John Raffel
Sports Scene
Plenty will be expected and needed from Ithaca’s senior offensive lineman and linebacker Greg Woodcock (5-10, 235) this season.
But Woodcock is confident that he’s ready to deliver.
He’s one of the key returning starters for the Ithaca Yellowjackets who are defending Division 6 state champions and have won five state crowns in the last six years.
It’s his third varsity season — linebacker has been his main position, but he also starts at offensive line.
Woodcock made his debut for the 2014 Yellowjackets who were one win shy of their fifth straight state title and 14-0 season, falling 22-12 to Monroe St. Mary Catholic in the title game.
But the experience as a sophomore for Woodcock prepared him for major challenges as a junior when Ithaca would go 14-0 for another state crown.
“As a sophomore on the varsity, that was a little nerve racking for me,” Woodcock said. “I thought we played well, but just fell a little short in the state championship game. We overcome a lot of adversity that year. It was heartbreaking to lose. At the same time, it was a lot of relief because of the streak.”
As a player last season, “I improved a lot. Pretty much the whole team was there my sophomore year to help me when I needed it,” Woodcock said. “I improved quite a bit (last year). If I was there for the initial hit there would be about four or five other guys that would help us bring him down. But wrapping up would be what I probably improved on most.”
Woodcock was first-team all-conference TVC honors and earned other honors from area newspapers.
When the season ended at Ford Field, Woodcock was like hundreds of Ithaca players before him, preparing for the 2016 campaign with plenty of offseason conditioning.
The Yellowjackets would love to see Woodcock have his best year. But he’s anticipating plenty of support from talented teammates.
“We lost a lot of seniors, so we have to find people ready to step up and take over their spots,” Woodcock said. “But this year, I think we’ll have the fastest defense in a long time. I think we’re fast all-around the board. We’ll do some special things and I think we’ll be really good this year. I think this is the hungriest in the last two years anyone has been. We’re ready to do some different things.”
Woodcock returns to his same positions and sees his role for Ithaca as being similar to last year.
“I need to step up a little more,” he said. “I’m a leader this year. We don’t have the guys we had last year to do it for us. We have to step up and make our own history and legacy this year.”
Despite the graduation of several players, many are back with playing experience.
“It will be interesting to see what we can do with those guys this year,” Woodcock said. “It’s going to be a great season. We’re going to go out on top. I wouldn’t want it any other way for my senior year.”
Woodcock will also be used as an offensive guard.
“My strength is when I get to pull and lead the running back through the hole,” he said. “It’s like I’m the running back without the ball and get to hit people.”
He’s focusing on his senior football season, obviously, but Woodcock is also looking forward to college.
“This summer was kind of crazy,” he said. “I went through a lot of camps others do during their senior season. I went to Mount Hope and went to their one-day prospect camp. They said to keep up the good work and they would talk to me after the season. Adrian (College) has talked to me. They invited me for a game-day visit. Other than those two, it’s been kind of quiet for now.”
It won’t be an easy regular-season schedule, Woodcock agrees.
“Nothing for us will change,” Woodcock said. “We have to prepare mentally and physically for them. We also have a target on their back. When we put that jersey on with Jackets across it, everyone will give us their best shot.”