year coach said. “They’re cautiously optimistic and just excited about the opportunity and certainly ready to go out and set the tone for a physical football game.”
The winner of this game faces the District 7 champion — either Neshannock or Steel Valley — next week in the state semifinals.
