OPINION —
WE ALL KNOW the dislike between Sharon and Farrell, Grove City and Hickory, Reynolds and Greenville, West Middlesex and Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Kennedy Catholic.
Mercer County sports fans know these rivalries all too well.
We can argue until the cows come home about which rivalry is better or more intense and never come to a consensus.
There are a couple things all of will agree on whether you live in Hermitage, Grove City, Sandy Lake or Transfer — Mercer County football teams are generally better than their northern counterparts and we love it when our teams shut their fans up.
Our eight Class A and AA football teams took their 8 northern tier foes to the woodshed last weekend to the tune of 367-96.
One word sums that up: DOMINATION!
“That’s a testament to the coaching staffs in our region,” Grove City coach Jeff Bell said after his Eagles crushed North East.
“I think that prepares us for the playoffs. By the time you’re in the playoffs, you’re ready.”
Is there anything better than knowing that the District 10 Class A and AA champions will reside within Mercer County’s borders?
The only bad thing for fans of Mercer County is we won’t be able to break out the brooms again this weekend, because four of our teams have to lose — because they’re playing another Mercer County team.
“Now, we have to knock each other out,” Bell said. “In Mercer County, you better have a good coaching staff. You won’t be able to compete (if you don’t). It’s loaded. I don’t care if it’s A, AA or AAA. You better have a good coaching staff or you’ll be in trouble.”
No truer words have been spoken.
Mercer County football is loaded. I wouldn’t be surprised if some other county teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs (ie. Reynolds and Mercer) could have won their playoff openers this year as well.
Bell’s words about the coaching staffs in Mercer County were very accurate as well.
Wilmington’s Terry Verrelli and Sharpsville’s Paul Piccirilli are rock solid coaching legends and will someday soon find themselves in the Mercer County Hall of Fame.
Grove City’s Jeff Bell has over 100 wins at the helm of Grove City and has, like the aforementioned coaches, coached in Hershey for a state title.
West Middlesex’ Jason McElhaney has kept the Big Reds among the county’s best Single-A teams as has Brian Herrick at Greenville in AA.
Dan York has been a solid perennial playoff contender at Lakeview and Jarrett Samuels has guided Farrell to the PIAA Western Finals three times during his brief career.
Hickory’s Bill Brest is no slouch either, having guided the Hornets to at least one playoff win in each of his seasons as head coach.
As fun as sweeping Erie County was last weekend, I have a feeling this weekend is going to be just as fun, watching 8 Mercer County A and AA teams duke it out on the march for a D-10 title.
It’s just too bad four of them will have to go home.
Agree, disagree or just want to comment? Contact Corey at gcsportsguy@yahoo.com.
Sports
RANDOM THOUGHTS: Mercer County teams are in control
- Sports
-
-
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: County track set today at Hickory
The annual Mercer County Track & Field Invitational will be held at Hickory High’s Hornet Stadium today, beginning at 9 a.m.
Competing are all Mercer County teams, Class AAA and AA, as well as Slippery Rock. The meet serves as a warm-up to the District 10 championships set next week at Harbor Creek High. -
RANDOM THOUGHTS: Competitive cheerleading tough for even manly men
WHEN I THINK OF MYSELF, I think I’m one of the more manly men you’ll find.
I definitely don’t mind eating all kinds of meat and potatoes. I love watching sports — and participating in them when I can.
I do many other things that ‘real’ men do that aren’t fit for print and proper readers.
What I don’t do is wear skinny jeans or other tight-fitting clothes. I don’t wear jewelry nor do I wear colors that lean more to the femine side than the masculine side. -
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: Mercer 9 drops thriller to KC
It was a game both teams were trying to win — it just seemed as though neither wanted to — as Kennedy Catholic High baseball team met Mercer Friday afternoon in an inter-region District 10 affair.
The teams traded late leads before, ultimately, Scott Moore’s fielder’s choice RBI-grounder scored pinch-runner Ethan Feldmiller with the game-winner, as KC captured an 11-10 conquest. -
NCAA Football: Rock 6-1 after 17-3 win over Cal U
Slippery Rock University rode a length-of-the-field scoring drive by its offense and a goal-line stand by its No. 1-ranked defense late in the first half of action Saturday to a 17-3 win over 14th-ranked visiting California (Pa.).
-
NFL: Steelers top Jags as Mendenhall makes return
Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to say the Pittsburgh Steelers are back. Not after watching his team sleepwalk through the second half against Jacksonville on Sunday.
-
IndyCar Racing: Crash takes Wheldon’s life
Every race car driver heads onto the track understanding this race could be the last and hoping it won’t be. On Sunday, IndyCar drivers got a harsh reminder when the worst happened to one of their own.
-
NHL: Sabres beat Penguins 3-2
The Buffalo Sabres have had trouble with the Pittsburgh Penguins whether Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin play or not.
-
NHL Quick glance: Montreal at Pittsburgh
A breakdown of the National Hockey League game Thursday night between the Pittsburgh Penguins and visiting Montreal Canadiens.
-
High School Highlights: Oct. 19, 2011
A look at the last few days in local high school fall sports action.
-
Leading Off: Oct. 19, 2011
News and notes from the local, regional and national sports scene.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
