Wise set to anchor Beaver offense
As Beaver marched toward its annual WPIAL playoff berth last season, a new star emerged: Darius Wise.
Just a sophomore in 2014, Wise accumulated more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage — 726 rushing, 278 receiving — and 17 touchdowns. He also had three interceptions from his cornerback spot.
Wise returns looking to build on that performance, and he will do it from a number of positions, including quarterback. He has been getting most of the reps at QB during offseason workouts, giving way occasionally to Landon Pontoli, and he said he has been working on his arm so defenses will respect his throwing as well as his running.
But the junior is trying to be more than just a physical presence for his teammates. With the Bobcats having only eight seniors and moving freshmen up to the varsity for the first time in coach Jeff Beltz's long tenure, he's stepped into more of a leadership role.
“I'm trying to get more involved with my teammates, trying to pick up a bond with them and know them on a personal level, not just coming to practice and knowing them like that,” he said. “I want to be around and helping them with what they need to be doing on and off the field.”
“When you're going into your junior year, that's when things have to change,” Beltz said. “You expect more from all your players. … But when you have a unique athlete, yeah, obviously there are situations when you need him to perform higher than the others.”
While Wise will be the focal point, Beltz is hoping some other players will emerge to fill the void left by a number of key graduation losses.
Pontoli will be one, doubling as a slot receiver when Wise is in at quarterback. The line will be anchored by seniors Alex Neeley and Drew Easton. Senior Chase Mamone, at 6-foot-1, has the length to be an effective receiver.
Junior Te'Vierre Williams likely will get time at running back as well as be in Beltz's cornerback rotation.
Recent history showed the Bobcats' need to develop alternatives to Wise on offense. In last year's first-round playoff game with South Park, Beaver led going into the second half when Wise went down with an injury.
The Bobcats fell behind 21-20 and, despite driving the ball to the 1-yard line late in the game, couldn't get the score they needed.
The defense also will need to improve. A hallmark of Beltz's early Bobcats teams, the defense, he said, hasn't performed up to the same standards in recent years. Once again, the onus will be on young players to turn that around.
“Darius is just one aspect,” Beltz said. “We're going to be asking that whole group (of underclassmen) to do more.”
For his part, Wise isn't concerned. As the Bobcats worked out in preparation for the 2015 season, he could see promise in the group he'll be counted on to lead.
“I think they know that we're going to be a younger team, but I think we're more physical than we were last year,” he said. “Last year, we tended to take off plays, but this year we're really going to have to battle with teams. We have our heads on right. We're going to stay focused.”
