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2025 WILMINGTON GREYHOUNDS PREVIEW
By Joe Saqer, NWPA Sports Senior Contributor

NEW WILMINGTON -- Wilmington experienced an anomaly last season with a two-person senior class.

What wasn’t strange, though, was the Greyhounds won another District 10 championship.

This fall, with most of the team returning, Wilmington has its sights set high once again. The ’Hounds want to add a 19th district trophy to an already overflowing collection.

“When the guys reflected on last season, I think they were proud of what they accomplished,” Wilmington coach Brandon Phillian said. “I can attest to watching their work ethic, they remain humble and hungry. While they feel fortunate to have had the experience of last season, they are not satisfied. They are hungry to achieve more this year than what they achieved last year.”

The progress has been apparent for the ’Hounds, who finished 8-3 after a 38-20 setback to Port Allegany in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 1A playoffs.

“There was a learning curve last year. Some of the mistakes we made early on, guys really developed and grew throughout the season,” Phillian said. “We hope to pick up right where we left off last year, but still show that same amount of growth. We’re looking to do things better than last year, both in the mental and physical aspects of the game.”

The ’Hounds have grown on and off the football field, which excited Phillian and his coaches the most.

“It’s very rewarding,” he said. “When you take a group last year that was almost entirely underclassmen and see the leaders they have developed into and the character the program has given them and what they’ve given back to the program, it’s great. We’re seeing the development and growth not just as players, but as young men.”

Offensively, Wilmington returns its leading rushers to the Wing-T offense in Chase Mitcheltree (1,025 yards, 16 TDs), Jamieson Miller (816,7), Michael Mistretta (425, 5) and Cael Kettering (403, 5). However, Miller's status is in question after sustaining a knee injury during preseason camp.

“We are expecting big contributions from those guys,” Phillian said.

Incumbent starter Wesley Vass-Gal and Rowan Miller are battling for time at quarterback. Freddie Zehetner led the team with 12 receptions for 265 yards and eight scores last year.

“Freddie had a huge impact on games from the outside,” Phillian said. “We have a nice corps of skill guys that teams are going to have to defend.”

As always, the ’Hounds have size and talent up front in returning starters Jacob Coulter and Collin Rolli (tackles), Danny Leonard and Maverick Whiting (guards) and Aden Boyer (center).

“All five of those guys have really committed and dedicated themselves in the weight room this offseason,” Phillian said. “They really bought into it and made tremendous gains in the weight room. You can already see those gains showing on the field.”

Those five lead the way up front for the "Hounds Hammer" defense, too. Jude Beatty, Jared Lohrenz and Kettering will see time as well.

“The big thing this year is the communication, defensively. Special teams have defenses that communicate well,” Phillian said. “We want to see our guys communicating at a high level right from the start of the season. When you look at a team like ours, that is an experienced group, we can really have a leg up on communication on the defensive side of the ball.”

Jamieson Miller, Rowan Miller and Leonard return as starting linebackers. Ryder Tervo, Kettering, Zehetner, Mistretta, Vass-Gal and Mitcheltree bring experience to the secondary as well.

“What a difference there is when you have a veteran team. There’s no substitute for experience,” Phillian said. “We’re a lot further ahead at this point this year than a year ago. We have a phenomenal senior class this year. There’s a lot of great leadership there. They are working with and mentoring our younger players on this team. I am really excited about the leadership and character of this senior group.”

The squad is prepared for a rugged Region 1 schedule as well as challenging nonregion games against Greenville, Hubbard (Ohio), Northern Bedford County, Berlin Brothersvalley, Grand Valley and Karns City.

“It will be very tough. There are no easy games within our region. The region will have to go through Farrell, as it has the past few seasons,” Phillian said. “We know we will have great games with the other opponents. Everybody knows each other. We have to bring our 'A' game in those region battles.

“We have some tough games in nonregion games. We look forward to those matchups as well.”

Phillian likes what he’s seen from his troops, so far.

“I can’t stress how much the coaches and I enjoy working with the senior group and how strong the leadership is with the seniors,” he said. “They are taking time to be great teammates to help teach and bring along the younger players. We hope for a great season ahead.”