Kansas Pregame, Volume 9
Page 65
Lookin’ Sharp Levi Wyrick By MELANIE McGEE For Kansas Pregame
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More than six months later, a 30-22 loss in the first round of the state playoffs still bothers Levi Wyrick. It also provides plenty of motivation for Wyrick and his teammates as they prepare for the 2014 season. “We kinda sucked it up in the playoffs last year, so we want to make up for it this year,” the Caney Valley quarterback/ defensive end said. “We’ve been pretty good but we’ve got to keep working hard.” Bullpup coach Criss Davis expects Wyrick to lead that effort both on and off the field as Caney Valley looks to make a deeper playoff run in 2014. “He is one of the hardest working kids this summer, and he’s not about just himself,” Davis said. “He pushes his teammates to be the best they can be. He’s truly an amazing kid and the best thing you can say about him is he just wants to win and he does what it takes for his team to win.” In his first three years as a Bullpup, Wyrick has seen action at numerous positions depending on the team’s needs. “He’s very versatile in what he can do. It’s hard to find guys that are 6-4, 230 pounds and can run,” Davis said. “He started as a freshman at defensive tackle for me, and as a sophomore, I moved him to defensive end. Last year, I played him at defensive end, linebacker and safety.” The Bullpups have counted on Wyrick to make big plays no matter where he lines up on the field, though his efforts aren’t always rewarded with glossy stats. “He had a real good game defensively against Conway Springs last year,” Davis said. Wyrick made two tackles for loss in that September contest, plus completed six passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, then ran for 59 more yards. His versatility extends to offense, where Wyrick started his high school career as a running back, then moved to quarterback when Davis needed to replace his starter after the 2012 season.
Photo by Julie Kuhlmann JulieKuhlmannPhotography.com
Quarterback quickly became Wyrick’s favorite position. “I really enjoy the leadership aspect and having the ability to make plays at quarterback,” he said, adding that the Bullpup offense – known for running the ball most of the time – and therefore his assignment, varies with the game situation. “When we’re trying to grind out the clock, we run a lot of wishbone with me and one running back, but when we’re behind and trying to catch up, we’ll run a zone read where I read the d-end and decide whether to take it or give it,” he noted. He led Caney Valley with 111 yards and two rushing touchdowns, plus 70 yards through the air, in a 42-0 win over Neodesha last year, and ran for two touchdowns and 102 yards in the Bullpups’ 21-0 shutout of Girard to start the season. He threw for 125 yards and a score plus ran for 61 yards and two more touchdowns to help Caney Valley beat Burlington later in the year. Wyrick, a first-team All-League performer at both quarterback and defensive end earned several All-State honors as a defensive end in 2013, and he is regarded by some coaches as the best player in the Tri-Valley League. Caney Valley is considered one of the toughest teams in the league as well, and the Bullpups have been a perennial playoff team in recent years. They have gone as far as to the state semifinals during Wyrick’s career and Davis hopes the 2014 squad can also make a deep postseason run. “We hope to return to the playoffs and make a strong run this year,” Davis said. “That’s something we didn’t do last year.” Wyrick is one of nine starters returning to the Bullpup offense while six starters from that 8-2 team are back on defense. Davis has six senior starters in that group, and he expects Wyrick and his classmates to provide solid senior leadership. “The best thing he brings to the table is his leadership. He is a tremendous leader on and off the field,” Davis said of Wyrick. “He’s a good, Christian young man who sets a terrific example by his work ethic.” Midway through the summer, Wyrick was undecided on his college destination and major, though he said coaching might be in his future. “I really don’t know where I’m going to go to college. It depends on
LOOKIN’ SHARP - WYRICK / Continued on page 125
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