Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
WAVERLY — If there’s anything for certain in this world, it’s that Waverly’s Phoenix Wolf seems to be always open.
The electric wideout has spent the past four seasons terrorizing defenses and making the most of his opportunities while helping a dynamic offense come into its own.
Earlier this month, Wolf made a commitment to continue making defenders look foolish — just at the next level — as the senior announced his commitment to Indiana Wesleyan University.
“IWU was my first visit and I fell in love instantly. I was surrounded by great coaches and amazing facilities,” Wolf said. “The culture they’ve created is amazing and there was no doubt in my mind I wanted to be a part of it.”
This past season, Wolf was as advertised. He caught a team-high 58 passes for 674 yards, an average of 11.6 yards per catch, and nine touchdowns. That was in just nine games and for an offense that averaged 45.1 points per game.
CREDIT: Renee Nemeth/SOSA
“My five older brothers helped me throughout everything, from training me to be the player I am today, supporting me, and helping me through the recruiting process,” Wolf said. “I also couldn’t do this without my mom, dad, and step dad for raising me to become the man I am today.”
When he gets to IWU, he’ll reunite with former teammate Payton Shoemaker, as well as Southeastern’s Lane Ruby. The Wildcats’ season was, of course, cancelled due to COVID this past fall.
But in 2019, the team finished 6-4 overall with a 3-3 mark in the Mid-State Football Association.
“I’m most looking forward to creating a brotherhood with my new teammates and coaches and becoming a better football player,” Wolf said.
You may remember that Wolf was the recipient of a game-winning two-point conversion this past fall, one that beat and dethroned Wheelersburg as the Southern Ohio Conference champs.
That win was just one part of a superb season the Tigers put together. They ended their playoff run with a last-second loss to Clinton-Massie after beating Norwood and Archbishop McNicholas by sizable margins.
Wolf overcame an injury to be a part of that group, one that won the school’s first outright SOC title since 2006.
“I want to be remembered for overcoming my ankle injury and having an incredible 8-1, SOC champion season,” Wolf said.