Wildcats looking to gain experience quickly

Wed, 08/29/2007 - 8:54am
By: Kevin Wandra

Whitewater Ryan Hidalgo

One of the Police’s most popular songs is “Can’t Stand Losing You.”

The song could best apply to the Whitewater Wildcats and how they feel following the graduation of 42 seniors from a team that reached the state playoffs last year in its first year of postseason eligibility.

Entering last season, Whitewater had a whopping 22 returning starters. This season, Whitewater has only five.

What a difference a year makes.

“It’s huge to lose all those experienced players,” Whitewater coach Amos McCeary said. “They played a lot of games. You just can’t beat game experience. We just don’t know how our kids this year will act as starters.

“This season’s group could be just as talented, maybe even more, but they need experience.”

One player who will need to grow up in a hurry and get acclimated to starting at the varsity level is quarterback David Byrd (6-0, 190). He is replacing four-year starter Jay Bright, who will be playing defensive back for the University of the Cumberlands this season.

“Any time you lose a competitor like Jay Bright, it’s hard,” McCreary said. “But David grew up in a football family all his life. Sometimes that will carry you a long way as far as how they understand the game. Jay might have thrown the ball better, but David runs the ball better.”

Fullback Collin Wooddy (6-1, 215) will play an integral role in Whitewater’s Wing-T offense. He must take pressure off Byrd and handle the bulk of the carries.

Wooddy is a perfect fit for Whitewater’s run-based scheme. He’s big, strong and a hard runner in between the tackles.

“Collin has the mentality to play at the next level,” McCreary said. “He’s a kid who is real quick off his first several steps. He’s tough and quick.”

Running backs Thomas Frierson (5-10, 190) and Austin Faulkner (5-7, 165) join Wooddy as starters in the backfield.

Frierson is quick and can run inside or outside; Faulkner is light, but he’s one of the fastest players on the team.

Chris Asbury (5-8, 175), Zack Mann (6-0, 185), a transfer from Salem, and Chris Wingate (5-9, 180) also will receive significant playing time at running back.

Whitewater’s starting wide receiver is Korey Ivey (5-6, 145). He’s small, but he has deceptive speed — he runs a 4.7 40-yard dash — and can snare just about any pass thrown his way.

Another option the Wildcats have in the passing game is tight end C.J. Williams (6-2, 195). He has the hands and speed to be a reliable receiving threat.

“C.J. is a player,” McCreary said. “He has the capability to be really good. He has an opportunity to play at the next level.”

The most experience Whitewater has on the offensive side of the ball is at guard, where both left guard Seth Wilkinson (5-10, 185) and right guard Kyle Bowman (6-0, 235) are returning starters.

“Seth and Kyle are pretty quick,” McCreary said. “They are get-after-it type kids.”

Wilkinson is a tenacious blocker and tough — he played half of last season on a sprained ankle. He uses his lack of height to gain leverage on bigger defensive tackles.

Bowman is the team’s heaviest and most mobile starting offensive lineman. He’s versatile, as well; he also is expected to make a considerable impact at defensive tackle.

Whitewater will start two inexperienced players at offensive tackle: left tackle Justin Forrester (5-11, 210) and right tackle Frank Eubanks (6-2, 205). Their development will be essential for the offense to flourish.

The Wildcats are slightly more experienced on defense, where three starters return: cornerback Asbury, outside linebacker Ryan Hildago (6-1, 205) and free safety Ian Parsons (5-11, 175).
The key to Whitewater’s 4-3 defense will be the play of its defensive linemen.

Defensive tackles J.C. Jennings (5-7, 220) and Bowman will make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks and running backs. Jennings is a short, squatty player who can penetrate, and Bowman is a powerful tackler who has an excellent closing burst.

“Jennings and Bowman are very quick,” McCreary said. “They’ll probably be as quick as anybody we’ll play against.”

Williams (6-2, 195) has one starting defensive end spot locked down. The other spot, however, is up in the air, with Thomas Richard (6-1, 200) and Michael Herget (6-1, 205) vying to start.
Williams, Richards and Herget all have three attributes in common: size, quickness and talent.

Ellic Jackson (5-10, 240) provides depth along the defensive line.

The unquestioned leader of Whitewater’s defense is strongside linebacker Ryan Hidalgo (6-1, 205). Nicknamed “Dog,” Hidalgo is versatile — he can play all three linebacker positions — and tough and can pursue from sideline to sideline.

“Hidalgo is a very good linebacker,” McCreary said. “He can do it all for us.”

Middle linebacker Davis Knowles (6-1, 207) and weakside linebacker Mann give the Wildcats size and playmaking ability at linebacker.

Wooddy and Forrester also will be in the mix at middle linebacker.

One of Whitewater’s top players on defense is cornerback Asbury. He is the team’s best defensive back in coverage and against the run.
Jack Grove (5-10, 170) starts at the other cornerback spot.

Ian Parsons (5-11, 175) and Kevin Fleming (5-10, 180) start at free and strong safety, respectively. Parsons moves over from cornerback, where he started last season, and Fleming is Mr. Versatility; in addition to playing safety, Fleming returns kickoffs and punts.

Fleming’s backup, Wingate will get on the field as a strong safety, as well.

An interesting storyline will be the play of Jennings as Whitewater’s kicker. He’s one of the biggest, if not the biggest, kickers in the state. He has a strong leg, but he has to work on his accuracy.

Woody is the team’s punter. He also possesses a strong leg and gets good hang time on his punts.

McCreary’s inexperienced team won’t catch many breaks in a wide-open, tough Region 2-AAAA.

“There is no telling who will come out of the region as the No. 1 team,” McCreary said. “Starr’s Mill lost a lot on offense, but return a lot on defense. Creekside and Westlake have a lot of talented kids. Fayette will be tough. Woodward should be good.

“Outside the region, we have to play the returning 4-AAAAA champs [Newnan] and another state playoff team, Sandy Creek. We play a very tough schedule.”

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