Porta Bluejays Pigskin Preview

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW TEAM CAPSULE

PORTA Bluejays

COACH:  Rich McMahan (71-67, 15th season at PORTA)

2014 RECORD:  1-8 (0-8 Sangamo)

POSTSEASON:  No Playoffs 

TOP RETURNEES:  RB/DB Kobe Wheaton (520 yds rushing, 8 TD’s), QB Sam Wenda (5’11”, 175), WR Trevor Watson (6’, 165), RB Devin Lasanska (5’10”, 185)

BIG LOSSES:  Hayden Eddings (51 tackles in 2014), Mark Thomas

WHAT THE BLUEJAYS DO WELL:  “I’m excited about our skill kids," McMahan says.  “That’s our biggest asset.  As a group, this is the best we’ve had in awhile."  A winless Sangamo slate last year hurt the overall record, but it did pay off in terms of getting those players at the skill positions some much needed experience.  “We had sophomores and juniors at those positions last year, so now most of them have a year under their belts."  

PORTA QUESTION MARKS:  The offensive line is gone.  Graduated.  That means the youth movement moves on to trenches in 2015.  “We graduated everybody up front," McMahan states.  “We’ve got some new kids that are good, but there’s not much experience there and they’re not real big."  That lack of size on the line means the Bluejays will do some things differently on offense.  “It’s going to change our philosophy.  We’ll throw the ball more than we ever have.  We’re usually a between the tackles type of team, but we’re going to have to run it to the edge and sling it a bit." 

WORTH NOTING:  Junior quarterback Sam Wenda has been a bright spot this offseason after throwing just 5 TD’s compared to 14 interceptions last season.  “He’s grown up," McMahan proclaims.  “A year has really made a difference for him.  He’s a captain, he’s worked hard.  You can really see his arm strength has improved.  He’s gone from a sophomore quarterback playing varsity to just a varsity quarterback since last fall."  Most of the Bluejays starters are penciled in as juniors and seniors, but coach raves about his sophomore group after they went 5-2 as freshmen.  “A couple of those kids could force their way into positions."

COACH MCMAHAN SAYS:  “I told the kids that we want to compete every week.  We’re not going to worry about the scoreboard until the game’s over.  We’re not concerned with wins and losses.  Just compete."