Despite Losses, Wheaton’s Football Team Hoping to Compete

Regardless of the situation last year, football coach Joe Ortega knew if he put the ball in the hands of senior running back Rayshawn Taylor, something good was most likely going to happen.

Taylor proved to be "Mr. Everything" for the Knights’ offense last season, leading the team in rushing, contributing as a quarterback and even catching passes as a wide receiver. He was also a standout safety for Wheaton’s defense.

With Taylor now gone, however, as well as most of last year’s team, Ortega enters this season hoping this year’s Knights can somehow find a way to collectively pick up the slack. 

While Wheaton lost its opening game—28-8 to non-conference opponent Northwestern on Sept. 2—the team is looking to turn it around this , which also lost its first game of the 2011 season 24-6 to Seneca Valley.

Wheaton returns just three of its 22 starters from last season’s team that finished 4-6, but coach Ortega remains optimistic.

“We lost a lot of people, including Rayshawn,” said Ortega, in his third season as the Knights’ head coach. “We’re also very small this year. But these guys can play, and I think we can compete with anybody.”

Offensively, Ortega will be depending largely on the trio of Ayinde Warren, David Salas and Aaron Ferguson at running back to help offset the loss of Taylor, who finished last year with 1,927 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

Ortega says Warren provides the offense with decent speed and someone that can break long runs; while Salas, a former tight end, is more of a power back who will see the majority of the Knights’ inside carries. Ortega also envisions Salas throwing the ball some this year, saying “he has a pretty good arm.” Offensive lineman Haileb Gebrekiden and fullback Julius Jackson will also play key roles for Wheaton’s offensive attack.

Last season, operating out of their single-wing offense, the Knights averaged nearly 30 points per game during the final eight games of the season. But, whereas last year’s team was built around creating consistent big plays, Ortega sees this season’s team being more focused on being efficient and controlling time of possession.

“We don’t have a guy with Rayshawn’s speed this year,” Ortega said.

“So, last year, we were focused on creating a lot of big plays. This year, though, we’re going to be focusing more on controlling the ball. That’s what our offense is built to do.”

Salas also expects the offense to have a different look this year, but is hopeful it can maintain a similar level of success.

“Rayshawn obviously was the majority of the offense last year,” Salas said. “This year, though, we’re going to share the ball a lot more. We have lots of guys that can do lots of damage. And, even without Rayshawn, I still we can still be an explosive offense.”

Defensively, meanwhile, Wheaton hopes to be able to offset its lack of size with hustle and aggressive pursuit to the ball. Ortega has been emphasizing both throughout preseason practice.

Jackson, who doubles as a defensive end, will spearhead the Knights’ defense. He posted five sacks as a sophomore in 2009 and led the team with 100 tackles last season. Ortega describes him as Wheaton’s “most gifted athlete.”

“We’re small on defense, but we’re very scrappy,” Ortega said. “We may have a hard time stopping people because we’re so small, but we’ve been focusing a lot of attention there, and hopefully that helps offset that lack of size.”

Regardless, Ortega is extremely optimistic for the Knights’ future. Not only does he expect his varsity team to consistently progress throughout the season, but he is also very excited about the potential of Wheaton’s junior varsity team as well.

“We’re very optimistic and enthusiastic,” Ortega said. “Things look really good for us for the future.”

The Knights will try to even their record to 1-1 when they host the Einstein Titans on