Wheeling's in hot pursuit of winning edge

Wheeling's football team has been on the edge of success over the past few years, since Brent Pearlman has taken over as head coach.

Pearlman is hoping that this season is the time that the Wildcats make the turn and qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

"It is hard to say where we fit in," Pearlman said. "We have a lot of kids coming back. And we have some kids who have not played their whole career. I think we are a huge question mark. I like our personnel, but we have some good experience - and we have zero experience."

Wheeling will have a pair of skill players in the backfield that will give teams fits defensively because of their speed and strength.

"It really will be the strength of our team," Pearlman said. "We have two strong running backs."

Josh Diaz, who stepped in when Isaac Branch was injured early in the season and then shared the role at running back when Branch returned, will be back this year. Diaz, who gained over 300 yards last year while taking most of the carries, should garner nearly all of the load for the Wildcats.

"He is a good running back," Pearlman said. "He started the season off strong last year and when Isaac came back, they split the carries. I expect him to be even better this year."

Jalen Dennis, who is a junior this year and was on the varsity last year, takes over from brother Amani, who rushed for over 600 yards last year and threw for over 1,000 at quarterback.

"They are the same type of kid," Pearlman said. "Jalen might be a little bigger. But I think at quarterback our lack of experience may show early in the season. There may be a drop off in talent, but not much."

Pearlman said his offensive line will be strong as well, but is cautious because of their lack of experience.

"There are not a lot of guys coming back there," Pearlman said. "It is one or two guys that started a few games."

Dennis will have a large group of receivers to chose from including Johnny Kappel, Dylan Draka, Charlie Zettek, Jason Shannon and T. J Best.

Blocking up front will be Roberto Torres, Joey Sineni, Kyle Hall, Yony Medina and Wulfgang Rankenburg.

The Wildcats' defense will be a standard 4-3 and will have Peter Allen Scheutz, Kole Longsworth, Eddie Hernandez and Blake Greenberg on the line. Draka, Andrew Lara, Kappel and Carlos Montiel will be working at linebacker while Zettek, Solomon Kong, Mau Gurnee, Best and Jason Shannon will comprise the secondary.

Pearlman said that he feels Wheeling, which won 3 games last year, is still working to succeed as a football team.

"The difference-maker is that there is a mentality that it takes to succeed on a weekly basis," Pearlman said. "And we have yet to get that mentality to do all the small things it takes to win.

"I really think that is difference between us and winning right now. If we get that, we will probably start winning. I really think that is the main point for us."

Wheeling opens its season at Glenbrook North. Pearlman, whose team then plays Conant, Barrington and Palatine before moving into MSL East play, feels his team can compete in the conference.

"I think the East is up for grabs," Pearlman said. "I don't think it is a situation where one team is strong and dominant. Maybe somebody will emerge that way. We are hoping we can be that team."