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G-Men, Wilson expect big year

GARRETTSVILLE — In what is expected to be a rebound year for a young Garfield squad, one of its elder statesmen in Dylan Wilson has one final year left to leave his mark on the program.

The G-Men finished last season with a 4-5 record as injuries took their toll on the team.

“Our record didn’t show who we really were,” Wilson said. “There were injuries everywhere and a lot of issues that held us back.”

Wilson, a tackle on both sides of the ball, isn’t discouraged by 2017 though and thinks the G-Men have a real shot at the playoffs.

“I think we have a good shot at winning the Portage Trail Conference this year,” Wilson said. “We have really good running backs returning and three of our linemen returning, and we have a lot of secondary returning. We have a great coach in coach (Mike) Moser. He’s the bomb.”

Wilson, the largest player on Garfield’s roster at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, has received praise from his coaches for his versatility and athleticism.

Wilson shifted around on the defensive line last year, and his coach had no worries about how he would perform.

“He’s a specimen to me,” Moser said. “He’s got to be on the field. It’s his athleticism.”

Wilson’s goal this year is simple. Like any player, the big lineman wants one thing: to win as much as possible.

“Leading the team to a 10-0 season hopefully, getting a lot of wins and improving from last year,” Wilson said.

Earlier this month, Wilson received his first college offer. A Division II school, the Hillsdale College Chargers in Hillsdale, Michigan, asked him to join their team next year. It’s opportunity that excites Wilson.

“I hope,” Wilson said when asked about playing in college. “That’s my plan.”

The two-year starter is heading into his third season starting at tackle for the G-Men. He started at right tackle as a sophomore before shifting to the left — arguably the most important position on the offensive line. Last season, Wilson made the All-Northeast Inland District team for Division V as an honorable mention.

Whenever a player’s time begins to wind down, there’s bound to be reminiscing. While that’s also the case for Wilson, he’s just as focused on making this season as great as he can before he ends his tenure at Garfield. He’d like to top the playoff run he and his team took in 2016, Wilson’s sophomore year.

“In 10 years, I’m going to look back and really appreciate the time I played with these boys,” Wilson said. “It’s the best feeling in the world. Specifically the playoff run we took a few years ago. I think we can go for it again, maybe even further.”

Business remains unfinished for the Garfield senior class.

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