By Spencer Waugh
Logan Daily News
MARIETTA — For fans who feel bored watching the same old offense every week, playing the Marietta Tigers (1-5) should be refreshing.

While Marietta’s offense bears a striking resemblance to the wing-T, you have to look hard to see the resemblance.

The Tigers started the season with a 59-20 drubbing of Morgan, but since then have dropped five consecutive games — all on the road. The Tigers’ losses have come to Parkersburg (28-7), New Philadelphia (58-7), Warren (35-19), Parkersburg South (48-19), and Jackson (35-19).
For second-year head coach Andy Schob, a combination of injuries (the Tigers have lost 17 players for the season in the first six weeks) and playing on the road have stymied the chance for success.

Still, because of the Tigers’ quirky offense, led by running back Perry Wheeler (6-0, 190, senior), they are a dangerous opponent. Wheeler has rushed for 704 yards and nine touchdowns on 122 carries (over five yards per rush) and also has grabbed seven passes for 124 yards and another score.

Wheeler will line up in the backfield with quarterback Matt McKitrick (5-10, 163, sophomore). McKitrick has rushed for 131 yards on 29 carries and has completed 33 of 73 passes for 598 yards and six touchdowns against six interceptions. McKitrick and Wheeler will both line up in an off-set shotgun and each will take direct snaps.

Morgan Wynn (5-10, 165, junior) and Dustin Baker (5-10, 171, sophomore) will line up as the slot backs and help the Tigers use motion and misdirection to confuse opposing defenses.

Wynn, who started the season as the Tigers’ quarterback, has six catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 58 yards on 18 carries. Baker has 17 yards and a touchdown via the ground.

The receiving corps took a hit last week when leading receiver Billy Grizer (5-11, 170, senior) broke his foot and will miss the rest of the season after catching 19 passes for 380 yards and three scores.

Look for Tyler Davis (5-11, 145, senior) and Adam Arnold (6-2, 170, senior) to line up at split end in his place.

Up front, the Orange and Black have Keith Whealdon (6-3, 305, junior) and Todd Stacy (5-11, 239, senior) at tackle, Wes Wagner (6-1, 190, junior) and Justin Sturm (6-3, 185, senior) at guard, and Keifer Johnson (5-9, 281, sophomore) at center.

Marietta, which has allowed over 37 points per game, will line-up in 3-4 and 3-5 defensive fronts, led by linebackers Lance Weppler (6-2, 215, senior), Jake Zide (5-10, 195, senior), Wheeler, and Baker. Tim McCauley (5-10, 195, junior) adds depth.

On the defensive line, Wagner and Sturm are the ends with Whealdon plugging holes at nose guard.

The secondary has Wynn and McKitrick at the cornerback spots while Arnold is the strong safety. Mitchel Gearhart (5-5, 139, sophomore) or Tyler Davis (5-11, 145, senior) will replace Grizer at free safety.

Weppler handles the punting duties while Wynn will do the placekicking for the Tigers.

Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com offers his scouting report of the Chiefs’ opponent every week in The Logan Daily News.