‘WHEELS’ SPINS FOR 342 YARDS
West Mifflin RB Jimmy Wheeler lives up to nickname in victory against Belle Vernon
West Mifflin’s starting running back says you can call him Jimmy, James or Jim.
“Some people call me ‘Wheels,’ ” he said.
Pressed on the matter, he said he prefers Jimmy.
To Belle Vernon on Friday night, Jimmy Wheeler was simply “uncatchable.”
It seemed every time Belle Vernon’s defense looked up, there was Wheeler speeding past everyone for another big gain at James Weir Stadium.
By the time the “Wheels” on West Mifflin’s bus went round and round for the final time midway through the fourth quarter, Wheeler had 342 yards on 24 carries and the Titans clobbered Belle Vernon, 48-14, in a key WPIAL Class AAA Big Nine Conference game.
This was only the second start in the career of Wheeler, a 5-foot-8, 165pound junior who played sparingly last year as a sophomore behind Shamar Greene.
Wheeler scored three touchdowns on runs of 33, 75 and 69 yards and had 11 runs of 10 yards or more.
“We knew his future could be bright,” West Mifflin coach Ray Braszo said after his team rolled Belle Vernon for 528 yards rushing.
Bright? Heck, Wheeler’s star was blinding to Belle Vernon (1-1, 1-1 Big Nine).
After running for 125 yards in the season opener, Wheeler surpassed that total early in the second quarter and went on to help West Mifflin lift its record to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
“I think I’m opening some eyes,” Wheeler said. “Coming into the season, no one knew about me.”
Now the whole WPIAL should know.
“He’s probably the fastest kid I’ve ever coached,” said Braszo, a veteran coach who has had his share of speedy runners. “He’s stronger than he looks, too.”
West Mifflin led by only 21-14 at halftime, but Wheeler broke the Leopards’ resolve with two long runs in the third quarter.
Belle Vernon opened the second half by driving to the West Mifflin 24 before turning the ball over on downs. On first down, Wheeler then ran 1 yard. On second down, he broke through the line and outraced everyone for a 75-yard touchdown.
West Mifflin started its next possession on the 31. On the first play, Wheeler took off on a 69-yard touchdown run, and the rout was on.
“My line is unreal,” Wheeler said. “I didn’t know they had that in them to open holes like that. I give all the credit to my line.”
West Mifflin quarterback Derrick Fulmore is like having another running back in the backfield. He has completed only two passes in two games, but he had 87 yards rushing on 10 attempts against Belle Vernon and scored on runs of 49 and 19 yards.
Belle Vernon sophomore quarterback Travis Snyder was impressive, completing 10 of 14 for 135 yards, and running back Anthony Levis rushed for 119 yards on 16 attempts.
But the Leopards didn’t have the big-play ability of West Mifflin.
Still, Belle Vernon trailed by only 7 points at halftime.
Fulmore scored on a 19-yard run with 24.8 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Titans a twotouchdown lead. But Snyder drove the Leopards for a score, hitting Adam Ferita on a 21-yard touchdown play with 5.8 seconds left in the half. Ferita also caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Snyder.
“They had us on the ropes at halftime when it was 21-14,” Braszo said.
But Wheeler came out swinging in the second half.