Like many offensive linemen, Jacobs junior Jimmy Wormsley once entertained thoughts of playing a higher profile position.
“I always had a dream of maybe playing a little linebacker, back before I was in high school,” Wormsley said. “I was going to do it. I ended up getting the striper rule — you know, you’re too big of a guy and you’ve got to play up at a higher age level.
“So I automatically went to the line.”
Wormsley, who is 6-foot-2, 280 pounds, was the only full-time freshman starter Jacobs coach Bill Mitz has ever suited up. Now he’s starting at a new position, left guard.
“I’d say he found his niche,” said Wormsley’s father, Jim.
A former lineman for Dundee-Crown and Purdue, Jim Wormsley coached his son’s teams through eighth grade and now coaches the line at Wheeling.
So it seems fate received an assist in determining Jimmy Wormsley would play on the offensive line.
“I guess it’s no surprise, really, with his size and my background,” Jim Wormsley said. “But Jimmy’s blocking comes from years trying to perfect his blocking technique and footwork every day.”
From youth football through sophomore year, Wormsley played center, right guard or tackle. After a season-opening 35-0 loss to Huntley, Wormsley was moved from right tackle to left guard.
“Coach wanted to get more size on the front line,” Wormsley said. “Moving me let another bigger guy come in at right tackle who hasn’t been a guard, (sophomore) Cade Portell. We had some trouble getting the run going and needed a better push.
“Guard is more of a natural position for me, anyway.”
Wherever Wormsley plays, quarterback Chris Katrenick is thankful.
“He’s a beast now,” Katrenick said. “He was already good as a freshman and sophomore. Now it’s insane.”
With Wormsley at his new position, Jacobs beat Dundee-Crown 14-0. The Golden Eagles, who host Cary-Grove Friday, also gave Katrenick time to throw for five touchdowns last week in a 35-28 comeback win over Crystal Lake South.
On the left side of the line, Wormsley plays next to 303-pound tackle Cade Purifoye.
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“Really, in our first game we had three new faces on the line and only one senior,” Wormsley said. “That made it tough. We lacked chemistry, hadn’t played a game together.
“I think it was just a big wake-up call for the team overall. You kind of go out there and you’re not as good as you think you are. Especially to get shut out, that hurt. But then we had a great week of practice before Dundee-Crown and even better before the South game.”
A switch in Jacobs’ blocking techniques this season made the size of Wormsley and Purifoye an even greater asset.
“This year is the first one we’ve gone to more of a zone blocking scheme in the running game,” Wormsley said. “We ran a lot of traps before and pulled.”
Wormsley has received interest from Central Michigan and Illinois State, among others. Colleges like the versatility Wormsley shows on the line.
“There’s no doubt about that,” Mitz said. “He probably won’t play at tackle at the next level, but the schools talking to him consider him a center.”
Wormsley enjoyed playing center partly because there’s more involved than blocking.
“You’ve got an advantage,” he said. “Your hand is already back out of your step. You’re in position to deliver. I’m calling out line changes now at guard, already, and that’s something a center does.
“It’s pretty nice, too, because when you’re center you’re the first guy to move the ball.”
It’s not linebacker, but for a blocker that’s high profile.
Twitter @genechamberlain
FIVE GAMES TO WATCH
Cary-Grove at Jacobs
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
What to watch: Jacobs (2-1, 2-1 Fox Valley) must continue establishing Loren Strickland’s running or Chris Katrenick’s passing will get bogged down against Cary-Grove (2-1, 2-1) and its dominant defense.
Huntley at Hampshire
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
What to watch: Huntley (2-1, 2-1 Fox Valley) will rely on running back Mike Ahmer and quarterback Eric Mooney against Hampshire (2-1, 2-1), which has allowed 775 rushing yards.
St. Charles East at St. Charles North
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
What to watch: St. Charles East (3-0, 1-0 Upstate Eight River) last beat its rival in 2013. Saints running backs Nick Garlisch and Justin Jett are keys to upending St. Charles North (3-0, 1-0).
West Chicago at Larkin
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
What to watch: Larkin (1-2) needs better line play to open running lanes for Kindrel Morris and David Hibbler against injury-plagued West Chicago (0-3), which was decimated by Bartlett’s offense last week.
Bartlett at South Elgin
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When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
What to watch: South Elgin (1-2, 1-0 Upstate Eight Valley) dropped 31 points on Glenbard East behind running back Markee Prude last week, and should look off tackle against Bartlett (2-1, 1-0).