By Ed Farrell

Herald Assistant Sports Editor

Three years ago a season-ending setback to Sharpsville caused Mercer High’s football program to miss an opportunity to qualify for the District 10 playoffs. But coach Pat McClearn’s Mustangs have been making the Blue Devils pay ever since, mustering 3 concecutive wins at Sharpsville’s expense, including earlier this season.

Now the pair of proud programs have come full circle.

Tonight Mercer meets Sharpsville in the District 10 Class A tournament semifinals. The winner will take on the survivor of the other semifinal involving defending district titlist Farrell and Linesville.

It’s somewhat ironic tonight’s tilt takes place on Wilmington’s Greyhounds Stadium artificial surface. That’s where that 2006 finale took place on a Saturday afternoon, owing to inclement weather that wreaked havoc on area gridirons. When Sharpsville secured that 23-15 win in McClearn’s 1st season at the Mustangs’ helm, Mercer ended 5-5 and on the outside looking in.

Since that slight, McClearn and Mercer have made the postseason 3 straight seasons, shutting out Sharpsville in ’07 (14-0) and ’08 (21-0) regular-season meetings, then notching another win (28-14) earlier this season at McCracken Field’s pines.

The constant for Mercer during those last 4 meetings with Sharpsville has been quarterback Andrew Erdos. Collectively, the senior has rushed 44 times for 198 yards (4.5 yards/carry) and a trio of TDs and completed 13 of 33 passes for 231 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception and a 2-point PAT. During this season’s win Erdos ended with 92 yards rushing and a TD.

Sharpsville signal-caller Frank Joseph actually had better numbers (89 yards rushing, 1 TD; 77 yards passing) than Erdos, but the Mustangs mustered a 281-180 edge on the ground, led by Erdos, Rawlins Huntley and Kyle Mariacher, who rambled for 86 and 85 yards and tallied 1 and 2 TDs, respectively. Also, the Mustangs coerced 4 Sharpsville miscues.

Since a 1-3 start to the season (losing to Mercyhurst Prep, Farrell and Linesville), the Mustangs (8-3) have secured 7 straight successes, including last week’s vindication over previously undefeated Prep (28-20). Similarly, Sharpsville (9-2) has rebounded from back-to-back mid-season losses to Mercer and Farrell by winning 4 consecutive contests, including last week’s (27-14) clubbing of Cambridge Springs.

Mercer made it to the ’07 D-10 title tilt (losing 21-19 to Prep) and last season’s semifinals (losing to Linesville, 35-7, at Wilmington).

Sharpsville was shut out of the postseason a year ago, but Sharpsville has secured 6 district titles (’86, ’97, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’04), the last 5 directed by Paul Piccirilli. This year’s Devils are powered by running backs Marcus Llewellyn and Nate Titus, both 1,000-plus yard gainers this season.

Mercer, meanwhile, is 0-for-3 in D-10 title tilts (’07, ’93, ’94); however, McClearn served as an assistant on coach Clyde Conti’s Slippery Rock staff that won back-to-back crowns (2002-03).

Tonight