NWPASports.com

(Statistical Information Courtesy of NWPASports.com archives)

WILMINGTON GREYHOUNDS 2023 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Head Coach: Brandon Phillian, 6th year (45-14)
Last Year: 3-7, qualified for District 10 Class 2A playoffs

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By Joe Sager
NWPASports.com Senior Contributor

NEW WILMINGTON -- Wilmington is ready to do a flip this fall.

The Greyhounds, perennial District 10 contenders, found themselves in a strange place last November when they finished with a 3-7 record after a 21-14 defeat to Mercyhurst Prep in the District 10 Class 2A playoffs.

“I don’t think the taste of last season sits well in the mouths for these guys. They are excited to get to work and have a successful season this year,” Wilmington coach Brandon Phillian said. “We hope that last season was a blip on the radar and hope to get back to the proud standard Wilmington’s football team is known by.”

Wilmington had a small senior class last season, which gave opportunity for younger players to see plenty of time in key roles.

“There’s no substitute for experience. When you look at last year, we only had four seniors – three full-time players and one we shared with soccer,” Phillian said. “We had a lot of underclassmen gain experience a year ago .We feel that experience coming back this year is one of the strongest points of the team and one of the things we’re most excited about.”

The ’Hounds have a lot of veterans back on offense, with eight starters returning. The running game – the emphasis of Wilmington’s Wing-T offense – remains intact as Ben Miller, Buddah Book and Tyler Mikulin head into their senior years. Those three combined for 1,217 yards.

“Those guys did a great job in the backfield last year. They are selfless players,” Phillian said. “They are happy to run and catch the ball, but just as happy to block for one another as well. When you have a trio willing to block for each other as much as they are, you have a chance to have some special backs. We’re excited about the prospects of what those three can do for our team this season.”

Aidan Gardner, Hunter Jones and Chase Mitcheltree could see time in the backfield as well.

Wilmington looks for returning starters Rocky Serafino, Will Bruckner, Willie Moore and Jake Coulter, as well as Collin Rolli, to open up holes for the running game on the offensive line.

“We didn’t graduate anyone from the interior line, so that’s a real bonus for us,” Phillian said. “We’re very happy with that group. That’s one of the keys for us, offensively. The line really has to come together as a unit. Now that they are back with a full year of experience, I think that can one of the biggest positives for us this season.”

Serafino, a senior, was a Region 3 first-team all-star up front. “Rocky Serafino is the anchor of the line. We’re expecting big things out of him,” Phillian said.

The ’Hounds will have a new look at quarterback after Tuff McConahy transferred to Girard (Ohio) in the offseason. A trio of players is battling for playing time under center.

“That’s something we’re continuing to evaluate each and every day,” Phillian said. “We’re looking at a number of different guys there.”

Book led the team with 23 catches for 318 yards and sophomore receivers Freddie Zehetner and Ashton Reader will be involved in the offense, too, along with classmates Jamie Miller and Danny Leonard at tight end.

The ’Hounds Hammer defense has plenty of veterans in linemen Rolli, Bruckner, Coulter up front, along with ends Maverick Whiting, Serafino, Horchovy and Leonard.

Book, Miller and Mikulin offer versatility at linebacker because they could shift to the secondary whenever needed. “We’re very fortunate we can play them at the second or third level and kind of fill in accordingly,” Phillian said.

Jamie Miller, Gardner and Moore are at linebacker, too. Michael Mistretta, Zehetner, Reeder and Mitcheltree will see time in the secondary.

 “We had a lot of guys playing new positions last year and one of the goals is to improve our pre-snap communication,” Phillian said. “You want guys to play fast football on the defensive side of the ball. Having that year of experience under their belts, we want them to see and react instead of seeing and being uncertain. We don’t want to be thinking about what we have to do out there, but just reacting to what we’re seeing.”

Kicker James Winters returns from last year. Ryder Tervo and Seth Arblaster are kickers as well. Mikulin returns at punter.

“It’s nice to have that luxury of having depth and experience there,” Phillian said. “We expect them to continue the good work.”

Phillian has been impressed with his team’s progress.

“One thing I think is a real strength is that you can see the team chemistry and camaraderie. This is a group really jelling at the right time. There are strong relationships off the field as well as on it. It’s hard to quantify, but you can see this team has it. We’re hoping it will be a factor in what we hope will be a successful season.”

The ’Hounds face a challenge with a talented Region 3 field once again.

“I think it’s one of the stronger regions in the state. You have 2A and 3A teams combined and all are tough,” Phillian said. “In 2A, Farrell is the reigning champ and good every year. Sharpsville is always a well-coached team. Greenville has a new coach, but is a proud program. There’s no easy game on the schedule. That’s a challenge we look forward to and we welcome.”