Wheeler senior Jayden Ortiz has figured out this whole running back thing.
Ortiz said he played the position for the first time last season. Even then, the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder opened at wide receiver before shifting to the backfield in the middle of the first game.
“I was just ready,” Ortiz said. “You always stay ready. I got an opportunity, and I haven’t looked back since.”
That includes the Bearcats’ Greater South Shore Conference South Division game against visiting West Side on Friday. Ortiz ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in Wheeler’s 41-0 win.
He added two catches for 32 yards, having entered the game with three for 18 yards in the first five games of the season. He had logged 485 yards and nine TDs on the ground before the Bearcats (4-2, 1-0) played the Cougars (4-2, 1-1).
In windy conditions, Wheeler senior quarterback Caleb Klimczak threw for 166 yards and two TDs, one each to senior wide receiver Bryce Compton and junior wide receiver Tyne Vettickal. Compton caught five passes for 96 yards, including a 42-yard TD, and Vettickal added an 18-yard TD run to his 16-yard TD catch.
Ortiz ran for 1,185 yards and 12 TDs last season, having played linebacker in his first two seasons in the program. But he was quick to point out he barely played as a sophomore before his breakout junior season, having suffered a left shoulder injury after two weeks, missing seven weeks and then suffering a right shoulder injury in his first game back.
Ortiz’s comfort level has increased in his second season at running back, part of a collective effort.
“Everyone’s learning the system better,” he said. “Everyone’s executing properly.
“I always hope to have a big game. I like to have confidence going into games. When the O-line does what they do, I don’t have to worry about having a bad game. I just make sure to run hard. My O-line did most of the work.”
Nick Testa, in his second season as Wheeler’s coach, praised Ortiz — with one caveat.
“Jayden did a great job except for fumbling a couple of times, which we’re going to talk about,” Testa said. “But other than that, he runs hard, he breaks tackles. He’s a leader for us.”
Klimczak also highlighted Ortiz’s running style.
“He runs hard,” Klimczak said. “He always finds a way to make plays. Even if a block is missed, he always tries to make something happen.”
Senior quarterback Guiseppe Moore ran for 81 yards and threw for 71 yards for the Cougars, who couldn’t solve Wheeler’s defense.
“The defense was flying around,” Testa said. “Mitch Krolikowski, Dylan Knezevich, Braden Olson stacked up the inside. This was about the defense.
“Jayden had a big game. Caleb made some throws. We got the ball to Bryce and Tyne. All of our guys touched the ball, and they do what they do. We get them the ball and let them be the playmakers they are. But this was about the defense and the offensive line.”
The Bearcats have won four straight games after losing their first two.
“Coaches are routine-based, and homecoming throws all of that off,” Testa said. “I’m just happy the game’s over, and I’m glad we got the win, and now they can enjoy homecoming.”
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