Published: August 20, 2008 07:05 am      

A different field

Boyd baseball seniors Wiler, Delaney dive into football

CANNONSBURG — Boyd County football coaches tried to coax Chase Wiler and Cody Delaney onto the field ever since they were freshmen.

The efforts proved unsuccessful — until now.

The two senior baseball players and best friends since the fifth grade decided it was better late than never to put on the pads.

“Before, both of us were hesitant about it,’’ Wiler said before practice Tuesday. “Our junior year we were watching a (Boyd County) football game and I remember feeling the chill bumps. That’s when we decided we would come out.’’

Delaney, who hasn’t played football since the eighth grade, is having a blast.

“It’s been really exciting, a lot more than I thought,’’ he said. “I didn’t know I would have as much fan as I already have.’’

Lions head coach Lee Evans knew he was getting two good athletes, but both have impressed him with how well they continue to learn and adjust on the football field.

“Both have great attitudes and have adapted well to everything thrown their way, Evans said. “We’ve been trying to get these kids to come out for three years. I think they decided it was their senior year and this is something they wanted to do.’’

Evans made no promises about their roles, but Wiler and Delaney took the opportunities and ran with them.

Thanks to steady progress through the summer and preseason workouts, both players are in line for significant playing time as the team’s Aug. 29 home opener against East Carter nears.

“These two are going to contribute and possibly start both ways,’’ Evans said. “They are as athletic as anybody we’ve got.’’

Both are defensive backs. Offensively, Wiler plays wide receiver while Delaney is a running back.

Given the caliber of Boyd County’s two preseason opponents, the newcomers and their teammates will be well tested by the time the season opens.

The Lions scrimmaged at Belfry last week and will go up against traditional West Virginia power Wayne this Friday in Cannonsburg.

“I read an article the other day about Wayne having 10 winning seasons in a row,’’ Wiler said. “I’m looking forward to it. If we do well against them, we should be able to do well against anybody around here.’’

Delaney has rebounded from a neck injury and shown he can deliver a hit. He forced a fumble against a larger Belfry ball carrier inside the Pirates’ 20-yard line.

“In a regular-season game, that could have been a game changer,’’ said Delaney, who also broke up a pass.

Evans said both players handled the test as well as could be expected.

“That was their first time lining up in a physical, live situation,’’ said the Lions coach. “I know Cody was so excited he was about to hyperventilate. He ran the ball the first play and got chilled, but came back to the huddle smiling.’’

Wiler, meanwhile, was happy to get his first catch out of the way on a short sideline pattern.

“I was nervous,’’ he said. “I watched the film (Monday). Seeing myself on film helps a lot to minimize mistakes.’’

Prior to this year, Wiler’s last football game came as an 11-year-old. He played quarterback on a Boyd County Panthers team that defeated Lawrence County at Morehead State University to cap an unbeaten JFL season.

“I still have the video,’’ Wiler said. “I watched it the other day with a friend. It’s fun to be playing football again. I didn’t want to graduate and say I should have tried it.’’

Wiler, an outfielder and pitcher for Boyd County’s district champion baseball team, hopes to help the Lions win a district title in football.

“I think we have a real good chance,’’ Wiler said. “The whole team is working pretty hard and it should pay off.’’

Delaney, an outfielder during the spring, enjoys playing cornerback and said running the ball gives him an adrenaline boost.

“Seeing how much fun football is, I wish I would have played all those years,’’ Delaney said. “Chase and I always talked about it.’’

Delaney is already looking forward to one game on the schedule.

“Greenup County beat us in baseball (regional semifinals) and beat us in football (district finals) last season,’’ he said. “Hopefully this will be our year.’’

Evans looks for continued improvement from Wiler and Delaney as they become more comfortable in Boyd County’s system.

“I don’t think either one is having doubts,’’ Evans said. “They seem to be having a good time and the rest of the kids love them.’

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.