Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
Sure, the quarterbacks at Ithaca are rightfully heaped with praise for helping turn the program into a powerhouse since 2010.
But without an outstanding stable of wide receivers year in and year out, even the most talented of quarterbacks would struggle to guide the way to eight straight undefeated regular seasons and five state championships.
The current crop of Yellowjackets wideouts – seniors Seth Davis, Devin Barnes, Adam Culp, Trey Chapin and Colton Campbell – have certainly made life a little easier for fellow senior quarterback Joey Bentley the last couple years.
“Barnes, Davis and Chapin are all similar size and have similar speed,” Hessbrook said. “They can all go and get it and make things happen in space. Then you have Culp, who is a 6-foot-4 receiver that is really a mismatch for defensive backs when we can get him singled to a side. He’s really stepped in and played well at receiver for us this year after not catching a lot of passes last season.”
The number of receptions for any of the Ithaca wide receivers might not look overly impressive, but that is mostly due to all the blowouts limiting the amount of passes thrown in any game as well as the depth at the position.
But when you turn your attention to the yards per catch and TD rate per reception for any of the wide receivers, it gets a lot juicier.
Davis leads the bunch with 22 catches for 423 yards and three touchdowns through the first eight games, while Culp has 16 catches for 269 yards and three scores. Barnes has accounted for 15 receptions 378 yards and four TDs. Chapin has 11 catches for 117 yards.
Additionally, Davis and Chapin each have a rushing touchdown and are explosive when the ball is put in their hands in any fashion.
“Put the ball in their hands and they’ll make something happen,” Hessbrook stated.
Culp also has a booming leg and has the responsibility of kicking, which he has excelled at the last couple of years.
In the first eight games, 47 of Culp’s 60 kickoffs went for a touchback. He has made 50-of-51 point-after attempts and 5-of-6 field goals with a long of 42 yards.
“He’s such a talented kicker that you almost hate to risk putting him out there,” Hessbrook said about Culp. “I truly believe he has a future as a Division I kicker. But with everything he presents for us as a wide receiver, it would be silly to keep him on the sideline. He’s really come along after not catching many passes a year ago.”
Campbell (nine catches, 74 yards, 3 TDs) has seen limited action at receiver this year due to an ankle injury, the second straight season an injury has slowed him. But as he nears 100 percent, look for him to get more reps in the postseason.
Ithaca completed its regular season with a 9-0 record Friday night with a 38-6 victory at Carrollton, running its regular season win streak to 73 straight.
Culp caught a 17-yard TD pass from Bentley to open the scoring and later booted a 24-yard field goal.
If the Yellowjackets are to once again make a deep postseason run, expect the senior-laden group of wide receivers to play an important role.
“We’re blessed to have such great talent at depth at that position,” Hessbrook added. “It definitely makes Joey’s job a little easier.”