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(Statistical Information Courtesy of Professor Briggs' archives)

WILMINGTON GREYHOUNDS 2021 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Head Coach: Brandon Phillian, 4th year (35-4)
Last Year: 10-1 overall, advanced to PIAA Class 2A finals

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NEW WILMINGTON -- The Wilmington Greyhounds enter the 2021 football season with plenty of questions. However, fourth-year head coach Brandon Phillian and his staff recently have been in this situation and are embracing the challenge.

Prior to the 2019 season, Wilmington had to replace nearly every starter on both sides of the ball after a trip to the state championship game. That description also fits the 2021 Greyhounds, who return two starters on offense and three on defense from a 10-1 squad that won the District 10 2A title and advanced to the state title game.

"I think with anything in life, you always try to draw back to your experiences," Phillian said. "Going through something similar in 2019 has prepared the coaching staff and the team for 2021. The challenge of having to replace so many guys makes things exciting."

The competition for the vacant starting positions added additional vigor to the offseason and preseason workouts, according to Phillian. "There's a different buzz and a different excitement because so many guys are vying for positions and competing for playing time. Last year, it was a very workmanlike and very business-like atmosphere. This year, there's been an added level of excitement. The challenge is something that the coaching staff and the team are embracing and enjoying."

Graduation thinned Wilmington in every position group, most notably the offensive and defensive lines as four decorated linemen graduated. Center Brayden Penwell, a 6-foot-3, 275-pounder, returns for his senior season as the anchor of the offensive line. Penwell earned All-Region recognition last year and could possibly move to tackle, according to Phillian.

Several men are competing for the other four starting spots on the offensive line, including seniors Elon Horchler, Skyler Sholler and Ashton Williamson, junior Matt Sevachko, and sophomores Carter Horkovy, Willie Moore and Rocky Serafino.

"How well the offensive line performers will go a long way in dictating how far we go as a team," Phillian said. "Fortunately, I think that we have some guys who are doing a great job of competing for those jobs up front."

Unlike the Wilmington offensive lines of recent years that averaged over 260 pounds per man, this year's unit will be considerably lighter. Only Penwell and Williamson (260) are listed as weighing over 210 pounds, among the starting contenders.

"It's a group that's definitely going to be a little bit smaller than we have been the past three years," Phillian said. "It's a group that will rely more on quickness. If there's an offensive system that allows for a smaller offensive line, it's the Wing-T. This is a group that can have a lot of success up front."

Senior Cole McCallister and sophomore Tuff McConahy are competing to replace two-year starter Caelan Bender at quarterback. McCallister has completed 7 of 10 pass attempts over the last two seasons as Bender's backup. McConahy saw action as a reserve in 2020.

"Both of them are performing at a very high level," Phillian said. "We would be confident with either of them under center for us. That's a compliment to both of them and the work they have done so far."

Wilmington graduated a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Darren Miller and Ethan Susen. The third starting running back in Wilmington's Wing-T system returns, however, as senior Luke Edwards enters his third season in the starting lineup.

The 200-pound Edwards ran for 331 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 8.5 yards per carry last year. He also ranked third on the team with five catches.

"We expect big things from Luke offensively this season," Phillian said. "He's a dual threat. He does a great job running the ball and we'll look to get the ball in his hands as a runner and as a receiver."

Edwards has played both fullback and halfback during his career and could see time at both spots. Junior Gage DeCaprio, sophomore Tyler Mikulin and sophomore Ben Miller are competing for the other two backfield spots.

Junior Michel Chrastina, a converted running back, has the inside track to start at tight end. At split end, junior Davis Phanco and sophomore Buddah Book are among the contenders to start. The backup quarterback, McCallister or McConahy, could also play split end.

McCallister returns at cornerback while Edwards has moved from outside linebacker to safety. Book, DeCaprio, Phanco and Ty Milliron are competing for the remaining starting spots at cornerback and safety.

"Those guys are doing a very good job. Things are pretty tight right now," Phillian said. "Again, it's a good thing when you have multiple guys competing in those spots."

Sholler returns at middle linebacker and Horchler played extensively at outside linebacker during the 2020 playoff run. Chrastina, Horkovy, Mikulin, Miller, Moore and Sevachko are candidates for linebacker or the front four. Penwell, Serafino and Williamson are in the mix on the defensive line.

Phillian noted that the coaching staff is using several players in a variety of positions in order to determine the best possible front seven. "We're exploring some options right now. We'll be a lot of 4-3 this year, but based on our personnel, we're exploring some different avenues right now."

Sophomore kicker James Winters will be challenged by two newcomers -- senior Camryn Kollar and junior Joe Saterlee -- for the kicking duties this year. McCallister and Mikulin are battling for the punting job.

Wilmington will compete in Region 1, a mixed Class 1A-2A league.

"When you look at Region 1, you would say that the competition is really solid throughout," Phillian said. "Of course, we are very familiar with Farrell, having played them three times a year ago. Farrell returns a lot of players from what was a very, very good team last season.

"Anytime you look at Sharpsville and the veteran coaching staff that they have, you know that the game is going to be a big challenge. Now, you add some players from West Middlesex via the co-op and that strengthens them even more," Phillian said. "Greenville, with Coach (Brian) Herrick and his staff, we know that's always going to be a physical and tough game. Coach (Bill) Hickman and his staff at Lakeview, with what they're doing, Lakeview is a program on the rise.

"When you look at the competition among the 2A teams, it's really steep. There are no weeks off. When you look at the Class 1A teams in the region, Reynolds was a state semifinalist last season. We have Mercer and Kennedy toward the end of the season and teams grow and improve over the course of the season. We know those will be good games with them.

"I expect a lot of close games and that makes for an exciting season when you have a region setup like this," Phillian concluded.