Younger Wissman a key player for Cougars
By CONOR NICHOLL
During the first few weeks of the season, the Otis-Bison prep football team started junior Mike Hlavaty and sophomore Patrick Piper at running back. In midseason, though, Piper missed nine school days and several games because of illness.
Freshman Dylan Wissman, brother of senior quarterback/safety Kevin Wissman, stepped in for Piper after playing in a reserve role.
"It was a big shock at first, but I got used to it after awhile in practice, the first couple of days," Dylan said.
Wissman has emerged as one of one of the top freshman running backs in Kansas and helped Otis-Bison become a dominant Eight-Man, Division II program. Wissman and the Cougars both boosted their season resumes with a 72-26 road victory against Victoria on Friday night. The Knights were ranked No. 1 in the state and carried a streak of 21 straight regular season victories.
"This is probably one of our better all-around games," head coach Travis Starr said.
"Our offensive line really got after it. Our running backs run really hard tonight. Defensively, we were near perfect in the first half."
Otis-Bison moved to 8-0, 4-0 in District 7 and clinched its first district championship since 2003 and third playoff berth since 1995.
The Cougars remain the highest scoring offense in Kansas with 478 points. The Cougars are ranked No. 2 in this week's statewide media poll. Defending champion Hanover (7-1) is ranked No. 1.
"It makes you feel special because you are part of the team that went 8-0," Dylan said.
Dylan rushed for 93 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown versus the Knights' defense that had permitted just 107 rushing yards per game. Overall, Wissman, helped the Cougars' strong offensive line, has 457 rushing yards this season, and has scored six touchdowns.
"It's fun," he said of the line that includes senior Matt Suppes and juniors Robert Kolas, Josh Krom, Dominic Trapp and Jackie Cornwell. "Makes you feel safe."
Among freshmen, the state leader is David Brown, who has picked up 900 yards for Labette County. Only other three freshmen running backs, none in the eight-man ranks, have more than 250 rushing yards. Wissman ranks second among freshman on MaxPreps.com
"The freshman Wissman ran extremely hard," Victoria head coach Doug Oberle said. "He took some shots and to his credit, he got back up and he got after it. He did a great job."
In addition, Hlavaty collected 111 yards and Kevin Wissman rushed for 164 yards and five touchdowns. Otis-Bison yielded the worst regular season loss for Victoria since a 70-20 setback to Sylvan Grove/Sylvan Unified in 2001.
"He is running really hard, both of them, neither one of them are slouches in there," Starr said. "Both of them get in there and do their thing when they are called on to do it. Dylan runs really hard, understands, and has good cutbacks and good vision. We are going with him right now."
Kevin Wissman continued his terrific season with another big game. He was responsible for six touchdowns and continually broke tackles for long runs. Wissman bumped his season totals to 1,556 total yards and 35 touchdowns. Overall, Otis-Bison rolled up 368 rushing yards.
"We wanted to stay parallel up front and not give him any lanes to run the football," Oberle said. "To his credit, he didn't need a whole lot of help. We tried to be sound and to be square up front and not get a lot of penetration. We felt like he would take advantage of any holes we created. Even with that, he still beat us. He did a good job."
In addition, Wissman has served as a mentor for his young brother.
"He tells me what to do sometimes," Dylan said. "It's cool."
Kevin quickly spoke up.
"Sometimes a little too strict, but sometimes you need it," he said with a smile.
While Kevin stands 6-1 and weighs 190 pounds, Dylan is 5-foot-9, 150 pounds. Both have a mop of curly blond hair. Off the field, Kevin says the brothers "get along."
"It depends on the day," Dylan said.
Everything changes on the field.
"We are little different," Kevin said. "We have our days, but on the football field we are brothers."
"They are real competitive kids," Starr said. "That is what keeps them motivated and going."
The brothers helped Otis-Bison score on every single possession versus Victoria.
Late in the game, Dylan tacked on a 2-yard TD run that extended the Cougars' lead to 66-26. When Dylan crossed the goal line, Kevin celebrated in the backfield and pointed to the goal line at his brother.
"It starts with the line," Kevin said.
"Josh Krom came through and he nailed the crap out of someone. Makes a big hole for Dylan. It's cool to see your little brother running through there."