High School Sports

By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer

Robert E. Lee senior Chase Wiley caught one pass last Friday against Lufkin.

It went for a 2-yard touchdown.

The fullback also registered five carries. His first went for 13 yards, second for 12 and third for a 12-yard touchdown. He ended the game with 44 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

Not a bad varsity debut.

"It was pretty fun, it exceeded any expectations I had for it," Wiley said.

It's taken four years for Wiley to appear in a varsity football team picture, despite showing promise as a freshman.

The delay was because of Wiley's decision to stop playing football.

"Freshman year I played a full season of football and full season of baseball, and at spring training I was just worn out," Wiley said. "I was like 'I don't want to start another season' so I decided I would just stay in baseball. I was ready for a break."

Wiley played JV baseball for Lee as a sophomore and earned a starting outfield spot last year.

He also decided to revisit playing football.

"The past two years, all of my friends were down on the field and I was up in the stands by myself," Wiley said. "It wasn't as fun and I wanted to be down there with them � I wanted to see how I could do, to see if I could still do it, so I got back in."

Wiley made up for lost time by scoring REL's first touchdown of the season. His rushing score occurred on a trap play up the middle with Wiley coming through the line untouched.

"The line opened it up real nice," Wiley said. "The whole first half, really anyone could've run through (those holes)."

Lee head coach Mike Owens said Wiley was an unexpected and welcome addition to the backfield.

"You always say had he been through the offseason a couple more years and all that, he'd be a little bigger, little stronger and probably a little better," Owens continued. "But he's still a good player, a good athlete. He's got some speed and some savvy about him. He's smart and a great kid."

The Red Raiders next face Longview, a team REL hasn't beaten since 2003.

Wiley is 1-0 against the Lobos as the Lee freshmen team beat Longview in 2005 at Lobo Stadium, He is anxious to help Lee end its losing streak against the former district rival.

"Even from baseball, you don't want to lose to Longview; that is the No. 1 team you want to beat, and I imagine that carries over to every sport," Wiley said. "I definitely want to get a win this Friday against Longview."

Raider Rap:

Wiley's older brother Carter is a former REL baseball player � his father Scott is a pastor for First Baptist Church of Tyler, President of Robert E. Lee Dugout Club and announcer for Lee baseball games.

Chase Wiley
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