Arlington Connection

Riley Wilson wanted to play college football and he believed playing the quarterback position presented the best opportunity for him to get there. So Wilson took a chance following his sophomore year, transferring from Yorktown to Wakefield for an opportunity to be the Warriors’ starting signal caller.

While the move offered opportunity, it also presented challenges. Wilson left a Yorktown program that had reached back-to-back region championship games for a Wakefield program that had not won more than two games in a season since 2008. As a junior, Wilson and first-year Wakefield head coach Wayne Hogwood, who spent seven seasons as a Yorktown assistant, led the Warriors to a 3-7 record in 2013.

Now a senior, Wilson has his sights set on committing to a college football program and helping Wakefield improve in 2014. Wilson recently participated in a Q&A via email with The Connection.

*Connection: Are you interested in playing college football?

Wilson: Yes, I am very interested in playing college football at the highest level possible, whether D-III or D-I.

*Connection: Are you committed anywhere?

Wilson: No, I am not committed anywhere yet, although I have a handful of colleges that keep in contact with me regularly and I hope to commit somewhere by the end of the season.

*Connection: You transferred from Yorktown to Wakefield after your sophomore year to get more playing time, correct? You're entering your second season with the Warriors. Do you feel you made the right choice?

Wilson: I transferred to Wakefield because I have been told by many coaches and football evaluators that I have the size, strength and athleticism to play quarterback at a high level. I thought quarterback was my best-suited position to showcase myself. At Yorktown there was a QB a year ahead of me and QB my age, and because I am able to be effective in other positions like WR and LB, I was told that I would not be given an opportunity to play QB because the depth chart was already filled. Even though recently I have been talking to multiple schools about being recruited as a linebacker/safety and wide receiver (positions I would’ve played at Yorktown), I am happy with transferring and having my starting QB role because it allows me to take charge of the team and get myself noticed by colleges and the football community.

*Connection: How do you feel now compared to when you first transferred to Wakefield?

Wilson: I am a lot more comfortable in my environment at Wakefield now. At first I had no idea who anyone was on the football team, and whether I would get along with anybody or not, but now the team and I have jelled together closely and we are hungry to aim for county champs and really be competitive this year.

*Connection: What was the most difficult part of transferring to a struggling program after playing for a perennial winner?

Wilson: Working with teammates who were very inexperienced and who haven’t been groomed to be disciplined football players was the main struggle and point of frustration for me. As a sophomore, I was used to be being pushed hard in football since eighth grade, but the start of the junior season, I had to take the role of doing the pushing and trying to encourage and motivate my teammates to be successful. That message has definitely made its mark and has lingered into this year. The general vibe and confidence this year has been great and I am excited to see what this season makes of it.

*Connection: What was the most difficult non-football part of changing schools?

Wilson: The environment at Wakefield is very different than at Yorktown, and the drive is decently far away for a 17-year-old’s morning commute, but in order to be successful I knew I had to make many sacrifices, such as leaving my friends of 10-plus years behind and to be more committed to my school and football obligations. All in all, nothing was difficult to adjust to, I just had to be willing to make the change.

*Connection: Last season, Wakefield won three games for the first time since 2008. What are the expectations entering this season?

Wilson: We are returning a large majority of players this season, both offensively and defensively. We have put forth a lot of effort in the offseason, whether it’s working on skill game or lifting weights, and we have been blessed with a beautiful new facility and top-of-the-line helmets, shoulder pads and jerseys. Last year, we went from virtually having no confidence into having a little bit of confidence, and that’s what made all the difference. Because our team is working with the same coaches, and has grown more familiar with our football plays and strategies, it should allow us to focus on playing as aggressively and competitively as we possibly can, and that’s all I can ask for. Expectations are set high this year because it’s important that we keep building on top of last year’s progress, and ultimately turn the Wakefield Warrior football program into something that will be recognized with respect around the region.

*Connection: What was your favorite part about playing football at Wakefield as a junior?

Wilson: I liked the feeling that I contributed to the team and made a large impact on the general attitude toward Warrior Football. I really enjoyed meeting kids who like doing the same things as I do, such as playing football, and having fun playing it with them. I had a lot of pressure on my shoulders, especially playing against and in front of my friends and peers at Yorktown, but knowing that Wakefield had a successful season gives me a great feeling of accomplishment.

*Connection: Do you play any other sports at Wakefield?

Wilson: Varsity basketball, but knee troubles kept me out the whole season.

*Connection: What is your favorite movie? Why?

Wilson: ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ because it has many themes to it like brotherhood, violence, history, humor, but also gives me adrenaline, like being in a real combat zone.

*Connection: What is your favorite hobby outside of football?

Wilson: I work at a local sports bar called Thirsty Bernie’s, which takes up two days of my week, but I also find myself a lot of times playing Xbox and napping after a long day of working out or being on my feet.

*Connection: What location is the farthest you have traveled from the Washington, D.C. metro area?

Wilson: Trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, for a wedding

*Connection: Are you a pro sports fan? If so, who are your favorite teams?

Wilson: Washington Redskins and Wizards. Strictly a hometown fan.

*Connection: Do you have a favorite pro athlete(s)?

Wilson: I’m a Russell Wilson fan, not because of the same initials and last name, but because I admire his ability to be such a threat in the NFL at his size. Being 5 feet 10 is a huge disadvantage at QB, when the average NFL lineman is over 6 feet 3.