JOHNSTOWN — After missing part of his youth soccer season due to injury, Peyton Wheeler will happily play as much as he can handle this fall.
The Northridge senior recognizes that pulling double duty is a challenge, but he worked through the offseason to take advantage of this opportunity. Wheeler, already a standout inside linebacker for the Vikings, is now the offense’s starting running back.
“It’s definitely a bit of a change to play both ways, I’d say. It’s a lot more tiring, but pretty much everyone plays both ways,” Wheeler said. “We’re in great shape, and we’re always going and ready to go. Our summer weight room set us up and set us up. A lot of guys got a lot stronger.”
Wheeler is not being asked to duplicate the production of All-Ohioan graduate JD Miller. Instead, he has been a complement to veteran Lane Hess in Northridge’s quarterback-centric system.
Hess, playing with a heavy heart on the Friday after the death of his father James Hess, a dedicated Northridge supporter, has emerged as one of Licking County’s top dual threats with the Vikings (0-3) adding a major pass element. Wheeler added 32 yards on 11 carries in last Friday’s 20-13 loss to Grandview Heights and caught his fifth pass of the season from the backfield.
Where Wheeler continues to excel is at the heart of the Northridge defense. He made four tackles against the Bobcats after totaling 14 1/2 in the first two weeks, and classmate Brody Booher, right next to him, made 17 1/2 in three games.
Wheeler, generously listed at 6-foot-1, 193 pounds, and Booher, 5-11, 167, aren’t towering figures, but trainer Tod King immediately learned they have stability rocks in the middle of the defensive end of the ball.
“It’s about technique, being in the right place at the right time,” King said. “They’ve been able to adapt. Being older, they’ve already seen a lot of football in front of them. They’ve been able to find the holes and go and create some tremendous plays for us.”
Northridge is knocking on the door for a big win, and the Vikings almost kicked the door down against Grandview. Hess’s 47-yard touchdown pass to senior James Kalas gave the Vikings a 13-12 lead that held until the Bobcats’ touchdown with 57 seconds remaining.
Northridge’s defense has graduated a portion of its secondary, but young players have taken on key roles. Juniors Josh Chestnut and Drew Bingham and sophomore Dylan Chambers were the Vikings’ top three tacklers.
“Brody and I have been playing linebacker since freshman year and starting practically since sophomore year,” Wheeler said. “As seniors, we’re trying to include freshmen, show them what we know, show them what we’ve learned for four years.”
Northridge will face its toughest test yet on Friday when Watkins Memorial (2-1) visits, and a trip to Granville follows in Week 5. The Vikings’ depth will be tested against two much bigger schools, but they’ve been preparing for these challenges since King received the job last spring.
“I’m looking forward to it,” King said. “I like the challenge, and that’s the way I approach it to the team. We’re welcome, anyone, anytime, anywhere. It’s in our county, backyard rivalries at their best. We’re excited to compete and have at that.”
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