Wahawk Athletics

By NICK PETAROS, Courier Sports Writer

WATERLOO --- Pass by pass, Waterloo West's new offensive scheme has become a formidable challenge for opposing defenses this season.
    But while the aerial assault has garnered plenty of attention, running back Collin Styron may be the team's silent assassin --- in more ways than one.
    "Collin is about as quiet of a guy as you're ever going to meet in the world," Waterloo West head coach Stan Wienke said.
    "He's just athletically very smart. He learned all the wide receiver stuff, and I'd put him at wide receiver in a heartbeat. Then he came back and learned the running back stuff. He's just very knowledgeable and athletically minded."
    Styron --- who rushed for 432 yards on 102 carries a year ago --- was set to begin this season at wideout before running back Mike Meyerhoff sprained his ankle. The first eight days of practice Wienke tried multiple players at the position, and Styron became the go-to guy.
    "Wherever coach wanted me, that's where I'd go to help out the team," Styron said. "I think we've got a lot of threats. Everyone on our offense is a potential threat for other teams, so they really can't stop all of us. If one person does well, the next week someone else will do well."
    Through two games, Styron has rushed for 252 yards on 33 carries with six touchdowns --- including four in the Wahawk's 43-30 win over Iowa City West last Friday.
    "I thought he was outstanding," Wienke said. "It's pretty obvious who the running back is since we've only got one, and to get 151 yards and four touchdowns, he just played really well."
    Two of Styron's four touchdowns came in the red zone from West's goal-line offense. From the spread set, he added scoring runs of 15 and 25 yards.
    Styron has been equally valuable for the Wahawks' passing attack, where his blocking hasn't gone unnoticed by Wienke.
    "Everybody sees his runs, but nobody would know how many great blocks Collin had in the backfield," the West coach said. "That's probably where he's more important. He's going to get better and better as a running back."
    Defensively, Styron saw significant time at linebacker Friday after playing less than a handful of possessions the previous week.
    Facing an Iowa City West attack with four to five spread receivers, Wienke had no reservations using his running back in pass coverage.
    "He's quick, he's aggressive, and he can run people down," he said. "He's just an athlete, and he's got some smarts about what's happening in the game."
    With West off to an impressive 2-0 start, Styron is just one of several valuable playmakers.
    Sophomore quarterback Jud Wienke has already accumulated 444 yards in two games with receiver Ryan Edwards garnering 197 yards on 18 receptions.
    Even with such success, Styron realizes there's plenty of work to be done for the Wahawks to complete a breakthrough season.
    "We haven't been perfect, but we've run the plays pretty well," Styron said. "We're still going at it and trying to get better every week."

Contact Nick Petaros at (319) 291-1428 or nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com