Wheeling Park Patriots: 2024 High School Football Preview

“We’re sick of going against each other, it’s just time. We’ve got some young faces they need to get out there on a Friday night and make mistakes and we’ll get it fixed but we’re really happy with where we are right now.”

Chris Daugherty – Wheeling Park Head Coach

And why wouldn’t Doc be happy if the Patriots do return a ton of talent–starting with their offensive line with senior, three-year starter Cam Bryan at right tackle, returning starter and senior Hunter Means at right guard, Senior Luke Miller returns at center and senior Kieran Moses returns at left guard.

Junior Liam Waldeck will get the start at left tackle but junior Kayden Fortney and freshman Jeremy Porter will also see time on the O-Line.

Senior Jameson Maynard returns at tight end he was second on the team in catches last year with 32 for 310 yards and two scores.

Sophomore Jay Bordas will take over at quarterback for the Patriots, he enjoyed an excellent season as a freshman as the starter for the JV team.

Junior Brennan Wack will slide into the tailback spot, a year ago as a receiver he had 19 catches for 256 yards and a pair of scores.

Receivers for the Patriots include juniors Colin Wiley, Owen Dobrzynski-Hines, Cash Campbell and sophomore Nate Hodge.

“Up front though, that’s where it happens, that’s where football is really made and we are returning four of these guys and we’ve got one newcomer to the line and Jameson Maynard I think is one of the best tight ends in the state and the OVAC and he’s returning. We feel good where we are but we got to go out and work the kinks out and fix some things, but every day we look a little bit better on that side of the ball.”

Chris Daugherty – Wheeling Park Head Coach

Doc really likes his defense which returns several key players including Jameson Maynard at an inside linebacker, he led the Patriots with 87 tackles last season.

Senior Trey Kocher joins him at linebacker where he added 50 tackles last year and led the team in TFL’s with 5.5.

Up front, they return senior Jayden Woods – Davis at tackle along with Means and Bryan.
Colden Burkhart who had 42 tackles last season moves from the line to outside backer along with senior Noah Short.

Juniors Jed Hunley and Isaac Sands return at safety. The corners are the question mark.

“You’re right, we’re looking for corners were probably using four different guys at that position right now probably all four will play at some level. We feel really good at linebacker we’ve got two inside guys returning got our outside guys returning we’ve got some d-line guys and two safeties behind that that played a lot of football as sophomores they’ll be juniors so were definitely a head of the game defensively and we just hope to continue that.”

Chris Daugherty – Wheeling Park Head Coach

They need that defense early as they face a very tough schedule out the blocks with three of their first four on the road, starting Friday at Parkersburg South.

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