John Raffel
Sports Scene
Tyler Wilcox, a senior defensive end, has been leading a Morley Stanwood defense that has made the Mohawks among the most dominant high school football teams in recent years.
This is his second varsity season. “I think I’ve improved quite a bit,” Wilcox said. “You’re a lot more experienced, and being in your second year helps you out. You know what to expect.”
Wilcox takes pride in his ability to read the opposing offense.
“I’ve been able to get to the ball,” he said.
Wilcox played on last year’s 11-1 Mohawk squad that lost in overtime to Menominee in the third round of the state playoffs.
“If we play to our potential like we should, we’re capable of a lot of things,” he said. “If we play like a team and keep our composure, we’re unstoppable for the most part.”
Wilcox and the Mohawks have had so much success in recent years, including a 7-1 start this season, that they don’t want to see it end.
“It’s been a blast,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun. It helps out when you have a winning program.”
Wilcox noted that some observers weren’t quite sure how strong the Mohawk defense would be this season.
“A lot of people didn’t think we’d have a solid defense this year,” he said. “We’ve stepped up a lot and it really helps.”
He also starts at left guard on offense, and he likes playing both ways.
“It’s kind of hard to pick a favorite,” he said.