Warriors Hope Line Comes Together
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
"We realize where the inexperience is," Wogomon said of his offensive line this season. "That's our focus. We have a whole new offensive line and will probably start some sophomores and juniors."
In the bright side, Wogomon had the same problem last year, but all of those linemen were seniors.
"We're starting juniors and sophomores, but that means they'll be back," he said. "They're starters we'll have back next year, which sets things in motion."
Looking to learn the offensive line position quickly this year at tackle will be senior Ryan Main, junior Jameson Gee and sophomores Dan Hensley and Jake Jones. The guard position will be taken on by juniors Nick Hughes, Seth Long and sophomore Nathan Schwartz. Senior Chad Emery appears to be the Warriors starting center.
The faster that line jells, the faster quarterback Jake Sommers can enjoy himself.
Entering last season at No. 3 on the depth chart, Sommers became the starter to begin the season due to injuries. In his first year at the position, he led the Warriors to a 2-8 season.
"He's been having a great offseason," Wogomon said of Sommers. "He's really worked hard to be a better quarterback."
A benefit to Sommers in 2007 was running back, and team MVP, Eric Brown, who's now attending Indiana Wesleyan on a track scholarship.
"He'll be sorely missed," Wogomon said of last season's leading rusher. "He was a quality individual."
In the backfield this year is returning letterwinner Tom Schwartz.
"He's a three-year starter and played defense, so he was always in the mix somewhere," Wogomon said of the senior.
Joining Schwartz will be juniors Joey Melendez, Steve Phillips, Travis Patterson and sophomore Trevor McKibben.
Sommers targets on the outside are sophomore Josh Dingeldein at tight end, while seniors Dylan Ringler, Logan Davidson, Jesse McBride and junior Ryan Hoover handle wide receiver duties.
On the defensive side of the ball, Wawasee will once again implement its 4-3 defense, with Long, Phillips, Dingeldein and Emery sharing time at defense end, while Gee, sophomore Austin Vuittonet, Jones and Main play defensive tackle.
"The defense always looks a little better in camp," Wogomon said about the strength of his squad.
"We've had little chunks of improvement everyday," he added. "We're a team committed to getting better at the end of each practice."
At linebacker, Tom Schwartz, Melendez, Hensley, Swain, McBride and Jeff Deleon will be vying for spots.
In the secondary, Davidson, McKibben and senior Clark Farrell will play safety, with Sommers, Elliott, Ringler and sophomores Cameron Erb and Tom Kehoe at defensive backs.
The Warriors return seven letterwinners this year, and 11 seniors, but Wogomon and his staff are trying to weather a couple years of low roster numbers.
"To say we're young is kind of an understatement," he said. "However, I couldn't be more pleased with what these seniors have done. I can count on one hand the number of workouts they missed this summer, combined. They've embraced the situation. They're small in numbers, but they've been a great group to work with."
A 1-6 season in the Northern Lakes Conference in 2007 wasn't what the Warriors had hoped for, but Wogomon is aware that with a lot of inexperience this year, the road could be tough again in 2008.
"It's a humbling situation to play in the NLC with inexperience at the line position," Wogomon said.
Wawasee opens its season Aug. 22 at home at the Whitko Wildcats.[[In-content Ad]]
"We realize where the inexperience is," Wogomon said of his offensive line this season. "That's our focus. We have a whole new offensive line and will probably start some sophomores and juniors."
In the bright side, Wogomon had the same problem last year, but all of those linemen were seniors.
"We're starting juniors and sophomores, but that means they'll be back," he said. "They're starters we'll have back next year, which sets things in motion."
Looking to learn the offensive line position quickly this year at tackle will be senior Ryan Main, junior Jameson Gee and sophomores Dan Hensley and Jake Jones. The guard position will be taken on by juniors Nick Hughes, Seth Long and sophomore Nathan Schwartz. Senior Chad Emery appears to be the Warriors starting center.
The faster that line jells, the faster quarterback Jake Sommers can enjoy himself.
Entering last season at No. 3 on the depth chart, Sommers became the starter to begin the season due to injuries. In his first year at the position, he led the Warriors to a 2-8 season.
"He's been having a great offseason," Wogomon said of Sommers. "He's really worked hard to be a better quarterback."
A benefit to Sommers in 2007 was running back, and team MVP, Eric Brown, who's now attending Indiana Wesleyan on a track scholarship.
"He'll be sorely missed," Wogomon said of last season's leading rusher. "He was a quality individual."
In the backfield this year is returning letterwinner Tom Schwartz.
"He's a three-year starter and played defense, so he was always in the mix somewhere," Wogomon said of the senior.
Joining Schwartz will be juniors Joey Melendez, Steve Phillips, Travis Patterson and sophomore Trevor McKibben.
Sommers targets on the outside are sophomore Josh Dingeldein at tight end, while seniors Dylan Ringler, Logan Davidson, Jesse McBride and junior Ryan Hoover handle wide receiver duties.
On the defensive side of the ball, Wawasee will once again implement its 4-3 defense, with Long, Phillips, Dingeldein and Emery sharing time at defense end, while Gee, sophomore Austin Vuittonet, Jones and Main play defensive tackle.
"The defense always looks a little better in camp," Wogomon said about the strength of his squad.
"We've had little chunks of improvement everyday," he added. "We're a team committed to getting better at the end of each practice."
At linebacker, Tom Schwartz, Melendez, Hensley, Swain, McBride and Jeff Deleon will be vying for spots.
In the secondary, Davidson, McKibben and senior Clark Farrell will play safety, with Sommers, Elliott, Ringler and sophomores Cameron Erb and Tom Kehoe at defensive backs.
The Warriors return seven letterwinners this year, and 11 seniors, but Wogomon and his staff are trying to weather a couple years of low roster numbers.
"To say we're young is kind of an understatement," he said. "However, I couldn't be more pleased with what these seniors have done. I can count on one hand the number of workouts they missed this summer, combined. They've embraced the situation. They're small in numbers, but they've been a great group to work with."
A 1-6 season in the Northern Lakes Conference in 2007 wasn't what the Warriors had hoped for, but Wogomon is aware that with a lot of inexperience this year, the road could be tough again in 2008.
"It's a humbling situation to play in the NLC with inexperience at the line position," Wogomon said.
Wawasee opens its season Aug. 22 at home at the Whitko Wildcats.[[In-content Ad]]
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