Wharton Wildcats Summer Preview: Offensive Line

With all of the anticipated success for the football team's offense this year and all the success at 7 on 7s, if the guys up front can’t hold up to the pressure, the Wildcats have no chance this year.

However, if that group can coalesce and provide passing lanes for Chase Litton and running lanes for Darius Page, they might even be able to challenge Plant High School for the district title in 2011.

Realistically, both Plant and Wharton could beat Alonso and Bloomingdale, leaving their Oct. 7 matchup the deciding game, despite what their records are. Alonso snuck into the playoffs last year at 4-7 by virtue of a 2-1 district record. Point being, Wharton not only has a very good shot at the playoffs this year, if it can sneak a win from Plant, it could win the district.

That’s what they have their eyes on.

“Winning the district is our goal; it’s what we play for,” head coach David Mitchell said. With skill players on offense like Nyere Thompson, Jaylen Dinard and Page starting to emerge, what remains is a formidable group in front of them to lead the way.

The Wildcats return three of their five starting linemen from last year. At center is junior Gabe Nold, whose brother Blake Nold came through the Wildcat program a few years ago.

Nolds is in his third year of varsity football, second as a starter. He’s also one of the biggest kids on the team, and his experience brings a bit of stability to the position.

Next to Nolds at right guard is junior Jacob Meier, a team captain. Meier is a leader in every sense of the word. When he’s not busy guiding the offensive line in pass protection or line calls, he’s playing "mike" linebacker, calling in the plays of the defense.

“We could use him at defensive end, move him up and play tackle,” said defensive coordinator Mark Kantor.

Meier is the brain of the team.

“All the line calls, everything gets directed through him; the quarterback might ask him what’s going on,” Kantor said.

Meier also provides much of the team's muscle.

“I like playing offensive line because you get to hit somebody every play,” Meier said. “I always liked hitting people.”

Senior Forrest Lefler also returns to the Wildcat front line at right tackle after helping the team rush for more than 1,500 yards last season.

Left guard Aaron Danzy played on JV his sophomore year, and as a junior finds himself starting at guard. At right tackle, Chris Jones, who moved up to varsity last year as a junior, will more than likely start his senior year at left tackle.