Friday, August 25, 2000
Cincinnati Hills League spotlight
Transfer Wynn fitting right in at Reading
By John Schutte
Enquirer contributor
The biggest problem facing Reading coach Ken Minor this season may be deciding how to use one of Ohio's most explosive running backs.
Junior DeShawn Wynn, one of Street and Smith's top 50 junior running backs, transferred from Lockland to Reading this summer, giving the Blue Devils offense instant big-play capabilities.
“We haven't made a lot of changes on offense,” Minor said. “I still don't know what he does best. We'll just learn as we go.”
Wynn may be the spark needed by a Reading team that struggled on offense a year ago.
The Blue Devils lost five starters early in the season and scored a league-low 99 points.
Minor isn't overly optimis tic.
“We would love to go from worst to first in the league, but one person doesn't make a team,” Minor said. “We let the kids know that from Day 1.”
Wynn seems to be a natural fit for Reading. Already familiar with several players, Wynn has meshed well with the team.
“Everyone already knows him,” Minor said. “He already feels like part of the family.”
Minor's biggest task in practice has been to transform Wynn into a more well-rounded back.
In the past, Wynn, a state qualifier in the 100-yard dash, has relied mostly on his speed.
At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, he is big for a running back at a smaller high school.
“He relies too much on his speed. He needs to learn to combine his speed and power,” Minor said. “I want to see him become more aggressive. He is starting to give great hits in practice.”
Wynn will need help up front to realize his full potential. As with any good running back, a strong offensive line is necessary for success.
“The last thing to jell on a team is the offensive line,” Minor said. “At times in practice I think we will be really good. Other times, I think we will be average.”
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