Wilson

By John Buffone

jbuffone@gametimepa.com

2013 was supposed to be the year Wilson relinquished their stranglehold on the Section One crown.

The Bulldogs obviously didn’t get that message.

Wilson finished the regular season 10-0 and claimed their sixth straight section title while continuing their impressive 43-game section win streak.

“The players want to continue that tradition. They want to make it seven straight and continue the streak which is nice and almost surreal. Most of the pressure is self-induced though,” head coach Doug Dahms said.

Despite their ongoing success, the Bulldogs may have some doubters again in 2014 with the departure of quarterback Matt Timochenko, leading rusher Jon Raifsnider and their top for statistical receivers from 2013.

Senior Jake Templin is likely to take over the starting quarterback role in 2014 after filling in nicely last season. Templin completed 22-of-26 passes for 166 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions last season. With Timochenko out with an illness, Templin helped lead Wilson over Manheim Township in the first round of the District 3 playoffs; completing 10-of-15 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Wilson ultimately fell in the District 3 Class AAAA semifinals to Lower Dauphin.

“Last year was more of just stepping into and doing my job but this year I’ll have to take more shots and be more of a leader and do more than I did last year,” Templin said.

As for the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs are returning a good blend of younger players including junior linebacker Ike Schannauer who led the team with 116 total tackles last season.

Until they are literally dethroned, it’d be wise to not count out the Bulldogs in 2014.

“A successful season is winning the section, moving onto district play and going as deep into the playoffs as we possibly can,” Dahms said. “I don’t think anyone would say it’s a good year is we don’t win the section because those expectations are there.”