By Joanna Chadwick
When Cheney opened the season against Holcomb, coach Shelby Wehrman wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I knew what we were capable of. We had some good practices,” he said. “But we’ve been struggling to piece together consecutive good practices and good performances. We’re looking to build on good practices and good games at this point.
Cheney took a tough 15-13 loss to Holcomb in the opener but rebounded with a 38-0 win over Kingman.
Friday, Cheney plays Garden Plain (2-0).
Cheney’s got new players in key positions, but Wehrman has been able to rely on three key guys — Reece Tolar, Deitric McDaniel and Nolan Durr.
“Reece, he’s pushing himself every day,” Wehrman said. “I can tell he’s really trying to get better.”
Tolar started at linebacker in 2024 and was the backup quarterback. When it came time for him to lead the offense this year, he didn’t want to give up the position he plans to play in college.
“This is the first time I’ve had a quarterback at Cheney starting both ways, and he’s getting after it. It’s some growing pains, but he’s working on it.”
Durr, a defensive lineman, put in the time in the offseason with his training and is stronger.
“He studies the game pretty well, and he wants to make an impact,” Wehrman said. “… Last year I got on him a few times about his motor and going hard all the time. This year it’s evident that he’s going hard all the time.”
McDaniel, a defensive back, battled injuries in 20024, and while he’s a quiet leader who Wehrman wants to be more vocal, he makes a difference on the field.
“He’s a kid who understands how the whole thing works together — how the offense works, how the defense works,” Wehrman said. “But he knows what’s going on and he can help everyone else out.”
With the success that Cheney has had in recent seasons, Wehrman knew his role was clear.
“It was me just helping them accomplish their goals,” he said. “This year it’s more of a driver to get them to be a student of the game…. We don’t have as many players who just love and study the game as we have in the past.
“We have a lot of guys putting a lot of effort in, but there’s some I’d like to be thinking about the game when we’re not at practice.”
