Wildcats QB Stewart's Ankle Injury Monitored

FOOTBALL

Duluth's hopes of reaching the state playoffs in 2011 suffered a major setback Friday when the Wildcats lost to Region 7-AAAAA rival Norcross 35-14 and saw the county's leading quarterback injured as well.

Anfornee Stewart, a gunslinger who surpassed the 1,000-yard passing mark in just four games this season, was injured in the fourth quarter with what was initially diagnosed as a high ankle sprain.

Duluth Patch caught up with Wildcats Coach Corey Jarvis on Sunday who said he was hopeful his quarterback's injury might not be as bad as first thought.

"Right now, we just don't know," Jarvis said. "Initially, we thought it might be a high ankle sprain, but It may just be a grade-1 sprain." If so, Stewart could be back sooner rather than later.

"We won't know how bad it is until midweek," Jarvis said. "Right now our athletic trainer has him in a boot, and he's staying off his feet. Hopefully, we will know more by Wednesday."

If Stewart is sidelined when the Wildcats host Collins Hill Friday, the starter will be Will Delonenzo, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior who does have some playing experience.

"We would have played him Friday when Stewart was injured, but he got dinged up in a jayvee game earlier in the week, and our trainer wanted him to have a few more days to rest. But he will be ready to start Friday if we need him."

Like Stewart, Delorenzo is a throw-first, run-second type quarterback with good accuracy. "He started our scrimmage against Central Gwinnett earlier this year and played well. He's a good passer, so I have a lot of confidence on him," Jarvis said.

But Stewart won't be easy to replace. He is one of the most feared passers in 7-AAAAA. He had 12 touchdown passes in the first three games this year and had Wildcats fans thinking of making the state playoffs. Before being injured, he completed 17 of 28 passes for 196 yards against the Blue Devils.

SOFTBALL

Duluth 2, Morgan Co. 1, 8 innings

Duluth beat Morgan County 2-1 in eight innings to close out last week's softball action. Erin Lipps delivered what proved to be the winning run in the top of the eighth when she doubled to score Cassie Kooker. Kayla Brown's unassisted double-play in the bottom of the eighth slammed the door shut on Morgan County 2-1. Jeanie Perrucci went 2-for-4 and scored the game's first run in the first inning.

But things turned south last week as Tori Mitchell scattered five hits in five innings in posting her 10th win of the season against only one loss. Taylor Rogers led Mill Creek at the plate with a 3-for-4 effort and three runs scored. Liz Stringer was 3-for-3 with a double for the Hawks. Mill Creek lifted its record to 17-3-1 overall and 8-1 in Region 7-AAAAA. Powerful Mill Creek disposed of Duluth 16-2 in four innings as Morgan Bell went 3-for-3, belted a home run and drove in five runs.

VOLLEYBALL

Duluth's volleyball team improved to 13-7 on the season after coasting to a pair of wins in the Collins Hill Classic. The Wildcats defeated Central Gwinnett 25-15, 25-7 and North Forsyth 25-22, 25-18.