Ryan Whitwell waited patiently to show off his skills on offense for Batavia.
The senior running back played “a little bit” on the varsity as a sophomore at linebacker. Last season, he carved out a full-time role on defense, this time at safety.
Does that help? Does it ever.
“You can see things before the play starts,” said Whitwell, who is listed at a sturdy 6-foot and 210 pounds. “You can see where people are headed by the way they look.
“It’s easy for me to see how my blocks are going to be set up and hit the hole I have to hit.”
Whitwell hit those holes well Saturday in Chicago, rushing for 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries as the Bulldogs began the season with a surprisingly easy 43-6 win over Phillips.
He also caught two passes for 27 yards.
On the opening series, Whitwell ended up accounting for 52 yards as Batavia (1-0) — ranked No. 2 by The Associated Press in Class 7A — mounted a 14-play, 81-yard drive.
“I consider myself an all-around back who blocks, catches and runs,” he said.
His background playing defense gives Whitwell a unique perspective on how to locate weak spots. He has the power to run between the tackles, the speed to get to the perimeter.
“A couple of our front line backs are big guys who run hard and also block well,” Batavia coach Dennis Piron said. “That helps everything click for us.
“We are lucky this year in that we have a couple of guys who can do damage.”
Whitwell is a player who metes out his own brand of punishment in that multipronged attack. His bruising and punishing style sets a dominant tone.
“I want to get as many yards as possible every play,” he said. “I only like having to hit someone if I have to. If you hit someone, you’re more likely to be tackled.”
He has the ideal complement in junior Charlie Whelpley, another big and versatile running back who brings prized variables to the backfield.
Like Whitwell, Whelpley comes to the position from a different point of view as a converted quarterback.
“Playing quarterback means I know all the plays and where to line up,” he said.
The 6-2, 210-pound Whelpley displayed breakaway speed, scoring his first career TD on a 34-yard run in the third quarter. He also caught two passes for 24 yards.
He’s an even bigger back than Whitwell but also a devastating downhill blocker.
“I just like hitting people, finding holes and running,” Whelpley said “Getting off tackles is my top strength. I also use my size and power to make big holes for any running back to get through.”
In Whitwell and Whelpley, Batavia has centerpiece players to help diversify and open up the attack.
“They picked up some big plays when they had to,” Piron said. “They’re just good athletes — tough, strong and physical kids. Things have worked out well for them and for us.”
Whelpley’s older sister, Ashley, was a standout soccer player who graduated two years at Batavia. Charlie demonstrated his own foot skills as a punter.
Whelpley’s kick in the second quarter pinned down Phillips and set up a safety by Jordan Buckley, a 6-4, 240-pound defensive tackle making his first career start.
Buckley broke through for a two-yard tackle for loss in the end zone. He obliterated the Wildcats’ offensive line, hounding the quarterback and shutting down running lanes.
“Playing in this beautiful stadium in Chicago was just a great experience,” Buckley said. “I had shivers when I first went out there. I wondered if I could even do it.”
Buckley did, notching three tackles for loss. His pressure helped Batavia produce three interceptions.
“I was everywhere,” he said.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
