WHEELER FOOTBALL: Bearcats depending on veteran offensive line

WHEELER | The sting is still there, fresh in the minds of every player and coach who experienced it.

Wheeler was riding high on the wave of a dream season heading into the first game of the postseason last year. The Bearcats were 9-0 and favored to beat North Judson in the sectional opener.

But, as that first game ended, so did the dream season. The Bluejays, not the Bearcats, walked off the field winners with a 31-28 upset under their belts.

Offensive lineman Alex Vives, now a senior, recalled the shock he felt after that loss.

"That was horrible," he said. "We felt like we left it all on the field and still didn't win. But we'll be ready this year."

Coach Dan Klimczak said he will be relying on Vives and the rest of the offensive line to make sure the Bearcats are prepared as they head into the 2009 season.

Many of last year's skill players were lost to graduation, including all-state running back Clay Duarte, who rushed for more than 1,400 yards and scored 30 touchdowns.

But the offensive line remains intact, consisting completely of seniors.

Klimczak said the experience of those five would be invaluable to underclassmen who will be counted on to contribute to the offense.

"They're paving the way for some young skill players," Klimczak said. "(The offensive linemen) have been there before and it's their job to make sure they lead the way for players to get where they want to be."

The veterans of the offensive line include left tackle Dan Wall, left guard Chris Rieck, center Tyler Izsak, right guard Colin Gallagher and Vives at right tackle.

Another senior, linebacker Tyler Stevenson, has temporarily stepped in for Wall, who is nursing a broken hand and is expected to miss at least the first game or two.

"He's really done a nice job," Klimczak said of Stevenson. "The kid's got a heart of a lion and just knows how to compete."

And Gallagher said he is ready to get back on the field to prove that his unit has the heart to lead the Bearcats on a deep postseason run.

"We've been looking pretty sharp," he said. "I just can't wait until season starts."